New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-10
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CENrENARY


The centenary of the Roman Catholic Church IN
the United States which is to be celebrated with
impressive ceremonies in Baltimore today. is
an event of great importance in many ways
Previous to the establishment Of the mother
diocese of Baltimore in 7s0, the growth OF The
Church had been slow and in some States 1t had
hardly any footing at all. In Maryland, now
ever il had considerable strength, and under inc
administration Of Bishop Carroll, the first Bshop
of Baltimore IL at once began 10 grow and prosper
New dioceses were rapidly formed, many sister
hoods were established. and the missionary WORK
~ the Church was extended. Schools and theO-
logical seminaries were built, until at last, even
in New-Engand, the Church bel gan to show signs
NJ a vigorous life under the administration OF
Dr John Cheverus the pioneer Bishop OF BOSTON,
The numerical sire myth of the Church was VASTLY
increased by the great food of immigration al
though most of the Catholic immigrants were TOO
moor n give much financial aid 20 the Church. III
bocamp AT once necessary, therefore, Tor the
bishops and priests TO develop administrative
abilities and devote most of their time to the
raising OF money TO build churches schools ana
converts They thus began an era o. material
growth that has hardly parallel IN the history Oh
.bo Church. The clergy developed remarkable
genius for church-buidng. which has MADE inc
Roman Catholic Church to-day one OF the oest
o,inpcd denominations in the Unlted otates' ana
that. too. In spite of the fact that majority OF
ia nombers were Door AS a result OF this IL Is
now admirably organized for aggressive WORK.
and IFS bishops and priests show singular apiii'y
in carving out the gigantic operations Oh INV
Church. 1t has lived down much Of the prejudice
A.. ~ ono time or another existed against It,
and to-day there is less friction between oa'hoii-
o;sr and Professionalism in this country than III
any other country in the world Frcm a mem,
horsbin Of less than 10000 when Bishop CarroH
.as consecrated. the Church has become one OF the
STRONGEST bodies. numerically. in the Uned
c.otes and il reaches with It's minlstratlons large
olossos If people who would otherwise grow up
IN nractical heathenism Altogether 1t has de-
,oloped an aggressive vitality and vigor that
make il one of the strongest forces in American
Christianity
The holding of a Church Congress in connection
with the centennial celebration as well as tnc
dedication of the new Catholic University III
Washington, will mark a new era In the hsCoiS
~ American Catholicism. They make 10 eNlucn'
that the Roman Catholic Church is aliVc 10 uhe
mnortance of meeting modern thought Ill lt' own
domain and giving an intelligent answer 10 the
burning questions of the day. The discussion III
80 many important pracucal topics l" 'n0 No7
will broaden tn, outlook Of the Church, ana put
Il more in the line with many of the better tend
encies of the age. while the establishment OF
great university will largely increase It's strength
&C an educational power in The community, The
church is no longer compelled TO devote all Its
energies to its internal growth and extension ana
con now pay more attention TO the better equip
mont Of its forces to meet the great problems that
IN this age face Professionalism and Catholicism
alike