New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-13
THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
FATHER CoRRIGAN EXPLAINS HIS VIEWS.

TERPRETED ?-DEFENCE WITHOUT OFFENCE
TO the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Within the past three weeks the newspapers
Of the country have been coupling my name WIFI 'd'
of Bishop Wigger, in reference TO alleged want "i
harmony between us in regard 70 the Interpretation
of the laws of the Church the question OF edu'i-
tion and my alleged refusal in consequence to pub
lish in nv church his circular commanding the with
drawal Of Catholic children from the public schools
Disloyay to the Church on question so vital anu
subordinaton 10 local spiritual authority are among
the gravcst charges that can be made against priest
do not wish to defend myself by appearing TO
offend others. And yet the relations of bishop ana
priest and especially those OF the same diocese are
so delicate that it is very difficult for priest TO de-
fend himself in certain without having his ac-
ton construed into public criticism of MS superior
It was this extreme popularity OF my position u'a'
constrained me to wait. in the hope Of few lines
from the Bishop that would set the public right ana
relieve my own embarras snent.
can hardly afford to wait much longer, especlany
as | was tho victim few years ago Of charges OF
this same character made to Rome. Tho present
reports If left unchallenged could easily be forwaidcd
to Rome by person so disposed, as virtual con
LESSONS OF my guilt The Pope has no more loyal
subject than your humble servant: and no othcr
priest in the United states could have manifested
more absolute submission to his Bishop than did
when few wears ago under the charge OF contempt
of episcopal authority. in connection with the pun
ncation of a certain pamphlet made by Bishop Nigeer
and his ecclesiastical counsel. the Rev. Dr. smith
author Of works Canon Law, was suspended ior
three weeks without form Of law. ! denied any con
tempt formal or even material and demanded trial
The Church in all parts OF the world never REFUSES
a trial TO the worst criminal. but. though Of the
most prominent priests OF the diocese and one whose
character had ever been above rcproach. was t"ld
that coIld have no trial. appcalto higher authority
not even TO the Pope and IN order To Illustrate all
appeal. must be condemned rs notorious criminal
| submitted under protest. however. To- tins ~
traordnary conclusion Of the bishop and the reverend
canonisi and after my suspcn,on wrote him that
| pardoned himself ard the doctor for the strange
proceeding ] conld easily afford Ia do 90 for kuc"
that my pamphlet advocated a change IN the manner
of elcctlng bishops that the Pope himself srcd ana
that the Council Of Baltimore has since made the Ia"
OF the United States.
recall this to show how groundes- f. the charge
Of my refusal 10 read any order that the Bishop
send me There is no greater friend of parochial
schools and higher education in tn, diocese than my
self. induced the Jesuit, 10 come 10 Jersey city
and to build a college there by giving them 81 Peters
Church. then the finest in the diocese. made the
parish school free when pastor there; have
done the same in my present parish. where doubled
the number II pupils in my nr-t vcir For ncarl,
thirty years have laoorcd ia Hudson County. which
contains more than half tho Catholic population g
the diocese Of Newark know the condition OF the
schools and the temper Of The Catholic well ~ ihc
non-Cathollc population 81 the county. must 'a'.
in justice Ia the public schools that there b. not "a
solitary public school this county ahcrc teacher
would dare to utter word against the catholic
Church. save at the risk of summary dismissal
When the Bishop. on the occasion referred 20 by
the paper-. informed the assembled clergy That they
must refuse absouuon to parents who send thcii
children to the public school, without his special
permission was one Of several WHO asked II Ills
order referred whore the grade Of our classes
WI, not high enough FOR advanced pupil. The ant~ci
Of the bishop Wi, to the effect that parish schools
were equal, II not superior. the public schools.
said that did not question the oharot"f
Of our academies and Christian brother schools
but that couS lot secure the brother ana 'NN
The rich could attend the academies that the fact
Of establishing such pay schools in the sanc parish
with the free school. BOT oul, wa, orcatn. c.-ie
and handiCappug the free schools. hn Wa AZ open
confession %; nfcnoilty. suggested that under the
present condition % l.pt II our r' ho"a thai iaF"
,hcin the liberty be given The PASTOR a, $40
given 10y Bishop, Baslos ald 'orfran than whom
10 greater patrons OF iaio'hiA -'''' ever HN''' ~
which We tolerated What IL va, morally impossible
10 remedy and simply 'onnl'od at inc "i'ndan,s
" II our grown boys and firi- ~ thr hel
schools expressed ms fear tht II this were noi
done either such pupils would iA'" t. abandon All
further study or they ani ihrir ptrri' would hr
forced into altitude - opposition to pa-t0r and
bishop did not question ia, fat That thr bishop
the ludg" ~ the validity ~ the excuse FOR send
ing clild To tAc public .ch'ol but J. urged that
the bishop must lccofn.e the validity of the excuse
when the excuse is noioriou-lv valid.
The Pope ~ -, ala there mas Toe Circumstance,
whore there }, even remote danger O." tc.f fat, and
much wncrc such danger !, not supposed ~ |
church school cAl-i- -''otdly. "hcfe -a'h -'hN"
doc exist bat /. little suited a. The convenience OF
condition Of adoic,ccni pupil. Ihe Council OF hnlu
more. having quoted Oh" word. OF the Pope. say.
When therefore, account ~ ,nrcicHt cause. and
approved by the Inehop. parent wish to seud Their
danger Doe removed We .tct, charge That M bishop
threat rrpcl such parent, from the sacrament e.
"nTg5,sy ih- n BE- '-'d much 2.-1 moe so Of
may refer here 70 nov and ,c,y -~riou. |
free schools. arising from ihc Gcrmanizus .prt TIA
B, "a. aiming extraordinary proportion, ~ tn cu.r-c
school i, generally pa, school Thi, vIrtua, drive
he poor who most s'd religious intt,u ton. ini" |
and are in n,cGn"nce ~ tai, confession admitted |
graft. or Is mere paupcrr. iui" their own schools
TN. IS hnm u, a'on r." Americans are willing to
mi, mite Jcr-c, earthquake NAV do much good by |
attracting universal attention &" the actual Laws 81
the Church There j. nothing in the laN create |
% , | 81, on, on 'r s % 9 c Sn I,ppis a'h i
bic for the universal indignation liiciy displayed by
s sa i I". a ~ rrpioo in a,cr Gi"rr - T' %
vic t. rrtatc the American people by unnecessary
ating public opinion against our-cve-. ana public
opinion in tli- country ha- the force II liN. The |
great Catholic countric, of Europe have closed most
non Catholics than from our own The ntcd slate.
j. the very paradise Of. the Church. and If lose
the freedom 81 'ducafion enjoy II viii lc |
because Of orr own want Of even common sense.
Let VOL enough alone. There il Cuiiurklmpf |
here. and they who invoke II are not the friends ~
Mother Church Or Of the United states Most Of those
who ponsiblc for public ind enation agin-t the
Church have never had. general rule. that
experience arising from personal control Of great
parishes or great pafochla school.
] have Touched On matters II great moment TO the
Church In this country. and especially in this do
ce-e. and ~ spirit Of true loyalty - both Those
who are thoroughly acquainted with the country and
the status II the Church here will not find fault with
my remarks. T. CORIIGAN.
ChnIoh Of our Lady Of Grace. Ilobolcn, v j..
March II, 1880.
HEARING THE HARLE4 BRTDGES DISPUTE