The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-13
FATHER CORRIGAN'S TRIAL
An Event That Makes More Prominent
the Division in the Catholic Church.
The Liberal, or Patriotic Element, Pitted
Against the Cahensleyites. or Those Who
Favor Europeanizing America.

pOrtAnce. Inc l06u0o lnVOIve0 IN tnl6 COLI
test between two powerful forces not only
concern the Catholics of America but
every man who owes allegiance to the con-
stitution OF this country must feel pro-
foundly interested in the odtcome. 1t may
we'll be said that the trial this afternoon
and the causes which have led mp to 1t are
the most extraordinary events in the his
tory of the Roman Catholic Church N this
country. The most precious interests of
the church are ct stake. The result and
the Developments of the trial will affect
the influence-aye, the very life--of the
church in this country.
The growth and prosperity of the Church
of Rome in this country have thus far been
truly remarkable. Its rapid expansion has
kept pace with the astonishing progress of
American civilization. 1t was but natural
that In the course of the years large elc-
ment in that church should catch some
thing of the American spirit. While every
steamer that landed emigrants on these
shores brought new additions to the num-
bers of Catholic believers the second and
third generation of American Catholics
began to feel the living touch of American
genius. 1t would be wrong to suppose that
these American Catholics harbored even
church. The Catholic of American ances-
try felt the same devotion to the Holy See
as the most fcrvent ultramonteno OF Spain
or of Belgium. The Catholic In New York
faith IN the jogmas of Rome as the
Catholic in Dublin or Paris. AS on Ar,eri-
can, however, he began to look with dis
favor upon the efforts of Catholics. as well
as of other citizens. to characterize the
church to which he belonged as q foreign
institution. He conceived that American
ism and Catholicism were not at all irrec-
oncilably opposed to each osber, and as an
American Catholic he resented any such
assertion, open or implied.
On the other hand were the Roman Cath
olics. aliens or naturalIzed citizens. who ap-
peared to regard Americanism as their nat
ural enemy. They did not seem willing to
consider even the possibility of comprc-
than those by which the church had tri.
umphed in Europe. They felt no Inclina-
tion to study the Few situation in the new
country, but at once decided to look upon
t. with fss, and suspsGn This, This
has been described By Father CorriRan as
one of actual hostility to the country.
These two forces In the American church
of to-day met in decisive battle this after
noon. On the side of the defendant. Fa-
atlve of the liberal and American sentiment
within the Catholic Church of this conn
try. The opponents whom the Rev. Father
Corrigan meets represent the more numer-
ous and perhaps the more powerful ele-
ment within the Roman Church in this
country. Archbishop C0rrigan is squarely
and emphatically against Father Corrigan.
A majority of the bishops and arch bishops
Father CorriRan's cause. A respectable
minority are as yet noncommittal at this
stage Of the proceedings.
THE CHARGES AGAINST CORRIGAN.
The twelve counts upon which tho Rev.
Corrigan is arraigned before the curia are
as follows:
First-The publication in the New York Free
mans Journal and Catholic Register Of GOT %,
1892, of false statements In re, the German
American Catholic Congress, which met In New
ark, September, 1892.
second-That in the same paper, of the same
date, be falsely accused the members OF the Con-
gress OF treason to church and state
Third-That in the same paper. of the same date.
he falsely and maliciously accused the Bishop or
Newark with teaching the people to have actual
hostility and disloyalty to the state.
date. he accuses the Bishop OF Discrimination, in
sincerity and disloyalty to the Holy See.
Fifth-That in tie same paper, OF the Same
date. he falsely and maliciously accuses the
said bishops priests and laymen of presenting
the church In this conntry as foreign politico-
such to be abhorred to the grave detriment both
Of the church and of the above persons.
nal and Catholic Register of Nov. ~, 1892. he
falsely and maliciously. In fable called
Utopia" accuses the present Bishop OF New
diocese of Newark by Cahensley, of displaying
the grossest partiality for the German Catholic
laity and priests and the greatest injustice and
aversion to the English speaking clergy and peo-
pie.
seventh-That in the same newspaper and on
iciossy iye and dial falsely attributed to to- Bishop 4gger
language and treatment claimed 10 have been
used by him with regard TO Irish Catholics and
priests which are calculated to excite the
fiercest national hatred of the whole Irish race
against the Bishop. and so arouse schism in the
diocese.
the same date he falsely and maIiciously at
tributed to the present Bishop of Newark lam
guage and conduct which made him ridiculous,
are grossly insulting, and tend 70 completely
undermine his legitimate authority.
Ninth-That In the same newspaper. and on
the same date. he maliciously insults Arch
Tenth-That in the same paper and on Oct.
%, and Nov. 9. 1892, he falsely and malciously
Eleventh-That he has willfully and cODtu-
maciously disobeyed and violated the precepts
given him by the Bishop of Newark in let er
dated Nov. 15 1892, and has, moreover. in his
answer to said letter. added new insults and In
juries to the bishop and TO the German American
priests and people,
violated the decree. No 23l of the third plenary
council of Baltimore, by his publication In the
New York Freeman's Journal OF Oct 20, 1892,
and Nov. IL. 1892.
The Rev. j. J. O'Connor. vicar general of
the Newark diocese and professor of dog
matIc theology in the diocesan seminary at
Seton Hall. is the judge, and Father Corri-
gan IS represented By the Rev. Richard
Lalor Burteell, of Rondout, formerly pastor
OF the Epiphany Church in New York.
Father Corrigan wanted Archbishop Sa-
toll. the papal delegate. to judge the case,
but his request was overruled.
The first question brought before the
Judge. at the trial to-day was as to the
secrecy of the proceedings. 1t was the ex-
pressed wish of Bishop Wigger that no
statement should be given out for publica-
tion and that the persons present should
pledge themselves TO silence. But when
the oath had been administered to all ex-
cept Father COrriRan, he refused to bind
himself. claiming that, as tho defendant
in an ecclesiastical trial of country wide
express his views and to make
known the proceedings OF the trial
To give effect to his protest be asked the
privilege of the presence of q stenographer.
and his request was backed by DIR. Burt
sell, but DIR. O'Connor decided
to the contrary. 1t was proposed
that Mgr. Doane. who is q member of
Bishop Wigger's household, should be ap-
pointed referee with DR.. OConnor TO
hear the evidence of witnesses on Wednes-
day and to report to the regular
court on Thursday; This was agreed
and :hsD,a also t that tad a1iso'iSns by
time. and that If the two referees cannot
agree as TO bias they are TO select third
referee. The report of the referees will
then 90 to Bishop Wigger and thus the