Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-02
CAHENSLY'S SECOND.
Another Memorial to the Holy See
at Rome.
LOSS OF THE CHURCH IN AMERICA.
The Almost Exclusive Irish Episcopacy De-
clared to Have Baleful Efeet-The In
terests of European Nations Con-
cerned In Making Change.

BERLIN, July COPIES of the full
text of the second memorial presented
by Herr Cahensly to the papal secre-
tary of state, Cardinal Rampolla, have
been put into circulation. The greatest
Importance is attached to the memorial.
If, as it is hoped, the holy see can be
induced to follow out its recommends
tons and appoint large number OF
German clergymen as bishops in the
United States, the German influence
across the Atlantic will be vastly in;
creased and will rebound directly to the
growth of the home German gov
eminent in American affairs Herr Ca
hensly, indeed, appeals for aid to other
foreign governments, Italy, Austria,
Spain, Canada, promising them IN re-
turn due share of the prestige which
will come for division of the episco-
pal sees of America among the repre-
sentatives of the different classes of
immigrants. 1t is felt here, neverthe-
less, that the lions share will fall to
the lot of the empire. The war on the
Irish bishops lin America" will he
prosecuted with vigor. 1t will be no
fault of Herr Cahensly if he fails. The
text of the memorial in part says:
Most Eminent Lord: We come to humbly
submit to your eminence some considera-
tions upon the subject of emigration to the
United States of North America This great
question affects interests that are of very
great Importance whether they be regarded
from a social or from a religious point OF
view. The current which is carrying away
to America populations of different nation
Rlities is already formidable; in the future it
is likely to become irresistible. As is proven
by the table of statistics appended to
this memorial 4a9, 400 Catholics left Europe
for the American continent during the year
1889; of this number 17s9OO went to the
United States. The same country re-
ceiYed, moreover, thousands of emf
grants from Canada. Mexico, Brazil and
other countries of Latin America. CAL
culations based upon the most authoritative
statistics go to show that Catholic imm-
grants and their children ought to constitute
in the United states Catholic population OF
25,OOO,OO0. But the fact is that the number of
Catholics IN that vast country scarcely ex,
ceeds 1O,OOO,0Ol CatholIcity, therefore, has
up to the present date sustained net loss
of 100000 in the great American republic.
The following are the chief causes of this
desertlon on the part of the Catholic forces:
BTst-The lack of sufficient protection for
the emlgrants at the time of their departure
from home during their voyage and on their
arrival in America.
second-The insuniciency of priests and
parishes Of their own, for the different
hTionaIities of immigrants.
Ihird-The pecuniary saeEificcs, often e1-
OTbitan', that are exacted of the faithful.
FOurth-The public schools.
Fifth-The insufiiciency of societies, Cath
e'io and national associations of mutual aid.
Sixthz-Ihe want of different representa-
tives of the different nationalities of imml-
grants in the episcopate.
After speaking of the great influence
of the bishops the memorial says:
Upon this question depends the solution
of the greatest problem of the present times,
the problem of the immigration of nations.
First, the salvation of souls Is herein con-
corner niahoDs who are strangers TO the
spirit character, habits AM customs OF
other nations can not in the required meas
ure adopt their virtues and knowledge and
appreciate and effectually attend to the
wants o. those nations. Again the con
cord between the different nations is af-
fected by this question. If the episcopate be
handed over almost exclusively to one single
nationality, to the detriment of others, feel
ing of uneasiness. of general discomfort is
created among these last, n feeling which
assumes the proportions of Jealous national
rivaries. The want of justice is as pressing
as the want of bread. 1t is desired that con-
cord and harmony reign among the different
nations that go to make up the churches of
the United states. Nothing is moro desirs
able, nothing more essential The sole aud
only way to attain this end Is to give to
every one of these nations bishops of their |
own, bishops belonging to each, who will |
represent their respective nations in the |
episcopal body, Just as these nations are |
represented among the parochial clergy and |
among the faithful
As the diocCses are formed of Catholics of |
different natlonalities there is no question |
of demanding the division of these dioceses
according to nationalities. What is expected |
of the holy see IS that bishops of the differ |
ent nations will be placed in the episcopal |
body, so that the different nations will be |
represented by some of their own people in |
the episcopate, in the ecclesiastical pro- |
vinces and in the councils. Thanks to this |
prudent measure the church of the United |
States, being composed of such different |
nations, will have a character of UNIVERSAL |
ty like that of the nation ITSELF
The time has come when governments can /
no longer remain Indifferent to this grave
and important question For example, is 1t
matter of no consequence to England, Ire
land, France, Germany. Italy, Canada, Aus
tria- Hungary, Spain and other governments
that they number in youthful country, and /
one full of prospects, millions of fellow cit
liens, forming part of the nation and taking
active part in industry, commerce, poll
tics, social life and public affairs? 1t must |
not be lost sight of that the American ma
ton, the people of the United States, is not
people of one race only but of all races, of all
natOnalities. Every race, every nationality
may take its place in this the sunlight. Pre-
cisely owing to this fact and because religion
is the cornerstone and the keystone of every
social edifice, the nations have an immense |
interest in their emigrants being represent
ed in the episcopate of the United States by
bishops of their own. And therein lies the |
reason why all the nations whose popula-
tions are emigrating to the great republic
are expecting from the paternal solicitude
of the holy see bishops whom their dearest
interests call for. Finally the holy see is in
terested in the matter.
The memorial then argues that the
appointment of bishops for the differ
ent nations would bring them closer to
the holy see and thereby help the growth
of the chuYch.
1t is signed by the officials of the
Raphael society and accompanying it
are immigration statistics
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