Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-12-08
CATHOLIC UNREST.

New York Press.
Doctrinal disputes and disturbances
have been frequent and significant in
the world of Professionalism during the
last few years. They have by common
consent been interpreted as indicating
transition from old forms and beliefs to
others more in consonance with modern
intellectual advancement. The Catholic
Church has also been undergoing a
g.adual transformation, alshough, due
no doubt to its superior organization and
system of discipline, so many outward
manifestations of the inner movement
have not appeared. Yet there have been
occasional outbursts. Such was Dr.
McGlynn's controversy with his ecclesi-
astical superiors, followed by his sus
pension and accommodation Father
Lambert, the noted controversialist, had
trouble with his bishop and was called
to Rome. The school controversy has
broken out at various times and places,
always with the result of arraying not
only lay Catholics but priests and bishops
as well on opposing sides. The project
known as Cahenslyism, advanced by a
German ecclesiastic for the appointment
of foreign bishops to take charge of the
spiritual affairs of Catholics of the same
nationalities in this country and to teach
them in their native language, served as
l. 81 al 10 Il iyyiCi
alacrity and decision with which priests
and laymen have taken sides on all these
questions and the published expressions
of opinion which they have brought
out show beyond doubt that the same
currents of unrest disturb Catholicism
which are vexing Protestanism.
The latest phase of Catholic discomfort
with old methods and ideas is the con-
troversy waging between Bishop Wigger,
of Newark, and one of the priests of his
diocese, the Rev. Patrick COrrigan, of
Hoboken. The bishop has construed
as personal reflections upon himself GER
tain attacks made by Father Corrigan
upon what he cOnstrues as tendency
in the Newark diocese to accentuate
race distinctions among Catholics and to
countenance the introduction of Cahen-
slyism. Father Corrigan has been or
dered to appear for trial before the
diocesan court, and his case may divide
the whole Catholic population of the
United States into hostile camps.
In the main American Catholicism
has gained by these disturbances. The
Pope has shown a decided tendency
toward larger liberty for priests in their
subsection to bishops, larger liberty for
the people in their relation to priests
His known attitude, as much as the in
fluence of the lower ranks of the Amer
ican clergy. was responsible for the
granting to priests by the Third Plenary
Council of Baltimore of the right to
voice in the selection of bishops to pre-
side over them. His refusal to condemn
the Faribault school system and his dis
approval of Cahenslyism were especially
significant. Not less so, as indicating
the loosening of old bonds which is in
progress, was the action of the late con-
ference of archbishops in this city in
practically approving the public schools.
The presence in this country now of
special envoy from the Vatican may be
taken as evidence of Leo's interest in
the American situation and his desire to
keep closely in touch with public senti-
ment here.