The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-04
BISHOPS IND THEIR PRIESTS.
why . Clergyman Wants 90 See Canon Law
In Operation In this Country.

In Operation In this Country.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr Who
ever has attentivey studied the policy OF gov
eminent in the American Catholic Church must
have remarked at least one strange feature
Young cergymen. as a rule. seemed to be pre-
ferred-certainly Of late-to older ones Tor pro-
motion to episcopal honors. II may be- indeed.
that this policy Is inspired simply by feeling
Of charity toward old priests. tho duties OF the
Episcopnte being such that men grown old in
the labors OF the ministry are supposed either
to be unequal to or industrious OF the more
arduous labors Of a bishop. No doubt. a bishop
but too often has troublesome time OF It, and
well is i said. even by bishop still in the honey
moon OF thoi elevation, thatthe miire Is crown
Of thorns. And yet one would suppose for that
reason that men old In experience, ripe in ec-
clesnstcal no less than civil wisdom. and in
ured to pastoral hardships OF every kind. should
be chosen Tor those crowns OF th9rns. Young
with collegiate hOnors, are but too apt TO lack
that cQnsiderateness IN their actions which only
experience can give. or course. this defect in
young bishop Will become less with each sue
ceeding day; but, nevertheless, before perfect
cure Is wrought a deal OF mischief may be- done.
There are, however. not few who ascrihe
this strange feature in the policy OF the Amer
lean church TO mere favorltism on the part OF
those who In this country. have the privilege
OF nominating candidates for vacant sees.
Others still suspect 1t to take rise In the desire
Of the bishops to perpetuate the existing sys-
tenn OF church government. This seems To be
nothing less than a sort OF apsolutisn. which
leaves 10 the Inferior clergy few or no rights.
Tho Introduction Of canon law into the man
agement Of ecclesias affairs Is repugnant,
II not 70 oil. at lenst to majority OF the Amer
canon law 1t is the statutory law Of the Cath
Ollie Church. Certainly many OF the PROVISIONS
Of that law could not now be enforced in the
United States but many also that are not en-
forced might well be and II they were enforced
II would be TO the incalculablc benefit OF reltg-
ion. Now the spirit OF absolutsm. which nj
m a ma q
American bishop, is utterly foreign to the Cath
ollie Church. First OF all, the Pope himself Is
yisers in the world, aud without their counsel
he never moves. Then. where the statutory
law OF the Catholic Church Is in full operation,
every authority subordinate TO that Of the Pope
Is surrounded by so many salutary cheeks that
an abuse OF power is hardly possible. Why is
erning civil life should have given the cue TO
churchman 1t is highly desirable. nay alb
solutcy necessary that the status OF priests in
their duties should be- a little better defined in
respect OF their rights, Priests ought not TO be-
all the freedom accorded TO them 10y the general
legislation Of the Church without fcar Of Incur
| ring the displeHsure Of their bishops.
Now there would no doubt be greater will
| lingness on .he part of bishops to allow to their
priests every Just and proper confederation
| not Of Kindness. for on that score there IL no
| complaint, but OF rigbt-had they themselves.
bei9re 6,c9mlng bishops served IN the ranks i,s
How dignity may turn the mind most unex-
| pectedly lct nm anecdOte Illustrate; preate
| now deceased. when still q Young priest was on
| intimate terms Of friendship with the late dis
| unguished o. A. Brownson and WIS in the
| habit when visiting him. Of expatiating on
| what he WIS pleased To style the tyranny OF
bishops In the treatment OF their priests. After
| he himself became n bishop Dr. BrOwusOn
| heard him open up teethcmc in quite n dlnrrcnl
| strain. why. Bishop" exclaimed the ID ,ctor
| since when have you changed your mint 2
| :" All Doctor" replied his lordship. II can't b,
| helped" The new bishop meant to imply thai
| priests being as they are bishops must be NIB
| solute in their regime. Now that rs It precisely
| bishops look upon priests with dstrust. ant
the laity. seeing old men In the priesthood
| shelved and young men promoted must con
| cludc that the longer u man has served as
| priest the more unfit is he TO be Il bishop.
| In conclusion. ! must say that. in the matte
| Of choosing candidates for a vacant see. tn
| venerable Archbishop Of st, Louis has recently
| taken a step decidedly in the right direction
| He instructed the priests OF Chicago 10 selec
| the three candidates for that vacant see them
selves. subject Of course TO the later action o
| the bishops OF tho Province. II the priests .
| Chicago do not get the right sort 81 man for
| bishop alter that. provided the appolntee b.
| one Of the three mon chosen by themselves. tn
| blame will be their own. EQUITY.