The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-08-13
BISHOP ROSECRAES' REPROOF 10 1
CONGRATULATIONS.
columbus Ohio Columbian. ]

| lCoumbus tOhio) Columblanl
! The following correspondence speaks for
| Itself. We suppress the names of porsons
and locality, in order to save the feelings
of parties who will have to get down" a
| little in order to be Catholics. A Church
| in which the Squire can say Mass is not
worth bothering about:
July %, le7s
Plight Rev Bishop Rosecrans;
Eight ReC. and Dear SRA few weeks ago
Rev - called meeting of the copgrega-
tion and at said meeting STATED the object to
be the building of Pastors house, and the
giving of the present one to the Sisters, and
the present Sisters house he proposed to move
and make two dwelling houses of it for rem {,
$4,000. The same on motion (entertaned by
himself as charman) was disapproved of by a
large majority Of all present (reason, debt aud
hard times). And now, Right Rev. and dear
Father, after said improvements (so-called)
were voted down, he Crew still persists in
running this cor gregatiou in debt. A meeting
last evening was held by mum Der Of members
OF the congregation, aud on motion resolved
that they enter into protest against any debts
or improvements being made at the pres
ent time, and if necessary will take legal
Rev. Sir the above we are instructed to send
you. Hoping you may save US the trouble of
enjoinipg, by staying the work yourself.
Ny Dear Frierd-The courteous tone of your
letter to NE shows that the un-Catholic course
you have adopted in regard to the improve
ignorance and NOT of ill-wiIl.
The course of action you propose to follow
assumes two false and heretiosl principles
l. That the congregation" has any real ex-
tor.
2. That the &c congregation " is in any sense
proprietor or owner of church, parsonage,
schoolhouse ground.
Catholics may go in partnership with one
another in business of any kind. They may
associate socially, bnt they cannot form any
ecclesiastical society unless under the head
ship of priest. All authority to govern in
the Church comes from Christ, through Holy
Orders and Commu Mon with the Apostolic
See. Those who attempt to interfere in any
way with the administration of Church affairs
must show by whom they were ordained, and
what Bishop commissioned them to meddle in
the business of the sanctuary. This is the diff
ference between a Church made by Almig hty
God and one made by man. Those who d . not
like this arrangement can protect themselves
in this country by making Church of their
own. But they cannot remain Catholics and
pursue such q COURSE
The congregation is in no sense owner of the
church or church property, much less the en-
ployer of the pastor. When church, parson-
and mnst be treated as His. 1t is held in trust
for Him by the Bishop of the Diocese, whose
AFFAIRS are arranged in legal form to be
secured to his legitimate successor. The peo-
suited in charity about any proposed improve
nents; but their vote is simply their wish, not
a command to any body. They can secure their
own liberty by refusing to ontrlbute, or, still
further by rspudiating their faith.
In regard to the proposed injunction, any one |
attempting it before civil courts will be ex- |
,ommun Gated, according to the laws of the
Church, in force now for many hundred years.
Hoping that the meetings. which ought not to
De held in any church bui!ding without the |
sanction of the pastor, will resolve to remain |
Catholic AID submit to auth orty, I remain, |
your sincere friend and pastor,
S, II. RosEcRAss,
Bishop of Columbus