The sun., 1893-08-06
TIE RELIGIOUS QUESTION


| 1ntoilteisn, Deadly Danger TO Cnthouetnu'
To THE EDITOR OF TIE suN-.Sb, Innumera
| BILE Catholics throughout the country hav'
hailed your magnificent article on tho 70
liglous question written by catholic
American" us the inauguration OF now err
In tho religious affairs OF the Catholic Churcf
In America. The order that has been so un
fortunately established hero cannot last anf
the sooner this fact is recognized the better u
will be for all concerned. Had Romo wished
to strike fatal blow at it's own prestige and
authority. 1t could not have taken a more direct
course to attain that end. The appointment
OF Mgr Satoli has dono moro to destroy
Rome's influence in this country. and ia
cheaper it's authority. than the combined ut
tacks OF eectarianism and rationallsm ever
could have accomplished. Rome's authority,
vested In the present delegate. has. sad to say.
become a byword and mockery. The Pope
In Rome was the admiration OF the world the
Pope in America in the person OF his delegate
Is now dishonored and disgraced.
No other result could have been expected. II
is, and 1t ever will be. impossible for any for
egner. no matter how great his learning or his
piety. to take charge OF tho affairs Of any or
ganization SO vast and complicated as the
Catholic Church Is in the United States and
rule it successfully. The difficulty is increased
when the delegate does not understand the
language OF the people: when no is surround
ed by Il clique: when even his newspapers are
exrurgated before he roads them: when he
comes with policy which. right or wrong. he
is bent on carrying out: when ho judges In
dividual cases. not on their merits. but on the
supposed agreement or disagreement Of the
contestants with his settled Views and ten
dency: when opponents OF authority are pat
ted on the back. and those who seek NJ favor
and ask no privileges nre called heretics and
schismatics. Mgr. Satolli has not brought
peace to the Church in America There will be
no peace here while he remains. There will
be no peace so long as an Apostolic Delega-
tion. composed exclusively OF foreigners. rules
the Catholic Church in America.
Strange. indeed. It is that the few, the very
few prelates who favored Mgr. Satollts ap-
pointment were not far-seeing enough to
recognize the truth that inevitable failure
must be tho result Of his mission. The Apos-
tolic Delegation. as at present organized.
could not under any circumstances stand the
test OF time Its origin was too clearly to be
sought In the efforts Of individuals. who had
plans and designs OF their own. 1t was. or
would necessarily soon become distasteful to
the American spirit. which cherishes tho idea
OF home rule. Our allegiance to Rome and
Rome's supremacy could both have been
preserved by an arrangement which would not
be in conflict with our political aspirations
and institutions. We can be true sons Of the
Church. true disciples Of the Fisherman. with
out the present incubus. Very easily a su-
preme court acting as an Apostolic Delega-
tion and composed OF American prelates. with
their assistants and advisers. could be insti-
tuted. Then the difficulties OF discipline could
be authoritatively settled. and all concerned
would acquiesce most readily in the decision.
Here let me add an idea to the plan Of ad-
lustment proposed by your admirable corre-
l do not think that any one man
can ever rule the local affairs of the Church in
this country. Even In Rome great questions.
before being brought to tho Holy Father, are
and Investigated by commissions Of
Cardinals with tho assistance OF learned
and ecclesiastical advocates. Here
In this country supreme ecclesiastical trl-
bunal. consisting OF several Archbishops.
could without difficulty be constituted. Had
the Archbishop OF st. Paul used his genius
Tor the establishment OF such a tribunal. his
name to-day would be held in benediction
the land and his patriotism would
not be impugned.
Mgr. Satoli has shown himself. from the day
10 set foot on American soil. to be lamentably
deficient In the qualities necessary for tho
'fllce OF supreme ruler OF the Church In Amer
ca. His tendency OF mind does not ft him for
he office OF Judge. Too long he has been en-
,aGed in tho disputes OF metaphysics. and in
consequence he has tho character not OF a
udge. but OF a partisan. He has been a great
eacher in Rome. and he may be assured that
american Catholics wish him many long years
II still greater success in the same capacity,
md In the same locality. He has never ap-
'eared in this country with the dignity of
a q " aQf rfofty H.
nGly been pleased by the hattery of SELF
eekers. accepting their invitations and
living to rebellion honors which years OF
aithful service and obedience would not have
Jared to ask for He has endeayored to force |
thers to participate In the honors thus show |
red by him on recalcitrants: he has not hesi- |
atsd to brand the refusals OF decent seIf-re- |
pect with uncomplimentarye epithets: he even |
aid. on one occasion. that an expostulation |
most respectfully worded would meet with the |
iGnal mark OF his high displeasure: and in a |
ew weeks the signal mark has been given.
ie bound himself to continue his good will |
oward the recalctrant element by graciously |
eignina to accept the valuable tokens which |
hoy did not fail to present to their honored
uest. These actions do not correspond with
ur American ideas OF dignity and justice.
Those who know Mgr. Satolli during his
areer at Rome. are at a loss to understand
ow man so undoubtedly pious and learned
ould. with the best Of intention. have made
uch deplorable blunders His failure Is but
mother proof that men OF undoubted genius
scholastic pursuits are not always men of
Hairs. nor capable Of setting themselyes
bove their surroundings and OF penetrating
,e masks OF fattorers and looking deeper
ian the smiles OF adulation. Leo. in his
reatness. with tho interests OF all the world
heart cannot fail to see. before many
onths have passed. that the Church in
merica is not prospering under the present
elcGate. Mgr. satolli's proper place is not in
merica but in Italy.
CATHoLIcUs ION SAToLLICus.
The Penalty OF Having ~ had Namo,