The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-09
4 ROMAN CATHoLIC REFORMER.
He Asks that the Title 20 Church Property
be Vested in the Laymen.

NC N the Isatmen.
| To the Hon. Patrick Grlnn.
| SIR: There were circumstances connected
with your election. as well as your position on
| the committees OF the Assembly. which seem to
| point TO you as n proper person TO call the at
| tention Of the present Legislature, of which
you are nm honorcd member to the present
law by which Roman Catholic Church property
| is held in this State. This property. although
amounting to many millions of dollars has
been collected not from the superabundance Of
the wealthy. but from the hard toll OF the in
dustrious poor, and would seem to claim, II not
special. at least such careful guardianship OF
the law as tosecurc it from waste or from being
used to Cypress those who gave it.
The political and religious movement Of the
sixteenth century engcndcrcd the most Bit
ter strifcs and hatrcds between those who
adhered to the old. and those who
adopted tho new religious ideas. In Western
Europe the new religions became dominant,
and the Catholics became the victims OF Sc
we're and continuous persecution. But when in
this country. all foreign control had been re-
moved, and freedom to worship God according
TO the dictates Of the individual conscience be-
came the established law of the land many
Catholics deprived both OF their property and
their rights in the old world, came here with
willing hands and strong hearts to enjoy the
ever. had come before them. Their own suffer.
ngs from the prosecuting laws Of Europe had
they had claimed for themselves. And al
though the legal enactments Of the coun-
5y m he al Yet FGh aS G sapa
and such strong current Of prejudice, that 1t
made it difficult for them TO acquire church
property by any corporate title. They there
fore. rosOrtcd to the cXpedicnt Of purchasing
church lots in the name Of some layman who
N n pOrppration sale but IN him y n ethan
TO prevent this property from going at his
death to his, hcirs-at- law there was an ar
on his conservation. to make his will, convey
ing all such property to his successor in office.
the major part which organized under the
general law for the incorporation OF religious
societies let and property was brought Y; ana held
But the ecclesiastical authorities. for reasons
known TO themselves. discouraged, as far
as possible. all such incorporations. and,
when so formed. contrived to have the proper
tv conveyed to themselves by deed from the
trustees. to be by them transmitted to their
successors by tcstimentary bcqucst.
The dangers connected with such conveyan-
ees were felt by all concerned TO be too great TO
enacted by which the Bishop, the Vicar-Gen-
eral, the pastor. and two laymsn are de- ,,
to Even the ssh hS OF 5
law will show you that it is only cumber-
some way 9f enacting that the Bishop OF t me
diocese shall be q corporation sole VINO snail
own. manage, mortgage, sell. or convey any
and all OF the vast millions of property which
may be in any particular diocese. He may open
or lock up any, or all tho churches. school
houses. cemetaries or charitable institutions
built thereon. The Bishop appoints and de-
poses the Vicar General and pastor at his own
| pleasure. and II the two laymen hesitate in the
least to obey the bidding Of the Bishop. thoyt or
n majority Of them, may appoint others In
| deed, he need not take that trouble for himself.
his Vicar and pastor are majority; and can
| ton to the unavailing clam0rs Of the two dunn
| mics. called laymcn. Tho danger then becomes
apparent that this vast property. collected from
| the poor for holy uses. may become perverted
| 70 unhoy purposes. or used even to Cypress tho
| Ii is the pride and honorable boast OF the
Catholic Church. q valuable proof OF her divine
origin. that she adapts herself TO all the forms
| of human government, nor does she attempt to
that in this democratic government. in the
matter OF titles to church property, the Church
| has fallen into the most despotic form is the
| wonder of many Of her dutiful children. 1t is a
matter. however. 81 easy correction. and will
| meet. trust. the hearty cooperation Of both
| clergy and laity. The clergy of the Church will
| support such change in the law MS TO free thorn
from the vexation and responsibility Of such
| worldly cares as must detract. il not destroy
their Just influence in their holy lives and call
ing. Of all the Apostles. II was Judas who
carried the purse. and cared not for, the poor
his whole heart and soul. all his thoughts and
| actions. to the service Of his Divine Master
| but wi II rejoice to have the present law SO
amended as shall throw off from his already
temperatures OF tho Church II, like Judas
| he shall insist on carrying the bag" then
! ike Judas he should be permitted " to so &c
| his own place" as unfit TO associate with the
| other Apostles.
With sentiments Of regard have the honor
| to be yours very truly. CATHoLICus.
NEW YORK. March 81. 1882.