, 1879-03-30
BISHOP GIL1IOUR.
HIS DEFENSE OF Ills PASTORAL CRITICISED.
ro the Editor Of TIE Tribune.

HIS DEFENSE OF HIS PASTORAL CRITICISED.
70 the Editor Of TIE Tribune.
ST. JOSEPH, Mch., March 25.-Bishop GIL
motr's letter in defense Of his pastoral has been
read with interest By all having the future vel
fare of their children ct heart, and none have
taken more pains to digest its contents than
has the writer, whose interest may be attributed
to the fact OF his protesting to be sincere
Catholic, Notwithstanding an inclination to
favor. advancement rather than rotrogradadon.
The reverend gentleman is, or affects to be,
liberal, when assuming that his premises may
be wrong, but in all else his views SAVIOR slightly
of cgotism, as the most liberal mind would infer
from the assertion made in his opening. that
"the position assailed is exceedingly strong,
and that arguments of accusers are unworthy OF
consideration" and this before any arguments
or charges hare been answered or refuted. For
the purpose Of sinpliilcation he assumes there
are but three principal charges preferred, viz:
ilIfberalty, opposition to progress OF the age,
aud desire to destroy the Institutions OF our
country, and proceeds to show that said charges
are ill-foundcd and incongruous. Has he main
tanned bis position,-shoWn conclusiyely that
his opponents arguments arc exceedingly
weakna No. The rc:erend Father admits that
he is ill-bred,-gIoric5 in SO being; saws he is
decidedly opposed to the progress OF the age, aud
that the management OF our institutions should
undergo change, which virtually amounts to
or ought to have the same rights and advantages
accorded them in our public institutions as are
epioyed By Protestants, and that they have,
ii not, it is burning shame and an
should BE- mmfastey Ea9 Teetaa eaasc Te
complain of Indifferent treatment, and I can
assure Bishop Gilulour that members our de-
nomination are not denied access to any OF our
public institutions On account OF belief, and It
seems incredible that State evenly divided
upon the political question should prove less
liberal than Carcy's Black Alichigan.' as the
sons of Ohio are rather favored class just now,
would it not be we'll to send in memorial be-
tween now and March 4, 1851? cannot but be-
licvc that ours is the true Church, and was
founded br our Savior, and this is the belief OF
all Catholics. al we ask tor is to be allowed
the privilege OF sending our children to the best
school the community supports. oe IT pnoilc or
private, and II religion is not tnuEht ar school,
We have full faith in the competency OF our
noble mothers and sisters to instill sense OF
duty and religion that will enable our children
10 understand and appreciate the teachings OF
our pastors with reference 10 the existence OF
God aud the duties devo1Ving upon them In re-
lation thereto.
would say: "Eather, let us look at this
question fairly, impartially! Let us look at
both sides und see whether our skirts are really
US clear as you presume them 10 oe!' 1on
claim that the age is illlberal. Quite sure are
youl If i1liberal III many things, have not the
Protcstants OF this country rcfrained from
speaking t,arshly OF that poor old man OF Gin
cinllali who is now staggering under heavy
burden, aud that, too, when he belongs to q
Church whose ministers denounce as heretics all
not believing as we do? Was the same con-
sidcration shown to Winslow or Beccher's
ucphcw-1ncn of their own clotu.
Have they not been extremely liberal IN this
instance when re consider the howl raised Of
our papers when Protestant minister falls
from grace2 lou say that reycr since the days
of Pagan Rome has the age been SO fliberai:
Even so. But tan 1t not be accounted fors
When think ct the age-the tsbe1'df aSe-th:it
sanctioned the persecution OF Catholics ln
England, Ireland, and Scotland, Of non believers
in Calyinism lin France and Switzerland, Of
others than Puritans in New England, and their
"Blue, Laws,'' of the massacre vi Jews through
out Chr;stendou,, and the 1nqui6lttons OF Spain
ind Portugal, I1or one thank God that the aye
is ilIiberal. When you glance at the history OIL
the Middle Ages, behold man entering the
Eternal City who cries that he has come from
Germany tn the dead of winter, and crossed
mountains OF snow and rivers OF ice. barehead-
cd and bootIess, that he is the Emperor OF
Germany and Graves an audience OF the. fope;
when you remember OF his remaining IN cold
room for three duys and three nights without
food awaiting the pleasure of that most attable
and gracious PoutitI: when the recollection OF
st. Barthulomcw's day comes to mind, when
you imagine yon hear the ncar-rendlng cries OF
victim OF that institution which II not founded
vas certainly couutenanced by the clergy OF
Spain and Portu@al,-when these come to mind
it is high time for YOU to account for the bera1t-
ty of that and the illibcrallty Ut Ibis. Tie aye
INV desire to maintain things as they were.
And in the face Of this you claim that tile Church
cannot, will not, change from time to time ito
SUIT the whims OF the age. Does Pope Leo