The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-24
1NrnRp1crEp COMMON SENSE.
The Book Which Catholic Bishop wiggel
Has Condemned.

new loTK sun.
The Rev. Patrick Corrigan, pastor of the
Catholic Church of Our Lady of Grace, Ho-
boken, has written pamphlet of forty-fve
pages ON Episcopal Nominations" which
has been condemned by Bishop Wigger of
his diocese, who ordered the suppression of
the edition. The publishers, however had
already issued about 600 copies, part of
which are in circulation. Father Corrigan
is pastor of what is perhaps the largest con-
gregation in the United States. 1t is said
that from 1900 to 10000 persons attend his
church. The pamphlet is addressed to the
priests of the United States, and begins with
the following statement:
The best interests of the church in the
United States require that the priests or a
certain qualified number of them, should
have the power. of nominating the bishops.
The subject is indeed delicate one" the
writer says, "but we can hardly expect the
bishops themselves to take the initiative. l
simply undertake to SOW the seed. The mere
preliminary step may easily be followed, if
necessary, by a proper organization, the
branches of which will extend to every
diocese in order to obtain the sentiment OF
all the bishops and priests of the land. The
whole matter rests with the bishops, for it is
fcertain that Rome will grant this power to
the priests if the bishops think it is for the
best interests of the church in this coun-
try"
The author describes the condition of the
church in Italy, France and Spain, and
adds: THE very pope himself does not dare
to appear on the streets Of Rome for fear Of
losing his life, nor does he dare to leave Italy
lest the government should try to procure
man who would be willing to play the part
of pope in Italy"
In proof of his statements ne quotes a let
ter of the Rev. Bernard 0'Reilly, which ap-
peared in the Sun of April last.
The writer gives some space to the Catholic
doctrines of church and state, ana intimates
that local interpretations of the doctrine in
Eurape have been pushed too far for the in
terests of the church. He advocates a sys-
tenn of accounting on the part ofevery priest
for moneys Entrusted to his care and disap-
proves of refusing the sacrament to Catholic
children who go to the public instead of the
parish schools. He proceeds to condemn the
present system of selecting three names for
bishop and sending them to Rome, where
one of the three is selected.
Writing of the defects of the present sys-
tenn. the Rev. Mr.. Corrigan calls attention to
the fact that there is not q solitary repre-
sentative of the American church in the city
OF Rome, nor representative from Rome i'll
the United States, and that the very bishops
Of the American church are dependent on
the enterprise of a pious lady convert at
Rome for the first authentic information of
the appointment of the bishops of this coun-
try. In conclusion he writes:
"My words have certain querulous tone.
T feel this myself, but cannot we'll help it.
have seen the lamentable state of things in
Europe, and it has made my heart sick. l
see certain tendencies in this country that
are calculated to infiict lasting injuries on
the church. feel, as every priest must feel.
that an end should be put to them. If a
man tries honestly to remedy those matters.
must he be looked upon, as a matter of
course, as devoid of a proper ecclesiastical
spirit? Is be supposed to have lost his judg-
ment and to have placed weapon in the
hands of the enemies OF the church to injure
her?"
Eyes, the pamphlet has been discounte-
nanced by the bishop" said the Rev. Mr..
Corrigan the ether evening to Sun re-
porter.
ION what grounds
sThat am wrong on the question of the
bishops. the schools and the finances. But a
very small part of the edition OF three thou
sand copies had been issued when its publ
cation was stopped by my order"
"Do you preach these doctrines from your
pulpit"
Il have done so. But as the matter stands
at present do not feel at liberty to con-
verse on the subject"