Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-12-17
THE CHURCH TROUBLE.
An Explanation of the Greek
Priests Meeting.
LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH
THINK THE CZAR OF RUSSIA HAD
A HAND IN SHAPING THE COURSE
OF RECENT EVENTS HERE.

The recent meeting at Hazleton of the
priests of the Greek Catholic Church has
aroused considerable discussion among
the members of that denomination in
this vicinity, according to interviews
with members here. 1t will be remem-
bered that a movement was started at
Rome some years ago which resulted in
a partial agreement between the Aus
trian branch of the Greek Catholic
Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
and it was understood that the rule of
celibacy should he gradually established.
Their forms of worship were similar in
all respects, save that of language, the
Greek Church using the language spoken
in each country where it was establish
ed, while the Roman Church insisted on
a universal language, Latin.
The influx of the denomination to this
country was followed by priests of their
church, who were sent here by Arch
bishop Sembratovich, of Lemburg, Aus
tria, to build churches and otherwise
attend to the spiritual needs of the
foreigners. This was done and the
priests and congregations were after
wards transferred to the jurisdiction of
the Roman Catholic bishops of the
dioceses in which they are located, the
two bodies working harmoniously. The
majority of these priests, however, were
married, but the American bishops de-
sired to have them replaced by single
men and, it is stated, forwarded re-
quest to that effect to Rome. They also
wanted to enforce the substitution of the
Latin rites. This request was granted
and the married priests ordered to re-
turn to Europe. Some of them were in
clined to rebel at this, and to discuss the
subject the recent convention was called.
According to the report of their pro-
ceedings they received and considered
communication refusing their request to
be permitted to conduct services in the
language understood by their people and
to have bishop of their own race and
also to marry. They resolved upon their
ultimatum as to these points and unless
they receive a favorable reply declare
their purpose to refuse allegience to the
church of Rome. Those who are rebell-
ing will meet again to take final action
at Wilkes Barre on February |.
The number proposing to act indepen-
IDENTITY does not include half of the
Greek priests in the United States, and
these are opposed in several places by
the congregations, which prefer to remain
obedient to Rome. Among those who
refused to take part in the revolt is Rev.
Cyril Ganvolics, the pastor of St. Marys
Greek Church of Freeland. He declines
to have anything to do with the move
ment, and is satisfied to remain under
the rule of Bishop O'Hara. He is un-
married and has the unanimous support
of the congregation for the position he
takes.
Prominent members of the church
here give it as their opinion that the
trouble was commenced at the instiga-
ton of the main body of the Greek
Catholic Church, the head of which is
the Gar of Russia. who is endeavoring
to win back the Austrian branch. AS
proof of their suspicious they point to
the case of Rev. Alexander 10th, of
Minneapolis, who was the leading spirit
in the convention and prospective can
didate for the bishopric he wanted
created Since his return from Hazleton
he has taken over with him his congre-
cation to the orthodox Greek Church,
and announced that the Russian Govern
ment would hereafter aid and give them
financial support.