New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-22
CATHOLICISM RENOUNCED.
FATHER LAMBERT. A MISSIONARY PRIEST
LEAVES THE CHURCH OF ROME.
HE WAS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE RE-
DEMPTORIST ORDER-HIs LETTER OF REslG-
NATION EXPLAINS HIS REASON FOR

HE WAS PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE RE-
pEMpTORIsr oRDER-HIs LETTER OF REsIG
NATION EXPLAINS HIS REASON FOR
THE CHANGE.
Father \. Lambert who has been one of the
most active missionary priests of the Redemptorist
Order Of the Roman Catholic Church. has with
drawn from lis former connections and has an
nounccd his conversion to Professionalism. Father
Lambert was born in Belgium and was ordained to
the priesthood there He has for many years been
engaged In giving missions under the auspices
OF the Redcmptorsts The missionary priests are
selected from .npng the ablcst speakers and work
crs to do Kind Of evangelical work for the church
Engaged in This work Father Lambert has trav-
cllcl throughout the West Indies and in all parts
Of the r-nitci States and much Of Cdnada. II" has
been In this country FIVE years His last work has
been at the St James Pro-cathedral In BROOKLYN In
which he was engaged up to last Saturday. His
conversion IS the result OF long-continued medita-
lion. lie went last Saturday to Father O'Connor.
the converted Catholic priest. who has charge Of
Christ Mission, in Wcs' Twcnty-arst-st Father
O'Connor received him and he viii stay there for
the present. His plans for the futGrc are not yet
made. Father OConnor gave the following letter
to a Tribune reporter last night It has been for
wardcI the Superior General OF the Iedoniptorist
order at Rome. Il reads follows:
Very Rev. Father Rau'. 6. : r.:
Reverend Sir. deem it my duty to inform You
that from to-day. 10y canDnlch standing being
perfectly regular and unlu'StiJn"t, a. you wei
know. Troy ana H'du'rdt'!y wlthdraw from IN"
priesthood and communion of tn" Roman Catholic
Church. Th' decision | now take Is the outcome
oi q long mental siruggl" ana inuch thought IL
s not without sorrow nave taken this step, for IL
S hard ip scVrr inc relations 81 tWenty-Onc years
Bat could not forcV resist the voice OF my con
sclrnc" | mad ID obey II at last and the logical
consequence = THAI obedience is the step now
take Knowing what | know, having seen what
| saw and hcarl what heard in the Roman CLtho-
IT, Church. cannot any longer force my mind
into submission 10 the Vatican, nor can any
longer admit the claim 81 the Roman catholic
u
questions but also In purely scientific. social ana
"ycn political matters.
The Intolerance and duplicy which. almost from
the day OF M ordination 70 the priesthood. FOUND
and mot IN III" Roman Catholic chuish have be-
come utterly unbeatable 10 me. Having also come
10 tn" conc fusion that there H. only High Priest
for sin not TO be repeated. and In consequence
doubling my powers and faculties priest. |
could not act otherwise than | do here and now.
Had ! remained any longer in the Roman Catholic
Church after coming TO this decision | would have
DECEASED my manhood. and that could not do and
with Gods help never shall do.
Though leaving the church Of Rome and re-
nouncng tho priesthood do not forget and never
Will forget 10 cherish tho memory OF the many good
and dear friends whom must leave to travel their
own path. We are separate. shall not interfere
with them. and hOI" they VIII not interfere with
mo. What shall do is my own personal affair.
We live In free country.
Meanwhile CIV" thanks 10 God that Christian
hands have l.c extended % me welcome. and
that Christian influences have been east around
to help me in the way OF the Lord.
Some may now cOudemn me. but | intriist
cause 10 III" Almighty and To his SON. Jesus Christ.
] know now clearly mat those who believe in
Christ shall be saved ! believe In Him ! resign
myself unto His loving care and feel sure H.
VIII not forsake me-.
Wissel the head Of tn IIonse OF the IcGemp;orist
Fathers. at Saratoga Springs.