The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-02
DOLLARS OR DAMNAr1oN.


for Masses Can BE Collected.
San Francisco Argonant
Rev. Robert ]. Mcguire, for many years
pastor of st. Paurs Roman Catholic Church,
Court street, Brooklyn, died in 1881, leaving an
estate varlously estimated at from $4,000 to
twice that amount The Rev. Father Cur
rem, of st. Andrews Church, this city, since de-
ceased, was named as executor under the Will.
Father Curran died intestate, aud the estate
won't into the hands of the public administrator
PROVISION was made, IL Is said, by Rather
Mcguire for the celebration Of masses for the
repose OF his soul. Rev. Philip Kenny, who was
assistant pastor Of st. PauPs, performed the
emonies, saying the masses desired. Father
Kenny has now begun suit to recover $4,000
against the estate OF hs deceased pastor for the
services rendered. The action is brought before
the Supreme Court, and has been referred to
Counsellor William B. Davenport, who Is taking
testimony in the matter. Mrs. P. j. O'Hanlon
and ex-Judge Morris appear for the plaintiff,
who Is assistant pastor Of the Church OF the
Nativity. In Madison street, Brooklyn. and
Charles J. Otis represents the legal interest Of
George b. Abbot, the public administrator.
New York Herald.
This bringing of suit against one priest,
for compensation for praying another out of
purgatory, beats us altogether. In the first
place we thought all priests went directly to
the bosom of Abraham, and that, when they
died in sanctity, they skipped the domain
which we infidels call 'Fiddler's Green" but
which, in the more sedate language of the
church, is called "Purgatory." We thought
these Roman Christians so loved one another
that when priest, by some unlucky acct
dent like that which lately occurred in
Brooklyn, slipped his foot and brought up
on tine debatable ground, they would pray
him out of his dilemma in the halfway
house on the down grade. But for one priest
to demand of another $12, 900 for lifting him
up from purgatorial pains, and placing him
with harp and stool upon the golden pave,
is thing never dreamed of in our
philosophy. We do not understand how
10 m oin fat hic
First, we take it, his lawyers must prove
the following facts, viz That there is a
purgatory; that Father Mcguire had a soul
while living that his soul survives him dead,
and that it has gone to purgatory. The court
will doubtless take judicial cognizance of the
character of the place called purgatory, and
admit that it is a devilishly uncomfortable
position for priest to be put in. The pain
tiff will then prove that he said the masses,
and said them upon an empty stomach and
IN all respects complied with the require
ments of the church. He must, we think,
prove that his prayers have been effective, in
order that the jury may intelligently assess
their value Then, we presume, experts may
be called in to prove the value OF like services
in like cases. We shall look for this evidence
with great interest to inform us what is the
tariff for purgatorial deliverance. We are
altogether IN the dark as to the commercial
value of religious consultations, for the sacra-
baptisms of infants and adults in holy water.
This kind of information is of practical use,
and we think we express the wish of the av-
erage non-papist in desiring to KNOWN the
event of our becoming RomanIsts just how
much the Roman Catholic plan of
salvation costs. We would not
speak irreverently of these sacred
ceremonies, nor lightly of the holy mysteries
which enshroud the faith of the only true,
holy, Catholic and apostolic church; but
when an anointed priest of God comes into
court and demands compensation in coin for
services rendered by him at the altar in aid
of a tortured soul that is dead and wanders,
we demand to know whether we may not in
quire into all the details of service for
which priest of Rome demands money
price. 1t would be an interesting fact if we
could ascertain historically just when the
practice was introduced of selling masses.
Judas was the only apostle, if we remember
Alright, who loved coin; and. if we are correct
in our readings, Christ and the apostles, and
the early Christians, were enjoined to set no
value on their ministrations, but to preach
Christ and Him crucifed, without money and
without price-to preach the gospel to all the
world, going forth with staff, but not with
purse. One follower of Jesus demanding
$l2, 900 for rescuing the soul of another from
eternal tormentl-and that in the city of
Brooklyn, in 1883. Great God /!