New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-21
The Archbishop OF New Orleans in France.

In 1852 the French clergy adopted the
famous propositions that the Pope was pos
sessed only of spiritual and not of civil
or political authority; that his authority
was subject to all ecumenical councils; that
his authority was limited, also, BY the DO.
ltical and ecclesiastical institutions of
France, and that his spiritual DEGREES were
subject to changes unless accepted by the
churches. In 1901 a concordat was con-
cluded between France and the Pope,
which placed all church property into the
hands of government, and limits the mum.
Der of bishops and metropOlitans to sixty.
All these were appointed by government.
No papal bull could be published in France
without the consent of the government 1t
takes Protestant, q politician and an
American to appreciate these "Gallican
liberties"
In France they seem to be almost for
gotten. Even Spain and Austria are making
royal attempts to free themselves from
Roman and Vatican aggressiveness But
France is almost surrendered into the hands
IF Pho Mono and his obedient instruments,
Bishop Dupanloup. Cardinal Bonpechose,
and the Jesuits. The National Assembly
has repealed the law which protected the
national university, and has authorized the
esta blishmeDt of schools under clerical man.
agement. The Bishops hold their synods at
pleasure, they correspond freely with Rome
and publish Roman documents under the
eyes of the French Cabinet Americans. be
they Catholics Tor Protestants, can not but
wonder at such q state of affairs.
Something else than wonder, however
must be expressed at q certain addres IS
which the archbishop of New Orleans pro-
nOuDced a short time since before the
Catholic Congress at Poltiers, in France.
After quoting the Pope, who says: "rhus
far we have had unity of faith among Cath
olies; hencetorth we must also have unity
of action" the American prelate confesses
that forty gears ago people used to be
Catholics for themselves. But now they
have learned of the InternatiOnalists to ur-
derstand the power of solidarity. The cen
fury of Pho NinO must become the century
of Catholic triumphs. When was it easier,
he asks, to establish this Catholic solidarity
than to-day, when it is concluded under a
Pope who has greater authority than any
man known to history! And he offers a
fair contribution towards this solidarity.
FrenchmeD, he concludes, Significantly, "let
me tell you that have left this country
Ihirsy -aght years ago. But am French
man nor the less. In my diocese have
10000 Catholics; 200 900 of these are
Frenchmen, with all the love of their
fathers tor ancient France. Whenever we
do good thing at home, 1t is a comfort to
know that we follow the traditions of our
motner country. ANA we know that the
fate of France is linked to that of the Cath
Ollie church When France suffers, the
church suffers. and the triumphs of France
will be those of the Catholic church,
The archbishop of New Orleans, Ma
pOleOn Perche, it must be remem bered, is a
native of France. That he should aeem to
pledge himself and his diocese to French
and Catholic interests is certainly extrsor-
binary. American citizens are pledged to
interests nearer home; many of them by q
solemn oath This oath, this pledge, pre-
vents an American citizen likewise from as.
Stunning personal and mutual responsibilities
in common with French Catholics and
with French lnternationsls. - Providence
Journal