The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-01
Catholics and the Reform school.

To the Editor Of the Press.
Permit me through the columns of your
paper to reply to the many questions asked
me respecting the religious instruction
furnished at our Reform School and the re.
lation of the Roman Catholics to it.
First-About one-third the Reform School
are children of Roman Catholics, the rest
children of Protestant parentage.
Second-Both Protestants and Roman
Catholics agree in teaching The Unity of
Divine Essence; the creation of the world by
the will of God; the original innocence of
man; the fall In Adam; redemption through
Christ, his incarnation, and that mans best
good demands that he be virtuous and NOR
al. In these dogmas the Professionals Bible
king James's version) and the Roman Cath
Ollie Bible (Douay's version agree. Whatev-
er then teaches these principles only, ac-
cording to Protestant and Roman Catholic
faiths, must be non-sectarian.
To these dogmas the teaching of the boys
in the Reform School is confined, In all
their services including the Sunday School,
while they are also permitted to use the
King James or Douay version as they may
elect Their religious instruction the refore
Is non-sectarian in the Protestant and in the
Roman Catholic sense.
Third-Both Roman athletic priests and
Protestant clergymen have the same rights
and privileges In the Reform School, both
are equally welcome, both may ach their
common non-sectarian dogmas, and both are
forbidden sectarian teaching and sacra-
ments.
Fourth-Until some time in 1885 Roman
Catholic priests were permitted to teach sec
fariauism and Tn pQrf0rua fba rfn
ments so-called by them, except mar
riage and confirmation. They were
refused the latter because 1t involved the
formal recognition of local Roman Catholic
church at the, Reform School supported in
it,. furnishing by the State. Because of this
refusal Bishop Healy withdrew the priest
then attending the institution, and the pres
ent controversy sprang into being with the
design to secure legislative authority for the
establishment OF said Roman Catholic
rules OF the School were changed so as to
place Protestant clergymen and Roman
Catholic priests on the same footing
Fifth-The Roman Catholic children in
r rhe eIS ;,h SSehpol have equal religious
have non-sectarian teaching in the dogmas
In which Professionalism and Roman Catholic
ism agree. both are denied sectarian teach
ing, or instruction In regard to dogmas in
which Professionalism and Roman Catholicism
90 not agree and both are permitted to use
the King James or Douay version as they
eject: NO attempt is made to proselytize any.
In all respects they are treated alike.
Sixth-The Roman Catholic clergy claim
that they are not on the same footing with
the Protestant clergy because they cannot
epter the school as men like Protestant
ministers but as priests, that they cannot
teach solely the non-sectarian dogmas but
must teach the distinctive doctrines of
Romanlsm, and that they must administer
their sacraments with their teaching.
Seventh-The Roman Catholic priests claim
that since the Constitution of the State of
Maine declares: "All men have natural and
unalIenable right to Worship Almighty God
sciences" they for no request has ever
come from the children in the Reform
School as priests demand the sectarian train
Ing of Roman Catholic children.
The Protestants claim that said liberty of
conscience with the words. in connection
tnerewlth including personal liberty" APP
plies to ''all persons demeaning themselves
peaceably as good members of the State"
put mat criminals as the Reform School
poys, Wnlle IN custody have no legal rights
pus must ABIDE according to the State laws
governing said penal institution, that since
sne otate ieglslatu rerepresents all the sects
Mnicn make up the citizens of the State the
legislature has no legal right to legislate at
of Oh any one sect for the purpose
~ u inItnerlng the interests of such sect. that
lne Roman Catholic priestsIask for special
legislation, because favorable to the Inter.
this eSis H Ihs Homan Catholic religion, and
Sec; 3 OF the Constitution of Maine Which
declares" NO subordination, no preferences Of
any, one sect or denomination to anotb ar
shall ever be established by law" o'
Eighth-At the recent "hearing" before
the legislative judiciary Committee at Rn0
gusta, the remonstrants were confined by the
committee to the consideration of the rleht
Of freedom Of conscience in respect to the