The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-01
THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION.
CATHOLICISM AND sAToLLICTsaL

CATHOLICISM AND sATOLLICTsM.
r.. -oIution Now Goiue Forward In Cow
..r,,r the Catholic Church In America
s,outd rs Thoroughly Understood.
rbs generally calm acquiescence OF Catho-
ia. in the spiritual government. in regard to
xbieh they usually have little or nothing to
,ov and the extent and rigorous hrmness
,,,rh which that government is upheld among
os Is considered by many to be remarkable
.,,pma under democratic Institutions. The
-oosons for this domination are to BIO found In
Tho necessity for organization in every form OF
uorship to assert and preserve Its essential
nr;rciples: and in the fact that the con-
tro, hns had as It's basis the passive
.onsent Of thu governed. who do not
care to be troubled in suoh matters II
.rouble can be avoided. Freedom from In
.sr,srence with our political institutions and
,.mporal affairs. thus avoiding irritating frlc-
tIon has boon another potent influence In tho
ouiet growth among American Catholics OF
ecclesiastical potentiality.
The power with which the Catholic Church
bas been ruled in this country from the throne
OF the Pope In Rome claiming to govern by
divine succession. the marvellous progressive
development OF the Church in every State OF
the Union. the great and increasing number
Of it's worshippers. and the enormous magni-
tude OF the interests bound up in this branch
of the Papal dominion. present considerations
Of deep import The rule OF the Pope too.
forms remarkable contrast to the adversely
And disrepute into which temporal sovereign
Hes arc falling, whose ruling by divine right
IA losing its hold through dangerous question
ing. while the Independent subject Is stalking
with such menaoing disrespect on the very
heels of the sovereign. The struggle In
Germany, where success in great measure
deemed essential to tho preservation OF the
empire has been carried only after exhaust
ing every resource Of power. by o majority so
mesgre az to be ne1t door to defeat. 10 an In
structive illustration.
The prosperity Of the Church Of Rome in
sts exterior affairs has been due. in q large
extent, to the exalted wisdom with which its
government has been administered through
the Sacred College and Council Of the Propa-
eanda. composed Of the ablest Cardinals. ap-
pointed for the direction Of the missions Of
the Catholic Church. The Propaganda 10 ono
Of the most conservative institutions Of the
Church. and has existed for over three hun
dred years. From tho time Of the first es-
tablishment OF Catholic colony on this side
of the Atlantic, under Lord Baltimore. down
20 the recent new departure under Mgr.
satolli. tho Council Of the Propaganda has
exercised appellate and supreme admins
trative authority upon all questions relating
70 ecclesiastical government In this as we'll as
IN other foreign countries. The delibera-
tons Of this body. when formulated in DEGREES
Secretary. have been declared to have the
force Of Apostolic Constitutions which must
be inviolably observed. The Cardinal Pre-
feet Is the presiding representative head
of the college. and promulgates its de-
erees In that capacity. He is assisted by SUBJ
alterns who are the heads Of departments
sppertaining to exterior affairs All questions
arc deliberately examined In the light OF ex-
perience. with cautious care. and settled
within the Church. The outside world. hith-
erto. has known nothing that could be con-
osaled 40 to questions, differences, and trials
In the administration Of Papal authority in
the United States or elsewhere. Under this
guidance. so judieiously conceived and 30
ably and successfully exercised. tho Catho-
Nc Church OF the United States was estab-
ushed in its humble origin. and has been
nurtured and aGgrandized to its present
Bsmarkable dimensions.
In 1908 the Propaganda had established the
gees Of New York. PHILADELPHIA Boston. and
Baltimore. the last-named being made tho
metropolitan diocese: and every step OF prog
ress here since has been made under the
direction Of those seea The results of
the administration OF tho Propaganda
By statistics. There are in tho United
States nearly nine million Catholics. including
nearly ten thousand priests: there are eight
thousand i've hundred churches. three thou
sand i've hundred stations. eighteen hundred
chapels, thirty-six semiuarlss. one hundred
and twenty-seven colleges, six hundred and
fifty academies. three thousand six hundred
parochial schools supported by Catholic con-
tributions attended by about eight hundred
thousand children: two hundred and fifty
asyiums. caring for an average Of nearly
thirty thousand orphans: and four hundred
and sixty-three other charitable institutions.
When the property connected with these
churches and institutions is taken into
consideration. In addition to all the other
multitudinous concerns appertaining to
them. an idea. however inadequate. may
be obtained Of the extent of the interests,
spiritual and executive. demanding general
administration, and OF the incalcuabe num-
ber OF the Issues. incidents. and questions in
volvod In the primary direction. II grandeur