Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-09
A VISITOR FROM ROME
MOnsignOr O'COnnelI, Rector of the
American College, in Town.
COLONEL REED WON'T BIZ A PRIEST
The Prelate Talks on the Differences in the
School Systems.
ADVICE TO PROTESTANT MINISTER'S

Monsignor D. j. O'Connell, rector of the
American College at Rome, is a guest at the
residence of Rt. REV. Bishop Phelan, on
Sherman avenue, Allegheny. He arrived
in the city Saturday night, and will spend
several days sight seeing, etc.
Father O'Connell is native of Rich
mond, Va, and is in charge of the college
for American students who are studying for
the priesthood. He was one of the repre-
sentative delegates at the Catholic Congress,
and since then has been travelling about the
country. He has been in Canada, and came
to Pittsburg from Baltimore. After visiting
different points of interest in this city he
will journey on West.
In a talk with DISPATCH reporter last
evening Monsignor O'Connell spoke of the
hourishing condition of the college, and the
large number of Americans who are now en-
rolled in the institution. He said:
"The American college is an institution
for the education Of young men from this
country who desire to enter the priesthood.
The college is the preparatory course to the
Propaganda. We have large number of
students from the United States, but none
at present from this city. The nearest one
think to Pittsburg is young man from
Harrisburg.
REACHING PAPAL ROME.
"The college is the only avenue by which
Americans can reach Papal Rome. The
Government has no afilial relations with
the Vatican, and the only way to reach it is
through the college. Although the Vatican
has no temporal power the most friendly re-
lations exist between the representatives of
the two Governments. There is no bitter
feeling between them. 1 have heard that
the latter is the supposition in this country,
but this state of affairs does not exist
"How does the school system of this
country compare with that of Italy, and is
there any feeling between the Catholic and
other sehools?'
81 do not know much about the systems
in this part of the country, as the schools
are conducted to-day, but think that re-
lgion must be part of child's education.
In Italy we have the Catholic parochial
and the municipal schools. The latter are
about the same as the public schools in this
country. They are sustained by the city
government, and are very good institutions
There is no conflict between the representa-
tives of the municipal system and the Catho-
lie Church authorities. The schools are so
we'll managed and conducted in accord with
the Catholic idea that in some districts it is
not necessary to establish parochial schools. !"
INTERESTED IN MISS CUsACK.
Monsignor O'Connell made many in
quiries in regard to the city, population,
how divided, etc. He was much interested
in the recent exploits of the Nun of Ken
mare, of whom he has often heard. He
ventured the opinion that she would again
see the error of her ways, and come back to
the Catholic church. He was much sur
prised when told of the interest taken in the
nun by several Protestant clergymen. He
said:
"I am much surprised at the actions of
the people who are backing the misguided
nun, presumably for the sole reason that she
is preaching against the Catholic church.
My idea of Pittsburg people was that they
were sober minded and sensible, particu-
larly the clergy. If some of the Protestant
ministers allow their prejudices to
carry them away I think they are
behind the times. With all your
natural gas I think your people need
little illumination on the matter of religion.
1t Is not Christianity for a minister to in
dutge in such practices, and wonder that
the people tolerate it. Pittsburg is a unique
city in many respects on account of her
manufactures, and is known all over
Europe 1 am afraid, however, that this
intolerant, bigoted spirit does the people
more harm than good. The attacks on the
parochial school system shows that those
who make the attack need to read up little
and become enlightened on other than purely
local matters
Monsignor O'Connell is authority for the
statement that Colonel Reed, the we'll
known young colored man of the hill who
went to the college to study for the priest
hood, has given up the idea. It IS pre-
sumed that he failed to pass the examina-
ton. This is the young man who, it was
said, would take charge of the negro Catho-
lie congregation on Fulton street when he
became ordained priest.