Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-02
OUR MAIL POUCH.


Cdtn0ucl8Iu IN <3ncleub AIucLlCas
To the Editor Of The Dispatch.
A few days ago learned from DISPATCH
editorial that researches are going to be
made in the library OF the Vatican for docu-
mentary evidence of the good work OF the
early Roman Catholic priests in America AS
have reason to believe that the fnforma-
tions forthcoming regarding the work OF
the Roman Church in the prosperous colo
nies of the Scandinavians settled in various
parts of North America several centuries be-
fore the arrival of Columbus, will, perhaps,
be confined within limited sphere, it may
not prove wholly uninteresting for the read
ers of The DISPATCH to have pointed out to
them q part of ancient history, authentic,
but not universally known. 1t is not neces-
sary to cross the creek for drink.
The American settlements of the sea-
rowing Mortimer of the viking age and the
visit of Columbus, in the year l417, to the
vikings OF Iceland, where he derived all his
nautical knowledge guiding him to the
western Continent, are too well known
facts to bear repetition. Fourhundred years
before the birth of the Spanish adventurer
Roman Catholic missionaries were spread
ing the Gospel in the Scandinavian colonies
of Finland, Massachusetts Newfoundland
and Greenland. So far the struggling par
ishes and missionary stations Of these re-
mote parts were without central ecclesl-
astic government. But in the year 1858
Jon, the first Roman Catholic prelate in
America, was sent on q mission of organiza-
tion to what is now known as New England.
After four years OF labor the Bishop was
killed, probably by the Indians or SCALA
wags" who constantly worried the infant
settlements. The See of Finland remained
now vacant during So long years, after which
interregnum Bishop Erick Gnupsson was
ordained in the Id cathedral of Lund, Swe-
den, to succeed Bishop Jon, and arrived in
FINLAND in ll3l. Bishop Gnupsson was pre-
viously the head of the Roman Catholic
Church OF Greenland. His successors IN
Greenland and the West were: Arnold, i12A
D.; Helgo, liz A. D.; Nikolaus, 1884 A. D.;
Olas, l246 A. d. Thord Tor as he called him
self, Theodorus), l2sS, A. D., Arno, 1S4, A. D.,
Jonas Calyus. ,1s4s, A. D., Alpho Berthold,
whom lived 1885, A. d. In the year 1io6 the
Archbishop of Throndhjem in Norway con-
secrated certain priest, named Andreas, as
bishop OF the scandinavian colonies IN the
West and sent him thither, but no inforn1a-
tion whatever exists of his voyage.
The cis-Atlantic settlements of the Scandi-
navians suffered greatly from never-ceasing
l.'digerdoden'') which 5s2 years ago ravaged
Europe was carried across the sea by migrat-
ing vikings, the already weakened colonies
were doomed. We are reminded of these sad
occurrences by the Pope NilSaiau ", who in
the year l44S proclaimed a bulla ,ad ddressec.to
the bishops Of Ska tholt and Hoslum in Ice
land, charging these prelates with the care
OF the western churches after the almost
general destruction. The records covering
the entire history OF the colonization Of Fin
land and the Contamination Of its ancient
inhab1tants, sons and daughters of the 'lofty
iMortn, are undoubtedly to be found in the
nDrary OF tho Vatican. But the persistent
zeal OF the authorities in preserving the
genuineness and sanctity of Columbus seems
an impenetrable rock for the delving his
tor1an who works to bring full light upon
tnls interesting question.
ALLEGHENY, September l.