New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-30
FATHER MALONES DEFENCE
HIS POSITION IN THE McGLYNN CASE.
LETTER TO THE POPE, NEVER BEFORE PuB.

LETTER TO THE POPE, NEVER BEFORE PUB
LIsHED-DENYING A CHARGE OF DIsREsPECr.
The recent refusal of Archbishop Corrigan to per
NIT Father Sylvester Malone, of st. Peters and st.
Paul's Church, in Brooklyn, to oficiatc on the oc-
cason Of the marriage of OF his parshioners In
ST. Leo's Church, in this city. has caused much COM
mcnt. 1t is believed by many that
this refusal was solely due to tho
fact that Father Malone warm personal
friend of DR.. McGlynn and refused to adopt tho
Archbshops individual view in regard to his contro-
vcrsy with the Doctor Speaking Of this feature
Of the case. Father Malone said yesterday to Tribune
reporter:
"My study during all Of this unfortunate contro-
versy has been to get at the truth, ard have never
ceased to pray 10 the good God to bring peace and
charity to his afflicted diocese Of New-York At tho
beginning Of the sad difference between Archbishop
Conigan and DR.. McGlynn I wrote letter to his
Holiness the Pope, and II Is tho only authorized
statement of my views the subject, VIII show it 10
you and let you and my friends and enemies see IL and
Judge for themselves how l regard the supreme
Pontir and how ! speak OF Archbishop Corrigan
himself / wish 1t TO be distinctly understood that
have no controversy Of personal nature with tho
Archbishop and shall have II can avoid II.
A morning paper however, has published as coming
from the Archbishop this statement; The Rev. syI-
vester Malone has been dlsrcspcctful, not only TO
the ecclesiastical rulers OF this diocese. but TO tho
one in rebellion against Pontifcal authority Let
my letter speak for itself The sentiments expressed
in 1t hold to-day. l think 1t VIII commend 'sen
to the good sense Of the Catholic clergy generally,
and to my ecclesiastical superors'
Father Malones letter is as follows:
December 20, 1885,
Most Holy Father
1t may seem anomalous TO your Holiness that an
humble priest United States OF America OF toy-
three years standing should address the head OF the
II the case which deslte to pring to your
personal and had simply local slgnincance'
would not presume write directly TO your Holiness out
knowing far-reaching influence the present and
future Of the Church America. deem 1t In no way out
OF place to address the great Pope Leo XII TO whom all
have nfaibe guide and teacher In Chrscs
visible Church on earth.
Ere this reaches august presence the casa
of Dr. McGynn his ecclesiastical suDerors Will havs
claimed your consideration the eminent Cardinal
OF the Propaganda Will have made It matter OF grave
interest.
That trouble of this kind should have arisen at the
beginning Of the the young and pious Archbishop
OF New-York Corrigan. is great misfortune to re-
ligon In this country.
Dr. McGynn the best known priest in America, the
friend of the poor eloquent defender Of the doctrines
OF the Church advocate Of temperance and OF every
cause that works for the public good. Is one whom TO
censure unless for very grave irreguary, VIII pus
back the Church half century throughout the United
States Doctor is universal favorite. The Arch
bishop himself said to that he pious priest
but that he has in the advocacy OF Henry
Georges theory OF taxing land alone and not the fruits
OF labor.
The exercise Of ecclesiastical authority. at all times
subject Of the importance TO the Church. Is never
more 50 when involves the liberty OF the Citizen
and nothing could blight the future hopes OF the Chuoh
In country than any act OF ecclesssc author
ty that might raise the question Of the night OF the
citizen
To Interfere the civil rights of citizens or deny
freedom give their views to their feiowcuzens
on public and open questions would at once challenge
the whole people the contest and bring about state
Of public antagonsc to the best interests Of
the Church The charges against Dr. McGlynn as they
are understood by the American people, raise the queS
ton OF the right the citizen TO his views freely
and openly on all questions that non-essenta
Nothing can alter this view Of the case. and ask is
it wise to give feowcitizens cause. even for
pcon that Catholics the enemies OF this principle Of
civil liberty held sacred by all Americansi
The wisdom Of the Holy Father will see at glance
the importance this fact for fact It is as all the pres
both d. and Republican, dwell on this point
that civil liberty is trodden down in the person OF Dr.
McGlynn, should Rome sanction his removal from the
pastoral charge of ST. Stephens twenty thousand souls
have this faith in Americans TO believe that should
there any delinquency found In the life OF the Rev.
Dr. McGynn. they would be the first to uphold eccles
ascal authority any penalty which might reasonably
be imposed for his correction and improvement
His must be considered apart from his action in
the George movement, unless the Holy Church con-
demns the principle upon which that movement is based
that the must hold thai it is not true
In morals that take into her hands the do
minon land for the benefit OF ALL the poor well
as the rich. As understood In America
the Nation against Archbishop Corgan's condemnation
OF Dr. McGlynn.
As for the Catholic people themselves. they believe
Dr. MeGynn deserves well OF the Church because Of
he has practised and ts for
bearance he has shown under the most trying crcun-
The poor OF New-York, however the hard
working people, would not be patient and retcent
appeal made to them for an expression OF what
they think OF the eminent OF DR.. McGlynn a a
and good priest OF twentysix years OF aborious
service in Of the largest and most populous parishes
In the United States.
know the Holy Father will never allow this good
and faithful people to be put to severe test IL
well for religion that this controversy
begun and the best solution Of the matter is to
leave Dr. McGHnn the honored pastor and friend OF the
poor Ilc is not that will cherish resentment For
the sake OF his Church and his God he is capable OF
being forgiying and forbearng
beg you Holy Father, consider the points havo
desired submit you, and, unless failed
them in all their inherent force doubt your
supreme Judgment VIII prevent a great scandal in tho
City OF NewYork. have written without consultation
with any solely OF option and purely from
conscientious sense of duty. My prayer will be
stant at the holy Jesus Christ and His Blessed
Mother to aid in bringing about reconciliation between
Archbishop Corrigan and DR.. McGynn, the dear.
est and most esteemed friends have in tbs priesthood
In America.
Begging your blessing oil the remnant OF a long and.
1 hope not Improbable life, much Of which spent
in the hard working days OF the Cburchs early llfe
am in the most profound and humble manner that Ian.
guage can express, your loving sou in Christ,
SYLVESTER MALONE,
Pastor OF IS. Peter and Paul's Church,
Brooklyn, n. Y.