St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-23
"PRIESTEN VEREIN. !"
Formal Opening Of the Ger
man Catholic Congress at
Buffalo.
Some Notable Incidents Occur
During the Initial Ger
emonieS.
Father Zureker Is Politely
Requested to Leave the
Meeting.
Bishop Zardetti, Of Minnesota,
Delivers a Passionate
Address.

calling it ''un-American." The printed
programme of the congress announces
that the sessions of the verein are open
10 bishops and priests without distinc-
ton. Father Zurcher'S avoWed pur-
pose. in taking advantage of this an
nouncement, was to secure a report OF
the proceedings. in which nothing would
be suppressed, particularly if the
scheme of Herr Cahensly or similar
topics were discussed. Father Eur.
cher's presence was discovered IN short
order, however, and proceedings were
practically suspended until, after some
minutes, he withdrew.
Members of the verein said he was not
asked to leave, and that the objection to
Father Zurcher was that it was thought
his report would have been malicious,
as he is an AlSatian. and has shown
himself prejudiced, and In any event
his undertaking was uncalled for, as
the Vereln would furnish sufficient in
formation to the newspapers. Before
Father Zurcher'S withdrawal from the
meeting the chairman, Father Meissner,
though not addressing Rev. Mr.. Zurcher
directly, took occasion to declare that
the verein was not working to secure
German bishops in the United States,
and that it was not opposed to temper
ance.
KatZer as Celebrant.
Archbishop KatZer, of Milwaukee,
whose ecclesiastical promotion in Amer
lea is justly OF unjustly asserted to have
been aided by the present German en-
peror's ambassador at Rome, was the
dignitary VINO to-day formally opened
the German-AmericaE Catholic con-
gress. as celebrant of pontifical high
mass. 1t was at the installment in Office
of some exalted ecclesiaStic few weeks
ago in Milwaukee that Cardinal Glib
bons startled a multitude 10y invoking
woe upon the individual. whoever he
might be, that should bring diSSenSion
into the hierarchy of America.
The surroundings of to-day's cere-
mOnial were no less notable than the
celebrant. Next to the archbishop at
the altar, and acting as deacon of the
mass, was the chief officer of the cele
DRAFTED "Priester Verein," or German
American Clerical union-Vicar Gen
eral Muehlseipen, of st. Louis. Father
Tappert, of Cincinnati, the organizer of
the Verein, sat within the sanctuary,
close to such popularity reputed beIiev-
erS in GermaniZing the control of the
Catholic church i'll the United States as
Rt. Rev. Bishop Wigger, of New Jer-
sey, and Very Rev. Administrator
Kersten, of the diocese of Green Bay,
Wis. Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo. was
duly present, notwithstanding the sup
posed antagOnism toward prelates of
nOn-German extraction.
Bishop ZardettI's EIoquence.
A most dramatic and passionate adj
dress that when the time came was de-
hvered from the cathedral pulpit by
Bishop Otto Zardetti, of ST. Cloud,
MINI. He spoke entirely in German.
Germany he likened to ones father or
mother, America to his bride. They
had left Germany and were welded to
America, and to the latter they should
adhere. He said they should learn the
language of their new country, but they
were bound also in gratitude to remem-
Der and slove the language OF their
mother. The bishop closed with re-
markably eloquent tribute to the Amer
lean flag.
Following the mass. the lay portion
of the huge congregation dispersed and
the priests repaired TO the first session
of the PreiSter Verein. 1t was held in
strict privacy. Notwithstanding the
secrecy maintained, one of the members,
Father Hagen, of st. Louis, declared
that nothing had taken place during the
meeting which they would have OBJ
iected to anybody knowing. Rev.
William Pape. of Peru, ILL.,, talked in a
similar vein. He said, speaking Off
clally, after the meeting was over, on
behalf of the society, for publication {:
1.-The only important proceeding was
the adoption of an extended constitu-
ton. The one heretofore in use was
very brief. but in effect practically the
same as that which to-day we debated
carefully and voted on section by Sec
ton. The name accepted is the Ger
man-American Society of Priests
Membership and object.
membership is open to Catholic cler-
gymen who are of German extraction,
or those who have charge of German
congregations, and also to those priests,
regardless of nativity, who speak, be-
sides English, the German language.
The first object of the society is to give
aid in the organization of annual con-
venti0nS of all Catholic laymen in the
United States. The ultimate object of
these conventions is TO encourage and
train the mass of Catholic laymen SO
that they may take an active part in the
solution of the great social problems of
the day from Catholic standpoint
The second object of this priests
society is to practically aid in executing
the resolutions adopted at the annual
conventions if approved by the bishops
is whose dioceseS branch societies are
established. The fourth object is 10
help the LEO house," in New York, an
institution for the protection of Catholic
emigrants, and a further purpose is to
guide the Young Mems Catholic associ-
alton and similar associations.
THE spirit during the entire session. -
continued Father Pape, was one of
cordial unity. The various addresses
indicated throughout fidelity to church
society is contained in the constitution
of the United States. On the great edu.
cational question the society's motto is
"Heme rule for the American family
the right to control the education OF
of children belongs to the parents. .
Father Pape said that
Two Hundred Were Present
in the meeting, including Archbishop
Katzer, of Milwaukee, and Bishop Wig
ger, of New Jersey. The meeting Of
young men announced in the congress
programme to take place at D. M, was
attended by about 125 delegates. The
proceedings were in German. Revision
of the constitution was the work il
hand. and the chief alteration was the
adoption of provision that the organi
cation shall never become benevolent
society. 1t purposes are to maintain q
close fraternal spirit among German
Catholic young men, to encourage them
In the faith, and to conduct proper So
cial entertainments. Travelling cards
are to be furnished the members
journeying to distant cities, particularly
to recent emigrants.
The first business meeting of the
open congress of priests and laymen
was held this afternoon. Between 800
and 400 delegates we're present. The
proceedings were confined to the cleo
ton of officers for the congress and the
consideration of resolutions which had
passed muster as unobjectionable be
fore the advisory board or censorship
committee of members Of the clerical
aniOn The following officers RECON-