The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-18
TIE CONTROVERSY OF THE CATHOLIC
PRELATES.

The controversy which is going on
among the ar%chbishops and bishops of
the Catholic Church in this country,
even If the causes of it were not impor-
tant. would attract wide attention be-
cause of the general opinion outside
that church that there can be no serious
differences among Catholic prelates.
Unlike the controversies in Protestant
churches. that of the Catholic prelates
is not over creeds and doctrincs, but
policies and methods. While, in some
respects. 1t involves simply a difference
OF individual opinions, in its more gen.
eral features it appears to be a conten-
ton between progressive and cOnserva-
tive sections. or between an element
which is American by birth and educa-
ton. and which would recognize Amer
lean citizenship, and an element which
would practically isolate she Catholic
Church from the American people
and their institutions. Years ago the
larger part of the Catholic clergy
came from European countries. They
were strangers to the government aud
the institutions of the country, and they
naturally pursued a policy which separ-
ated the communicates of the Catholic
Church from the mass of people. In
Inter years, however, thousands of men
have become priests who were born in
this country. grew up among its people
and shared the patriotic sentiment of
the country. During the war period, as
boys. they became thoroughly imbued
with the patriotic sentiment of that era.
In all matters of doctrine they are as
much Catholics as any who belong to
the church, but az Americans and citi-
zens they believe in a church which
shall be in harmony with the genius of
the Republic. They would have the
Catholic Church in harmony with the
institutions of the country. even to its
system of public schools. They see that
a church which recognizes the duties of
American citizenship will be stronger in
this country than one which assumes
an attitude in which the require
ment Of the church may interfere
with the duties and privileges OF the
citizen. As the Episcopal and other
churches have adapted themselves to
the institutions OF this country, these
American prelates would have the Cath
Ollie Church. in its methods. adapt itself
to the Republic. Archbishop Ireland Is
the most conspicuous leader of this ele-
ment
The other element is made up largely
of men of a single idea. They are like
those Protestants whN are so much the
victims of Romanphobia that they see
in a Catholic priest a monster in all sorts
of wickedness to be denounced on every
occasion. Many of these prelates are
foreign born and of foreign education.
They would establish the church rule Of
European countries. largely ignoring the
difference between Europe and America.
Many of these come to churches whose
communicates do not speak the prevail
ing language of the country. Some
of them desire to maintain distinct
race and language churches in this
country, because they fear hat the
speaking of o general language will
weaken their influence. They do not
want an American Catholic Church. but
a German, a Polish. an Italian Catholic
Church in the United States, whose
communicates shall retain, as far as
possible. their foreign peculiarities-
just as the leaders of certain Protestant
denominations which do not speak En-
glish contend for the teaching of their
languages in their own schools.
Strange as it may seem, the Pope has
taken grounds in favor of what may be
called an American Catholic Church.
He has not only practically declared
that there shall be no wal upon the pub
l~ic-school system, but that Catholic par
ents may avail themselves of its advan-
tages. He has sent a representative
here to announce and explain his liberal
policy, and very naturally the SINGLE
idea and un-American element are not
pleased.