Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-12-09
Addresses q Typical Bismarck Audi
ence Last Evening at the
Atheneum,
And Speaks on the Misrepresentation
Of Catholicism Which Often
Prevail.
He Is an Entertaining and Logical
Speaker and Makes an Excel
lent Impression.


How Catholicism Is Misrepresented.
The Atheneum was we'll filled last
Monday with persons who we're present
to hear Bishop Stanley speak on the
misrepresentation of Catholicism.
The mayor and city council had seats
on the stage, and also Father Martin.
The bishop was introduced by the
mayor with the following words: II
have the pleasure, ladies and gentlemen,
to introduced the Right Reverend
Bishop Stanley of North Dakota, who
will now favor us with one of his most
eloquent lectures"
The bishop took exception to the adj
~jective used in his introduction, and
said his effort was dignified when termed
a lecture, claiming it was simply to be a
social talk. A talk of a society that had
existed for over four centuries, existed in
every land and cline where ever Ian
guage was used. A society that was
as strong a hundred years ago as now.
In its membership was contained the
ablest and wisest scholars, and also
many who could not read or write,
The society was ruled over by one Leo.
The bishop went on to give in a general
way some historical facts in regard TO
the church. He said that Catholicism
had been misrepresented by the news
papers, by many of the great authors,
and by many who pretened to be schol-
ars, and that it was for the REPUTATION of
these falsehoods he was there to address
the audience.
The bishop said there were two kinds
of lies, the material lie, and the formal
lie. The material lie was one made
! unknowingly, and the formal lie known
to be a falsehood. Which kind of lies
were those scattered broadcast about
Catholicism he did not know, but they
were lies just the same.
Many persons, he continued, believe
Catholicism to teach that all persons
who do not belong to the Catholic
church are doomed to everlasting
damnation. This he characterized as an
utter falsehood, either ignorant or ma
licious. Catholicism, he went on,
teaches that all persons who endeavor to
serve God, as they believe He should be
served, will find reward in heaven, and
that it teaches also, that only two per-
sons are known to bein hell, Dives and
Judas. Beyond this all was conjecture.
As to the general belief that priests
can forgive sins, and that they are paid
by the seeker after forgiveness, the
bishop said he admitted the first part.
Priests act as mediators between
God and men; they are the recog-
nized successors of the apostles Of
Christ, and as such are en-
powered to forgive sins. But he, who
seeks forgiveness must be truly and
sincerely repentant. And as to the
second part of the belief he said it was
wickedly false. Persons who think that
priests have q regular tariff for forgivlng
sins-swear words, $1.50, or six for SIS;
lies, 10 cents; staying away from church,
IS; getting drunk, SO cents, and SO on
were ignorant and labored under a mis-
apprehension.
OF many other popularly ridiculous
beliefs he spoke. The pope, said he
was the head Of the church, as all
societies have 9 head. He was ths
recognized successor Of Peter, and a
! such was empowered TO settle all dis