The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-20
PAYING TO HEAR MASS"

FATHER FLArrERY cRITICIsEs THE STATEMENTS
OF THE HERALD LErTER-wRrrERs.
Father Flattery. of st. Cecia's Church. yesterday
said that sermon to be useful should be practical.
and be practical it should deal with practical sub
jects and since there was now subject occupying
considerable space in the press of the city. which
was of eminontly practical Importance to
Catholics, he would offer few remarks
thereon. Paying to Hear Mass is head
under which appeared in the HERALD letter signed
"Truth" the writer of which had put herself in such
position toward the Church that If she presented
the any Catholic priest she would be refused
dissolution. Such statements were made by
Truth should be met and properly dealt with, for
the people should be instructed in their duties toward
the Church and toward their pastors aud should
know that il they had any grievances they should
bring them to their pastor.
In commenting on the letter of "a Citizen" the
reverend gentleman stated that he was poor Catio-
lie, who took this opportunity to rush into print
statements could only be made with view to mis-
lead. for the time of the mass the lady attended
not stated nor the fact that there
are plenty OF free seats at ST. Joseph's. Not only
this this model Catholic must take the opportunity
to pun on the bad English of the poor doorkeeper
imperfect English? Because his forefathers
had witnstood the attempt OF the Saxon IN
vader to denationaze his language and apostatize
him in his religion. Are these men. and men like
them. to be classed with such Catholics a. 'Cti-
be thing when they know them to be another.
Citizen and every other Catholic i'll the land
knows that there free seats i'll every
Catholic church. and that instead OF being
forced to pay the poor always welcome
aud lovingly looked after. 1t is well known here
and everywhere that there - not and cannot be
cent charged tor hearing mass. Paying to Hear
Mass is abomnation, and revolts against every
thing which know and hold TO be the most sacred.
The person who spoke for Harlem came in for the
greatest share of the preachers indignation. He
was spoken of as a "mountebank and writer of
tissue of most incoherent nonsense" Opening
with a statement. which perhaps was news to some.
but certainly not to Catholics, THAT i'll
Europe religion for the poor well as for the
rich" This the Harlem Traveller might have
found II he had travelled in Harlem instead of travel
ling in Europe lie nigh. also have found that the
Catholics OF America superior to those Of France
anu Italy whom he goriied. lie could have found
i'll Harlem Catholics who had crossed the TO pre-
serve their religion and who were willing to shed
their LIES blood for the truth. Compare all this
with the schsms of the boosted Catholics of France
aud Italy. l tell you. my dear brethren. lived i'll
Italy twelve ycars-twice the time of our Harlem
Truveller'-and had not the love of the faith pc
culiar to Iris Imam l would have LETT Italy
inide Lastly this mo,ntebank appeals from the
house of God to the secular press. which Is actuatcd
only by curiosity and spirit of intermeddling.
What q comment on his Cathoicity