The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
The COncili Plenarii BaltmOrenSis,and the
American Branch Of the Church.
Father Stack, Bishop OHara, Father Keeper
and Judge Maynard interviewed.
AFfDkvITs AND COUNTER AFFlDAWys.

Five MldAAOm CafhOsAcS Await
ing the Result OF the Suit.
wILLIANsPoRT, Pa, JAM 8, 1872.
The more one looks into tho celebrated Issue be-
tween Bishop OHara aud Father Stack the moro
hopelessiy involved do his reasoning powers pe.
come. Logic, law and equity are all at sea There
are apparent for believing Ia the justice Of
the defendant and just as weghsy ones for posi-
lively asserting the correctness OF the views OF the
plaintiff.
The controversy was brought about by Bishop
OHara removing Father stack from the church
over which he presided. Stack "Mr. Stack" as
Bishop O'Hara nov persists In calling him, did
something almost unknown In thu annals OF the
Catholic Church In tins couniry-ne reDelled He
called the civil courts to his aid, and cited his Su-
per10r to snow cause thing never before attempted
In America.
Whether the Bsnop can be made to explain his
reasons and to civil court Is the great question:
question on wncn hinges many OF the preroxa.
ves Of the Bishops, In America at least, If not in
Europe.
Father Stack claims the Civil Court has jurisdic.
uOn-Bishop O'Hara denies It; ana acre, In a few
words, Ia tho case. 1t has beea generally admitted
that the Bishop had causes for removing Stack, but
It Ia not the practice 10 give reason. When q
priest Is ordained he promises to 'obey and reveren
Its moi his place to ask questions any more than It
y The privilege OF the priv tie soldier to question
the orders that bid him to the field Of carnage
and Father Stack. In his present attitude,
stands sngiy and alone the FIRST rebel
me Church has known for many q day.
Many wears ago priest in PHILADELPHIA after
having been suspended continued to administer his
once in ms church for eighteen months, but o grad
nal withdrawal Of the sympathy or former friends
and absolute refusal Of all priests to near his con-
1cesi0ns finally preyed on his mind to such an OK.
tsnt that he abandoned everything and went to
Rome In search Of absoution. wnicn, after various
penances. was granted, and he ultimately died In
fun favor with tue Pope Stacks case is FAR differ.
ant He goes to court Of law and prays for its In
serference In matter of ecclesiastical concern ana
which, II IL claimed BY the Bishop is matter for
adjustment BY an ecclesiastical court only, II any.
AN INTERVIEW WI II FATHER STACK.
Your representative recently sought the parties to
me case, and had lengthy interviews with both.
Father Stack was found at the Colon made Hotel in
Philadelphia on Sunday evening. and request for
verbal information touching MS case was most
cheerfully complied with. He mad, he said, written
the HERALD, not tor publication but for the purpose
Of guarding 1t against false view Of the merits OF
the case. He was much elated ut the course the
Judge (GambIe) had taken in his favor and was evi-
IDENTITY well pleased with the prospect OF being in.
servlewed."
As he pointed to o chair ana removed his hat had
IN opportunity to study his "make up" Age about
thirty, he presents the appearance OF one no has
lived temporarily, becomes the priest ana forces
ON you the impression that ne desires to be consid
sred good-natured. His physique is good and his
features regular; thick black wavy hair and sharp
piercing eye, which last he uses to good advantage
take II, for he takes one In at O glance, then his
features relax into calmuess and his heart Wits.
pers "all right have ciphered you," and he is
ready to talk or listen.
''Father Stack" said, al desire to ask you few
questions with regard to the legal proceedings at
williamsport, IN which you are one OF the inter.
ested principals"
JURISDICTION OF BISHOP o'HARA.
Father STAcK-Well. you Of course know the
Bishop attempted to remove me.
CONSEQUENTLY you claim that he has no
right TO remove YOUR
Father stack claim that he has no right to re.
move me without cause or trial.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are your reasons for max.
ing such claimi
Father SrAcK-Canon law forbids It.
CoRREsPoNpENr-Blshop O'Hsra says canon law
y not In operation In America.
Father SrACK-Can0n law Is In operation whcr.
ever there are fixed bishoprics.
CONSEQUENTLY the bishops IN America re-.
eognize the canon TO any extent wnaieveri
Father HTAoK-They freely recognize It to the ex.
eont Of securing their own class rights ana powers
OoRREsroNDENT-Why DO they not fully recog.
Mise ~
Father srAoK-The extension OF canon law to
secure the rights Of priests would diminish the pre-.
negatives OF the bishops, aud break up their arb.
uary power.
CoRREsPoNDBSr-wny DO they dare ignore tire
nights Of priestsf
Father STACK might answer BY another
queetion-"why are men swayed BY the lust OF
:" a. De Maistre says.
CoRRRsPoNDENT-Are not the priests discontinued
ana less enicient under such state Of thingsS
Father sTACK--Certainly. The best talent Is COM
paraaively obscured ami the best energies lost to
We Church BY Cramping their manhood and sinking
their individual character.
CoRREspoNDENT-Be more explicit, please. DO
not yet understand your meaning.
TYRANNY IN TRAINING COLLEGES.
Father STACK-Tn the training Of our colleges
the Bishops cndesvor 10 cast every student 10 the
same mould. and bring him into the ministerial
harness with spirit broken and no anguarities OF
STRONG personal character left.
CORRESPONDENCE Why do not the priests In min
Cling with tine world overcome this subJecton7
Father STACK-They are under the closest
espionage. There have not been wanting men Of
their own order-sycophants Of the Bishops-reaey
and willing to PICK up every little n,w against
their brothers ana report IL at headquarters,
saowins ~ BaboD'e intcrest " .class pSvsE AND