Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-24
GERMAN CATHOLICS.
Proceedings of the Congress
at Buffalo.
A Letter Of Regret From Car
dinal Gibbons.
An Interesting Set Of Resolutions
Adopted.
Tho II oratiOr nF fha T,e.nn0roI
The Restoration of the Temporal Power
of tho Pope Adyocated-The Right
to Teach the German Tongue
Insisted Upon.
associated Press Dispatches.

BUFFALo, N. Y, Sept. 23.-Tonight
ended all connection of laymen with the
fifth congress of the German-American
Catholics. The final meeting tomorrow,
exclusively for priests, and to be held in
private, will, it is thought, be the most
important of the series, as the one at
which the question will be settled
whether the widely-commented upon
clerical union will continue under the
leaders that have given it fame, or will
select new chieftains.
The principal work in which the lay
men participated was in voting unani-
nous approval of the platform, the franz
ing of which was guided largely, if not
altogether, by the clergy.
Replies to invitations to be present at
the congress were read tonight from a
long list of prelates, including Arch
bishops Corrigan, Ryan and Riordan,
and Bishop McQuade, of Rochester.
Archbishop Corrigan stated that the
reason for his absence was his Ignorance
of the German language. Almost breath
less attention was given Cardinal Glib
bons's reply to the invitation. He
wrote: "While prevented by important
engagements from being present, / beg
to assure you of my deep interest in
your proceedings. Iregard the German
element most important factor in the
development of our country. As citizens
and as Catholics they have gained an
enviable reputation. have no doubt
your deliberations will be marked by
allegiance to the holy father, and by the
sense of moderation for which your
countrymen are noted"
Interesting papers on general topics
were read during the evening.
The platform presented tonight, like
all the portions of the proceedings, was
in German. Following is an author
tive translation, prepared by three of
the most prominent priests in the con-
gress:
We, Catholic Germans OF the United
States, assembled in our fifth congress,
offer, first, most devoted affection to the
supreme head of the holy church; ex
press gratitude for the holy fathers
blessing, and promise anew and for all
times fiiial devotion and unfailing fealty.
With delight, the congress embraces
the opportunity of pointing out publicly
and distinctively its position on the So
called Roman question of the temporal
power of the pope, deeming it
our sacred duty to make this
public declaration and encourge
Catholics to fearlessly defend these
rights. AS free American citizens, we
will not tolerate any interference with
the free expression of our views on this
extremely important church matter.
The false supposition that it is inoppor-
tune to discuss openly the Roman ques-
tion in our country could only be ex-
planned by want of courage in show
ing our truly Catholic convictions. The
entirely free exercise of the highest
apostolic power is intimately connected
with the welfare of the entire church.
1t is necessary to secure and accord that
freedom in the full meaning of the
word. The Pope's recent encyclicals on
most important and burning. topics, es-
pecially on the condition of labor, have
freedom of the holy see would
to society, suffering already from
| With confidence we leave it to Divine
Providence by what means the restora-
| ton OF papal independence will be
brought about by secular power. In the
meantime we will never cease to cour-
| ageously sustain the holy father, every
one to strive with all legal and legiti-
mate means to regain the freedom due
to the successor of St. Peter. For the
reason that political circumstances have
prevented the adoption of said resolu-
tion in Europe, since we are not ham
pered by political prejudice and in
trigues, we believe our country the
proper place for holding such congress.
| As Catholice we consider it our duty to
adopt the resolution for our brethren in
Europe, believing the time has come
| when the holding of an international con-
gress can convene for the purpose of aiding
| the restoration of the pope's temporal
power. No time for holding such con-
| gress could be more opportune than the
occasion of the worlds fair at Chicago
in 1893. We submit this for the consid-
Grafton and approval OF all our brethren
in the Catholic faith, our bishops, his
eminence Cardinal Gibbons, of Balti-
more, and our sovereign pontiff, Leo
XIII.
We offer the holy father our sincerest
thanks for his excellent encyclical on
the labor question. AS faithful children
of the Catholic church we believe it
superhuous to state that we shall use
all our efforts to execute practically the
principles therein laid down and secure
them the recognition of the public al
large, believing them to be the solution
OF this most important question of the
day.
Liberty based on the national and
constitutional rights of educating oul
youth, is boon which we demand, and
we most emphatically protest against
every interference with that liberty by
unjust legislation. We declare education
without religious basis, can be pro
ductive of but evil results; we protest
therefore against every interference
with our parochial schools, and espe
cially condemn the so-called "Pough
been made side show, and hence car
| hauo littIo or No ralioiouo inAuanoa ir