New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-03
CARDINAL GIBBONS'S PASTORAL.
HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AMERICA
REVIEWED IN LIGHT OF ITS COMING
CFT.ERRATION


Baltimore, Oct. 2-The pastoral letter Of Cardinal
Gibbons the celebration of the onehuUdredth ami
vcrsary OF the establishment Of the Catholic hier
archy in the United states furnished the AsSo-
clated Press by the publishers John Murphy & Co.
It is long document and Is in part as follows:
On the 9th OF November 1889, His Holiness Plus vi
Issued bull creating the hierarchy of the Catholic
Church in the United States. and appointing the Rev.
Carroll the first Bishop Of Baltimore, whose epsco
pal Jurisdiction extended all the territory then com
prsed in the Federal Union lie was consecrated In the
chapel OF Lulworth Castle in England by the venerable
Bishop walmesley Vicar Apostolic OF the London DIS
trlc the 18th OF August $780, and afterward he
set for Baltimore where he arrived on the 9TH OF
December After occupying this see for quarter OF a
century he died. full OF years and merits December
1915 in the eighty first year OF his age.
Tho Cardinal pays high tribute 10 the memory OF
Bishop Carroll, and continues as follows
On Sunday, the 10th OF November next, and on the
days following, the onehundieith anniversary Of the
establishment Of the Catholic Hierarchy in the United
States VIII be celebrated in Baltimore with appropriate
religious and civic festivities. When Bishop Carroll
consecrated In 1890 the entire population Of tho
United States little less than four millions freemen
and slaves included The Catholic population was est
mated at about 10000. A small but heroic band or
thirty priests almost exclusively belonging 10 the Society
OF Jesus mlnstered this scattered flock There was
single hospital asylum throughout the land
Churches there nonc unless we designate by that
title the few modest houses OF worship erected In thonc
settlements chiefly in Maryland and Pennsylvania George
town College just then founded. tAe only Catholic
seat OF learning In the country.
Such is true picture OF the past Let us glance
at the present. Thanks the blessings of an over
ruling Providence and the benecent character OF our
civil and political institutions the population Of the
United has grown within century from four 70
sixtynve millions Of people, as happy and conentcd as
any that the face OF the earth And thanks 70
the fructfyng influence Of the Holy Spirit and to the
liberty we enjoy progress of the Church has moro
than kept pace with the material development OF the
country. There Is embraced within the territory
Of the United States Catholic population Of about
100000. There thirteen Archbshops and seventy
one Bishops 5000 priests 10000 churches and ehapes
tweny-seven semnares exclusively devoted to tho train
ing Of candidates for the sacred ministry there are 300
colleges and academies for the higher education OF youth
Of both sexes and 300 parish schools There are $40
hospitals and ohan asyums where every form OF human
misery and nfrmlty aeviaed and where children OF
both sexes are rescued from spiritual and temporal
wretchednes reared to become useul ana hohor
able members Of society.
Tho Co.hoic Church IS the friend Of law and order
she is the upholder Of legitimate authority she is the
stern opponent anarchy the one hand and oil op'
pesson on the other and by her conservative spirit she
is an element OF strength to the nation Indeed 10 pro-
claim loyalty Government like ours is as 1T ought 70
ne spontaneous act OF love- well as duty TO all
who preach the gospel
we hail 10 as an suspicious that the century
will be inauguruted BY the opening Of the Catholic Uni
yersIty ust the closing century was usheteu Ill W
the founding OF Georgetown College.
We take great pleasure in announcing 70 you tna'
benevolent interest in approaching celebration Is
manifested by the hierarchy and laity of the United States
and even of those other lands. SeveEtyhree Arch
bishops and Bishops have already sgnhed their intention
OF honorng US by their presence Nearly every sVa'e
and Territory OF the Union Will be represented on the
occasion LARGO number of Canadian preates have also
sed to attend among whom am happy to name his
rminence the Cardinal Archbishop OF quebec 'eh our
to- penubc OF Mexico viii be represented by two or
more nrelaes In letter lately received The sovereign
ontlf expresses his gracious intention OF sending
church dgnary Rome to represent the HOLY see az
the baltimore and Washington festivities.
an oxnresson Of our gratitude to God for past
,,ors and 20 invoke His merciful benediction On our
country for the years the clergy Of the Archdo'
oe are directed 20 rece the Thanksgiving Collect Pro
Gratarum Actone) during the neA' "On'h oi N''eoer
an ALI days permitted by the rubrics