The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-09
WHAT THE DUCEY DEFIANCE MEANS.

In addition to the inside doorkeepers, is
preposterous.
WHAT THE DUCEY DEFIANCE MEANS.
Father Tom Ducey, Of New York, is
attracting much attention by his open
defiance Of his superior in church gov
eminent, Archbishop Corrigan. The
Archbishop does not approve of the
Lexow investigation, which has laid
bare the iniquities Of Tammany, because
the Archbishop is evidently in sympathy
with the Tammany leaders, so many Of
whom are members of his church and
liberal contributors to its revenues.
Father Ducey does not look upon Tam
many through the Corrigan medium, but
regards 1t as a great iniquity. Natural
ly he is interested in the Lexow investi-
cation, and frequently attends the ses-
sions Of the committee. This fact has
come to the notice of the Archbishop.
and the priests ecclesiastical superior
has ordered hin to cease attending the
Lexow hearings. The priest, who is well
along in years, openly refuses to obey
this mandate. on the ground that the
Los AO dQtilOIlly 10 issue IL.
In his replies to the Archbishop, Father
Ducey has been making some very Sc
we're reflections upon the policy of the
Archbishop in New York. He has said
that 1t was d great mistake for the
Catholic hierarchy in New York to have
lett the fighting Of Tammany and Tam
many's wickedness to a Protestant
clergyman, and otherwise he has criti-
cised the policy of his superior. But the
most damaging result of the course pur-
sued by Father Ducey is that he has
practically caused Archbishop Corrigan,
by his order to him to cease attending
the sessions of the Lexow committee, to
place himself, as the leading representa-
tive OF the Church of Rome, on the side
Of Tammany.
OF course, Father Ducey will be disci-
Briggs, of Union Theological Seminary.
AS viewed by the outsider, the real
cause OF the quarrel in both cases is
much the same-the penalty of freedom
of opinion and of adhering to personal
convictions. In the Catholic Church,
however, the evolt of Father Ducey
mean much more than the disobedience
of a priest. Father Ducey has had pre-
decessors in the role of Jisobedience, be-
cause there is an increasing number of
priests imbued with the American in
stinct and a spirit of liberalism which
is at war with that dogmatism which
makes the superior a dictator not only
regarding matters of theology. but in
all temporal affairs. This dogmatism is
not often questioned in countries in
which there is more or less of abso-
lutism in their governments, but 1t is
foreign to the genius OF this country.
and the American priest is not disposed
to submit to UGH dictation. 1t is not
hat Father Tom as his people call
him, is seeking notoriety or is not a
devoted Catholic. since he is the most
jealous and self-denying of priests: but
his offense is hat he mas views regard
ing reforms and his duties as an Ameri-
can citizen which are not in accord with
those of his superiors in New York.
Nor is this independence in secular
affairs confined to Ducey. Father Ma
lone. of Brooklyn, is not in favor because
he permitted the New York Legislature
to elect him a regent of the State Uni
versity in opposition to Bishop Nc
QUAD, Archbishop Corrigan's candidate.
This defeated and angry foreign prelate
recently bore evidence to the coptro-
versy in the Catholic Church in this
country and of it's extent by assailing
Archbishop Ireland because he had writ
49, Iot<orr 80 -oo.,harc 80 <no No~x vz~1-
Legislature recommending Father Ma
lone when he knew hat Archbishop
Corrigan desired the election of Bishop
McQuaid. This contention is not one
for men as favorites. but for the ideas
which the men represent. Archbishop
Ireland was for Father Malone because
he is a progressive American prelate,
while Archbishop Corrigan stood for Nc
Quaid because he is the exponent of
anti-Americanism. If Archbishop Ire
land had been in New York he would
not have prohibited Father Ducey from
attending the Tammany exposures. He
is an American prelate. Archbishop
Corrigan Is not. The controversy be-
tween Ducey and his superior grows out
Of that conflict of views affecting the
independence of the priest as a citizen.
The New York Archbishop desires a
Church of Rome in America with all the
traditions which make priest and lay
man obedient, while the Archbishop of
Minnesota believes in a Catholic Church
in America which shall be in harmony
with the genius of American institu-
tons in all that pertains to civil affairs.
So far reaching a contention will be
watched with the deepest interest.
DuuESr 10