The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-01
LEO AND FREE SCHOOLS.
The Great Question Which the Vati-
can Has to Deal With at
Present.
An Encyolical Shortly to Be Ad-
dressed to Prelates in
America.
Thorough Americanization of Catholic
Children to he Emphasizea-Chnrch
Membership and Citizenship,

New YORK. Jan. 3l.-A Roman Catholic
clergyman, who has had an official connec-
ton with the school question, consented.
on passing through this city a few days ago.
10 give his opinions on the recent develop
meuts of the controversy. The ecclesiastlc
in question has been brought into such
CLOSE relations with Archbishop ireland and
a number of other dignitaries OF rank in
his church that he was able to speak with
assurance on the matter. lie explained
that, while his views we're no secret. he did
not desire. just at this time. TO have MS
name associated with a public statement.
The reason WAS a simple one. The pope Is
known to be preparing an enoyciical to De
addressed to the prelates OF the ehurch III
America. Its object will be to explain the
position of his holiness on the whole ques-
ticn of education. 1t will have for iss OBJ"
iect the promotion of harmony. and will
Law down certain rules of conduct which
the archbisheps and bishops in this country
will be required to adhere to. Under such
circumstance any forecasts. however GER
tain. appearing in association with the
name of a particular ecclesiastic would be
a breach of etiquette OF q very serious ma
ture.
The churchmau in question was able to
speak with all assurance from the fact that
hs has been a close observer in Europe of
the development Of the church's policy
there during the past few years of the pres
emit pope's reign.
When asked if 1t we're true that an ency-
clical was in course of preparation the
a--,,, -, onpukiop eniH tnaS flprs was
no doubt that such a document would very
soon be communicated to the church here.
It is rendered necessary for several reasons,
the principal being the desire OF his holl-
nas. ia Law down with c!earness the extent
of authority to be exercised by Mgr. satolA
in reference to the church in America. at
the same time laying down certain primer
ples Tor the guidance of all faithful mem
has Of the church throughout the world.
The school question is understood both
here and IN Europe to be the biggest one
the church has to deal with. Inc changes
in poliev which has ma ked the admlnlstra-
tion of the present incumbent Of the holy
sac have arisen in connection with that
problem. Ihe pope has indicated a clear
line OF policy with reference to foreign gov
@ nments, and the coming enoychcaI Will
place it in a categorical IRab pelore tAe
people of this country,
His holiness wishes to do away with the
old notion. which has 80 often been urged
as an excuse for opposition to the Cathoilc
church, that its policy 10 to constitute An
1mperiuln in imperio wherever 1t has power.
With reference to this country 1T Will be
laid down clearly and Enthusiastically that
the Catholic church is interested in empha-
sizing the fact OF the thorough American
cation of the Catholic children.
His holiness sees serious danger which
might arise If the present state OF affairs
uara cppfiDnpi. A great mSDy CatlOllea
send their children to the public schools
now. Others refuse to do so, thinking that
there is some objection founded on religious
reasons. The POPE is convinced that the
Catholics whose child en- frequent the
strictly Catholic schools are interested in
breaking down the fences which shut ont
the sy mpathy of the rest OF the community
from them. As these are mostly children
of foreigners it Is important to open these
schools to public inspection, and 10 i'm press
upon the people of the United states that
the love of country is part of the training
which the church imparts to those whom it
has in cha ge.
Having once become convinced that the
head of the church Is in thorough sympa-
thy with distinotiyely national aspirations,
and is in no fear that they will clash v'th
religious professions, IL ia easy 30 see that
Catholics whose children frequent the
public schools would gladly show sympa~
thy with the pope's declarations in favor of
tho y qua ulHil5l4p Oh SCilOOlb
which have up to now been III exclusively
Catholic hands.
The pope sees no reason why Catholic
schools could not be placed under boards of
education, with all the monetary questions
under their control. Vested rights would
lie respected. AS to all future teachers
there would be no objection, but rather q
decided advantage in having them made
subject to examination. Ihe church Is in
terested ia having the schools which
it's children attend made as efficient
as possible. The advantage would bs
as great for boards OF education
AS for the church and the churct
schools, and it is considered that there
would be no difficulty IL bringing abou'
snch an understanding as would make per
feet harmony a thing easy OF accomplish
meuL. The cEurcl's main IDEA III the whole
matter Is b. bringing III contact public
authority and those III whom 1t is moss in
teteated TO give to the COMMUNITY at larR'
the feeling that the Catholics are not a for
tiGn colony, but persona as thoroughly IN
terested in tins country as they are In thei
religion. Tie ueAth of thu present pope
if such q ~lGiuentabIe event took place
could cause 10 change in us policy III thi
matter.
The rropaQandH il known to he hs despl
convinced of the lasting wisdom of this al
tituds toward tie nations OF the world Il
lie ia. M0nsiGnog Persico, tor instance,
known to be thoroughly posted on TIL
question. He Is one OF the best known IN
most successful of the ~dip!omatists of III
church. uud his mission 10 Ireland, Wit
the exception OF that of 4iousiGnor Satol
To the Unitei states, WAS tho most III
lOrtRnt OF many years.
1t is significant ia connection with tht
Irish mission that the archbishop
Armagh should have received q red hat M
not Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin, who's
name was mentioned prominently IN refel
euce 10 promotion. MonsiRnor Satoil
Cn-aiuni Pers!co and Others prominent
foreign affairs Of the church. aIe Known
ls Us one in reference to tie absurdlty
nny opposition between membership of tt
2huroA and citizenship Of tine most ptt
nounctd sort.
Russell /: and Blaine.
Marcos, Ind, Jan. 3L.-The attention {
Russe,i Har son WAS called to-day to I'll
report that his conduct wss the cause {