The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-05-24
THE COMING UATaOLIU CONGRESS-.
The Plans for Carrying On the Congress-
Two Years Hence in Chicago.


Two Years Hence in Chicago.
Hon. William J.. Onahan Of Chicago
has contributed a valuable article to the
press on The projected Catholic congress
to be held in Chicago two years hence
when the Worlds Fair is being held
there. The following plans as outlined
by Mr.. Onahan Will be of great interest
to all readers Of The IRISH STANDARD: 4
1.-THE browning glory of the Worlds
Fair Of 1892 should not be the exhibit,
then to be made, Of the material tri-
umphs, industrial achievements, and
mechanical victories of man, however
magnificent that display may be-. Some
thing still higher and more nobler is
demanded by the enlightened and more
progressive spirit Of the present age.
| ssIn connection with that important
event, the world of government, juris-
prudence, finance, science. literature,
education, and religion shoald be repre-
sented in congress of statesmen, jurists,
fnanciers, scientists, litterati, teachers
and theologians, greater in numbers and
more widely representative of peoples,
nations and tongues, than any assem-
,blage which has ever yet been convened.
''The benefits of such parliament OF
nations would be higher and more con-
ductive to the welfare of mankind, than
those which would flow from the mater
ial exposition, though it would not be
easy'to exaggerate the powerful impetus
that will be given by the latter to COM
merce, and all the arts by which toll IS
lightened, the fruits of labor increased !,
and the comforts of life augmented"
The earliest public response to this
invitation of the committee was probably
that OF the American Catholic Congress,
convened in Baltimore. last November.
Mr.. Onahan outlines the work of the
Congress as If he were merely an in
terested participant, and not, as he was,
the prime mover in the matter, and the
largest factor in it's success. ~.
He continues: Numerous Catholic
congresses have been held in Europe in
recent years, the best known and the
most influential being those convened in
Germany and Belgium. These were
national, not general European CON-
crosses. Similar meetings have been
held in Austria, Spain, France and
Switzerland. These congresses We're
generally attended. by both priests and
laymen, who discussed with equal free
dom and independence, the subjects and
questions under consideration. A dis
tinguished American historian who con-
sidered this question of Catholic con-
crosses at Baltimore. IN explaining and
justify1ng-if justification were neces-
sary-these congresses, declared. that
s'they were called by Catholic .laymen Ito
declare that they are not, as their
enemies suppose. led like sheep by their
clergy, and to be trampled on with
impunitY by their opponents Catholics
can thus make it evident to the world
that, honoring in the highest degree the
supreme pontiticate, the priesthood and
the episcopate placed over them by di-
vine institution in the Church Of God.
ready to support them in their labors
for the good Of souls, acting in perfect
harmony with them as parts of our
spiritual body, the laity are none the
less alive to their civil and political
rights, and, determined to maintain
maintain them, are ready to take part in
all movements, for pro gross in literature,
art. science, in all that tends to increase
human happiness within the lawful
bounds of religion and morality The
subjects and problems discussed in these
congresses were naturally matters of
local and general Catholic interest In
education, art, music, architecture, and
along with these. important and pressing
social and, scientific issues, involving
the peculiar relations. of Catholics
towards the State, and the always pres
ent question of the independence of The
Pope.
'sWith many Of the questions and
issues brou ght before these congresses.
American Catholics have only a SYM
pathetic concern. The conditions of tue
Church in most European countries is
widely different from it's situation. in
America. There it is almost always
hampered or fettered by unfriendly or
hostile legislation, sometimes subjected
to bitter and unrelenGng persecution,
as in Germany, where it's bishops have
been driven out of the country, and
churches and schools closed for time.
lit was this persecution, the 'Kultar-
kampf, and the abominable May Laws,
which caused the formation of the now
powerful Centre or Clerical Party as
it is commonly designated in the German