National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-17
MASON VS.. CATHOLIC.
BurInI OF Hon. Miguel a. Otcro mt River
side Cemetery Denver.

Hon. Miguel A. Otero, formerly delegate in Con-
gress aud well. known resident Of Las Vegas,
New Mexico, died at That place recently. A
special train was chartered to take the remains
and the funeral party to Denver, and the funeral
was announced to take place at the Jesuit Catholic
church on Larmer street. The announcement
In the papers that the ceremonies would occur NJ
the Trinity Memorial Episcopal church, instead
Of Mt the Jesuit church, occasioncd great deal Of
surprise. II was generally understood that Don
Miguel Otero was Catholic, and those who knew
this TO be fact could not comprehend why
change had been made from Catholic TO Pro-
testant church.
THE FUNERAL TRAIN ARRIVED
In Denver, and Mr.. Page Otero, son OF the dc.
ceased, was informed that the ceremonies could
not / c performed in n Catholic church, and that
no Catholic priest could oficatc at the burial
Father Pinto, who has charge Of the Jesuit
Church, said that Mr.. Otcro had been member
ola secret society-tne MISUNDERSTANDING his lie
tm", and that, consequently, he could not receive
burial at the hands OF a Catholic priest, II being
M unalterable rule Of the Church That member
of secret ,occiy could not be n member in good
standing Of the Catholic Church. Accordingly u
change Of programme was neces>itNtcd, and INC
ANNOUNCEMENT made that The funeral would take AK,
body was taken TO Trinity Church, where the
Episcopal funeral service was conducted. At the
conclusion Of Tho service the remains were CON
vcyod to River.ide cemetery, followed by quite II
number of friends and relatives In carriages and
omnibuses. The burial service at the grave was
conducted by the Masonic lodge of Denver with
the usual rites aud ceremonies.
TIE vENED QUESTION.
Bishop Machebeuf OF the Catholic Church. said
IN relation TO the mater: " MIR. OtCro was not u
momb n in good standing In the Catholic Church
when he died, because of the fac: that he be-
longed to the Masous. lie violated his obliga-
tuns TO the Church when he became II member OF
u secret order, and this being the case he could
not receive burial ut tic lands of the Church.
Father Rnvcrdy, who was IN charge during my
absence, did just what IL was his duty 70 do. lie
could not have me otherwise. lie II simply an
gent Of the Cnurch TO enforce its laws aud Gus
toms; and, hearing that Mr.. Otero was Mason,
he had no other course LEFT Opel for him.
THE PLAIN LAW OF THE CHURCH
cannot be violated In any instance. The very fnct
that Mr.. OieiO was II Mason made his burial by the
Catholic Church an mp Stability. II was not
necessary to 20 further aud u.CcttAiu where he
was To be buried. OF course II is rule Of the
Catholic Church tnnt its members shall be buried
in Catholic cemeteries, but this rulc is not abso
lutcly imperative. In certain emergencies the
Church grants the privilege to bury Il deceased
Catholic in Protestant cemeteries, ana n number
Of Catholic dead nrc now Inferred in Riverside.
Mr. Ojeru's daughter was good Catholic wucn
she died. Sue was first buried AZ Trinidad, /
understand, III the Catholic cemetery there.
After Mr. Otcro Joined the Mas0ns he had the body
| dis Inferred nnd removed to Riverside cemetery"
The Otero family seem to he greatly griGved aud
offended ut the action of the vicar general. MIR.
| TRgo Otero aays, rather bitterly: "Thcy refuse to
| receive his body now, but they never refused ~
| receive his money."-DcHrcr hepUGticia.