The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-13
ANTI-CATHOLIC PREJUDICE.
Lecture by Father McMullen, of Terre Haute,
at st. Joseph's Church.

Father McMullen, of Terre Haute formerly of
St Johns Cathedral, this city, lectured at ST.
Joseph's Church last night on Anti Catholic
Prejudices, and How to Meet Them The father
defining the word prejudice as popularity under
stood, said it was an habitual condition of the
mind, inclining it to judge favorably or unfavor
aoly OF men or matters without tdll consdera
tion. he said ali were more or less inclined to
NC preJuulced: they judge favorably with re-
-.ru TO all they believe to be true, and unfayor
ably of that they regard as false If we Judge
unfayorably Of the truth it is because we regard
it as false Prejudice closes our eyes to the
faults of our friends, and to the virtues of our
enemies 1t is not alone the ignorant and I'M
learned who are governed by prejudice for the
educated are frequently so governed These
prejudices are grievous when they attach to re-
ligious matters.
lie then spoke of mont Catholic prejudices in
this country, and how they had operated injuri
ously to Catholics, not only in business and in
politics, but in the neghborly relations of life
An expression Of this feeling was shown during
the campaign by minister who joined this holy
religion with rum and rebellion. Americans are
teaching and practice of the church they are
very ignorant To know about the 80 articles of
the Episcopalian creed, said tho father, | read
the authorities of that sect: to know what the
Presbyterian faith is, / read what Presbyterians
say of 1T. The Catholic Church is not treated
so. The words of its enemies are taken against
it. Our enemies give to schoolchildren their
versions of the Inquisition and of St Bartholo
news. History, poetry and story are filed with
untruths concerning our holy faith.
Father Murphy spoke of the Know nothing
prosecutions of 1853 and 1854, the burning of the
convent at Charleston of St Michaels Church, at
Philadelphia, and the destruction of Catholic
lives and property at Louisville, and that from
that period OF persecution the Catholic Church
had prospered and grown in strength and num-
Der with rapidity unknown before Those who
wish to understand the benefcence of the Catho-
lie Church must read her history as it is and not
as altered and misinterpreted by her enemies
Il here is benefit in having these prejudices-
War abroad brings peace at home. 1t makes
Cat holics more united, careful determined and
jealous 1t stirs up their dormant energy.
Nothing on this earth is hated as Catholicity is
by its enemies AS with the head, so with the
body OF the church. Our Lord was hated with
the greatest hate, and in recompense He was
loved with the greatest and most feryent love
1t Is benefit to the church to be hated. A dead
calm is to be dreaded; stagnant pool gathers
poison. Good Catholics must expect it The
man or woman who will not take up his cross
and follow me cannot be my disciple. The
church does not desire or favor any government.
1t does not matter what form of government the
church is under, as its kingdom is spiritual
one; but the church thrives better under re-
publican form of government such as
our own. The name of Catholic alone will
not save anybody. There are, of Cath
olics in name, thousands in hell be-
cause they are not good Catholics.
We must be worthy of our holy faith, and we
can best remove the prejudices that are against
that faith by living as good Catholics. We can
be good citizens of any government. Before
can convert Americans 20 Cathoicity and bring
them into the fold, we must be ourselves earnest
in our faith. There has been too much boasting
about our numbers and material prosperity.
How much better is it than it should be? Not
numerous enough. Many Catholic children are
being lost to us-suffered to grow away from the
church. There would be twelve millions of
Catholics in the United States to day were it not
for this loss. Seven or at most eight, millions
will include all who are truly Catholic. Before
we convert others we have to be devoted and
worthy Catholics ourselves. We know that
Professionalism is losing its force among its fol
lowers, and here is the time, among the crash of
crumbling creeds, when the Catholic Church
should advance while poor suffering souls are
seeking for truth.
The third lecture of the course will be given
on the Goth inst, by Rev. George f. Lentz. of
Upton, on Constitutional Liberty III the Middle
Ages ~ 49, se