Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-04
/ CURSED THE CHURCH.
A Canadian Priest Calls Down Gods
Wrath on a Catholic Chapel
WITH HIS UPLIFTED CRUCIFIX.
The Edifce Was Erected Against the Orders
of the Bishop.
FEELING OF TERROR ANON G THE PEOPLE

oh0 P"iioh VI MdSklnOnSe, dDous ~ hiAiN'
from Montreal, on Monday last, which with
Roman Catholics is the day of ST. Peter and
ST. Paul. 1t was the cursing of a church by
order of Bishop Lafeche, of Three Rivers,
and has caused indescribable excitement In
Roman Catholic circles. In the country
districts the inhabitants are talking OF
nothing else, and those Immediately con-
cerned are simply terror-stricken at what
they consider a fearful manifestation OF the
power of the Church.
I, The cursing of the church was done by
Redemptorist Father, acting evidently
under orders of Rev. Mr.. Lafleche, cure OF
Maskinonge, and nephew of Mgr. Lafeche,
Bishop of Three Rivers The action Of the
eccleslastics is the result of a schism in the
parish, brought about by dissensions as to
the location of the new parish church at
Maskinonge.
A Division in the Church.
Some months since it was decided to
erect new and larger church two miles
away from the old building, SO as to give
greater accommodation to the population.
Mgr. Lafeche visited the parish and Sc
lected site on the east side of the Maskin-
onge river. The spot was indicated by the
erection of cross. A. short time after the
inhabitants residing on the west side Of the
river, who are said to form the majority,
succeeded in inducing the Bishop to alter
his previous decision, and two months ago
the erection of the Church was commenced
on the west side of the river This
gave such offense to the larger portion of
the east side that they declared they would
not attend church on the west side, alleging
that they were the victims of an injustice
and that the change had been made for mo-
tives which they did not approve.
While the erection of the church was pro-
ceeding they met and decided to erect
wooden chapel. AT the time strong cleri-
cal influence was brought to bear upon the
rebellious parishioners in order to induce
them to give up the project, and the pun
ishment of the church was then threatened,
but they were stubborn and the work was
commenced.
Struck by Bolt From Heaven.
The erection of the opposition chapel was
proceeding rapidly, when, one night,
thunderbolt struck the new church, and it
was burned to the ground. In the country
round the ignorant inhabitants thought this
to be a visitation of God,. and those who
were building the church we're looked upon
with horror as having been placed outside
the pale of religion for their blasphemous
opposition to the will of the clergy. Such
an effect had the event that several of the
dissentors went to the confessional, ae-
knowledged their sin and were received
back into the Church. the clergy around,
too, used the incident as showing the pun
ishment that would be meted out to those
who disobeyed the commands of the Church.
Others of the malcontents, however, still
persisted in their stubborn determination to
erect the chapel on their own side of the
river, and eventually it was finished, al
though the priest of the district refused to
consecrate it.
Met There for Worship.
Since that time some 200 men, women
and children, having at their head some of
the leading citizens of the place, have been
in the habit of meeting there for worship.
The schoolmaster of the locality read the
prayers and recited the beads and choir
sang hymns, favorite one being ''Chretiens
qui Combattons."
Monday, the feast of St. Peter and St.
Paul, the dissentients had met in the chapel
at the same time as the rest of the parish
were at the old church, when they were
greatly surprised to see Rev. Father Savard,
of the Redemptorist order, enter the place
in his robes of Office and holding in his
hand crucifx. His arrival produced a
great sensation. 1t was known that he had
been called by Rev. Mr.. Lafeche to preach
a retreat in the parish church, and when he
first entered many thought he was coming
to bless the chapel. The priest walked down
the aisle, and, standing in front of the altar.
solemnly addressed the people, warning
them to renounce their schism and return to
the church.
One of the congregation said, 'Father,
bless our chapel and we will be happy to
listen to you.
Gods Wrath Called Down.
'eWhat, bless your chapel" replied the
Redemptorist. 'I should rather curse ii" %
and with his crucifx uplifted to heaven he
called down the awful wrath of God upon
the sacred. edifce When the father had
his hood over his head, so that the congrega-
ton could not see his face, and left the
chapel.
Before he could reach the door the con-
gregation called out "Father, father, do not
curse us and our families"
'T curse the place in which you have
met" replied Father Savard. The scene
that followed is said to have been frightful. |
Next to communication the cursing of |
their house of worship was deemed the |
most awful punishment the Church could |
infiict. Many of the women tainted, others |
shrieked and ran around wringine their |
hands. while others stood rooted to the spot |
with terror. Some of the little children,
who could not understand what was going |
on, ran crying to their mothers, who were
in many cases too helpless with terror to
notice them.
Even the men were stricken with the eff
fects of the priests curse and stood for a |
time stupefed Others of the men, how
ever we're almost wild with rage and conId |