The Helena independent., 1893-06-28
THE popk,s AnLEa ATE IN HELENA

THE POPE's ABLEGATE IN HELENA
Monsignor Francisco Satolli will be
welcomed in Helena as Catholic dig
nitary Of hardly less Importance than
Leo himself. IIe comes to us as the
first head of a permanent vice.papal
court at Washington and from his COM
mission wa learn that he has full author
ity to settle all questions in the American
branch of the Catholic church. This, Of
course, relates to policies and govern
ment and not to subjects OF faith, and
in this line there is no appeal from his
decisions.
1t may DO presumed that such n mis-
sion demands n man with extraordinary
equipment. He must possess ripe schol-
arship, unfailing Judgment, and an ex-
haustive knowledge of church affairs; he
must know tho arts OF diplomacy, and
be acquainted with tho social amenities
which adapt themselves to now condi-
tions; he must be eloquent IN speech
and firm in decision. This is truly
formidable array of requirements and
yet all are ascribed to the pope's able
gate. He is said to be as pleasing in
manner as he is strong in intellect and
during brief stay in this country he
has become popular within and without
the circles of tho Catholic church.
Three very important decisions
handed down by Satolli are taken as
evidence of wise and liberal policy IN
the con duct of Catholic affairs. The
first was the restoration of DIR. Mo-
Glynn to the priesthood. This was in
accord with tho desires of his old par
ishoners and met with the heartiest ap-
proval of those members of the Catho-
lie clergy who had suffered more or less
injustice from the rather inqusitorial
methods of the higher church autho-i-
ties. DR.. McGlynn returns 'purged Of
contempt" as the courts say, to do bet
ter work for the church and the dissen-
sions caused by his suspension are re-
moved.
Other decisions thoroughly in accord
with the true spirit of Americanism re-
late to parochial schools and that vicious
doctrine known as "Cahenslylsm." In
both matters Mgr. Satolli was quick and
firm in his action. He decides that par
ochial schools are not to be forced upon
Catholic parents. The parochial system
can exist only through voluntary sup
port. Members of the church are not
to be taxed against their wishes and re-
fusal to send their children to these
schools is not to be punished by excom-
munlcation. The double result of this
change is to disarm critics who have
claimed that the system was directly in
conflict with our public schools, and to
offer an incentive for making the paro-
chial schools broader and better.
"Cahenslyism," which was designed to
force foreign-bor Catholics to the use of
foreign languages in schools and
churches has been thoroughly stamped
out by the pope's representative. The
controversy which arose with Bishop
Wigger, of New Jersey, was quickly set
tled when Mgr Satolli decided that the
English language alone was to prevail as
the language of the Catholic church in
this country.
The delegate has thus carried out the
new papal policy of strengthening the
church in this country by keeping it in
thorough sympathy with American in
stitutions. The jealousies and criti-
clsms which followed his arrival have
worn away as the spirit of his mission
has become known, and he is welcomed
everywhere in accordance with his posi-
ton, his work and his worth. He
comes to Helena to-day on tour
through the country, with which he
seeks to become thoroughly acquainted.
A fine reception has been arranged, and
it is hoped will be largely attended by
citizens Of all creeds and ranks.