The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-03
THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS.
Bishop Keane's Views on the Probable Re-
suits OF the Gathering in Chicago.


suits OF the Gathering in Chicago.
WARRINGTON. Oct. 2.-Bishop Keane. being
asked by the United Press for his views as to
the results likely to follow from the late Par
lament OF Religions. gives them as follows:
People have been entertaining views and
expectations OF the most opposite character
concerning this unique religious gathering
and its probable results. Some have thought
it an injury done to the Christian religion
which there seemed to be placed on the same
level as the heather religions: and some
Catholics have viewed In like manner tho
Church's appearance among the representa-
tives OF the separated communions. Others
have regarded It as slmost the end Of religious
differences. the ushering in OF the millen-
MUM. Both Of these views are extreme. and
therefore erroneous.
when the Archbishops Of the United States
after carefully considering the question, de-
cided that the Church should accept tho invi-
tation to take part In the Parliament. and re-
auested me to organize the Catholic represent
tation. they were equally far from condemning
it and from entertaining ,e1travagant expec-
to be an object lesson in the comparative study
Ss To- fsIsSSdns Sssvsr MN Ss
sss;lssS has Ssss the ssss +: .s$$$
the religious life OF. mankind only serves to
fs2 cn ns fhs sss tie All ss sGs
and true in them all: that they are only stem
ping stones toward it. The same Is true Of the
Christian denominations. The more eth they y' are
studied IN comparison with one another. the
piiss XII This $ .Se Arshbissops fully
nanse asp pessby y ne ca
from her standing, before the world in the
midst Of all the old religions which had pre-;
from her unity. Nor did they. on the other
hand. expect that good results. Of great i'm
Te1 Ms hS s
religious. world to know that prejudi Ices die
hold but slowly.
Things have turned out. think. quite in
Of sensible people, and am sonade nt that the
net result 81 tho Pa rliament will be for the
eesn % hs first ns'f henve afs
Father to see His scattered children meet on
the basis Of mutual respect and charity. . de;
too sommIonly inspire. This esEeeially
that utual love is the mark Of Christ's disci-
The hS that
religious strife and casting odium on each
others religion. This 10 q great advance In
every way. 1t will tend toward a reign OF
universal charity: and this is an indispensably
necessary condition for the reestablshment OF
unity In belief Men who suspect and hate one
another will never come to an agreement
In the next place. the world wide univer-
salty Of belief In the great essentials Of re-
ligon there made manifest has been q weighty
blow against existing tendencies toward
atheism. aGnosticism. deism. and m ere human
ism. The Parliament has been we'll styled a
union OF all forms OF religion against all forms
OF irreigion. Such protest OF all humanity
against materialism and irreliglon 10 q good
OF no small magnitude.
Again. the Parliament has been q practical
RESPONSE to the craving. now widely felt among
RES OF Christianity for the religious reunion Of
once united flock Of Christ Nearly every ut
show that the positive doctrinal ,diyerGences
which had held Christians apart during these
last three centuries were fast being obliter
ated; that there remain now LITTLE more
than negative ,divergences, which Just
such reunions and comparison OF views must
little By little relieve. The Parliament has
been along stride toward the much-desired
reunion OF Christendom. and. with that end in
view. the oftener such gatherings are held the
better. We will never come to reunion by
standing apart and scowling at one another.
All honor to the men who. by bringing about
this fraternal meeting OF all. have shown US
the way to harmony and unity"