Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-01-26
The Apostolic Delegation.

The establishment of permanent
apostolic delegation in the Unitet
States, and the confirmation OF Mgr
Satolli as the first delegate, mark I
new era in the history of the Roman
Catholic Church in this country. The
full extent of the power conferred OF
the delegate by the Pope is still a mat
ter of conjecture. but, doubtless, it i!
large and comprehensive.
The differences between the Ameri
can prelates have been exaggerated by
newspapers, we imagine, so far. a
least, as the reported personal rancol
with which they are accompanied is
concerned; but unquestionably, differ
ences over questions of Church policy
have occurred, and, apparently, they
have been serious. It is undeniable
too, that there has been some friction
between priests and superior ecclesias
teal authorities, and race differences
and distinctions may have tended to in.
crease the embarrassment.
Mgr. Satolli as the Fapal delegate,
charged with important powers and
having great responsibility, enjoys the
advantage of being outside of these
controversies. He is not complicated
with them, but occupies a position OF
entire neutrality which enables him to
regard them judicially. He is also a
man of great ability and long exper-
ience in dealing with questions and
problems concerning Church policy
and discipline.
The Roman Church in America has
always been a missionary enterprise
under the government o the Propa-
ganda, and until within recent years it
was comparatively feeble alongside OF
the Protestant community. 1t was first
recruited, to large extent, from the
immigration which came over from
Ireland after 1916, and since that time
it has increased numerically from about
one million adherents to eight Or ten
millions. It's advance in material pros
perity and in influence has been even
more rapid than its growth in numbers.
Its Church property has multiplied SO
that it now includes spme of the most
valuable sites in every town of the
Union. The Roman Catholic churches,
monasteries, and various
Institutions of charity and distinguish
ed for their magnitude, and in many of
the large towns more especially its ad-
here>ts from majority of the popula-
ion. 1t has Cardinal, and both its
prelacy and its ordinary priesthood
nave increased rapidly and necessarily
n numbers and in influence. The
great Roman Catholic parade during
he Columbian celebration in New York
afforded an indication of this surpris-
ng progress in New York more partic
llarly.
Since the first great Irish immigra-
ion it's numerical strength has been
ncl eased at a rapid rate by the subse-
Juent flood of German and Italian inn
migration more especially. Its adher-
,nts are of many nationalities, includ-
ng many American converts; and it
las risen greatly in social Importance.
t is more respected by Protestants
han formerly and more justly regard
d by them. The Catholic Church in
he United States has become one of
he most important parts of the whole |
piritual kingdom ruled by the Pope.
Accordingly Leo XIII. is now giving
o it the distinguished consideration it
nerits at his hands. He is seeking |
0 unity and harmonic it in order that
/ may the better fulfil the great destiny
,hich he foresees for it. He is bring
ng it in closer relations with Rome,
nd he has signalized his consciousness
t its power and Importance by giving
, permanent apostolic delegation
irectly representative of the Papa.
uthority. OF course all Roman Cath
lies in the United States rejoice over
ne fact.
Fortunately for Christendom and for
utilization Leo XIII. is one of the
reat Popes, a large-hearted, broad
linded man, animated by the widest
ympathies with the best spirit of mod
rn national and social progress. He
as also shown by his dealings with
le Catholics of both the French and
,e Aerican republics that he would
lcite in his followers true sentiments
patriotism. Pope Leo XIII. is a
reat statesmen, profound scholar. a
ise and liberal man.-Philddelpb
inaes.
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