Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-11
MGR. SATOllrS ADVICE
His Letter to the Oolored Catholic Con-
vention in Baltimore
The Appeal 20 the Church Authorities
Relative to Alleged Race Di.crim-
inatton tn the Catholic Church.

A committee was sent yesterday by the
congress Of colorei Catholics and the con-
vention Of ST. Peter Claver's Catholic
Union. In session in Baltimore. 10 Phna-
delphia, TO lay before the meeting u Cath
Ollie archbishops in that city formal
statement of the complaints Ct the conVen-
ton regarding the drawing OF the color line
In Catholic churches and Institutions. At
the outset the appeal reads as follows:
The colored Catholics Of the United
States, In convention assembled. respect
fully invite your attention 10 the practice
OF discrimination on account OF color ex-
listing and practiced in some Catholic par
ishcs cf the country. which practice. II not
authorized, is known end tac;tly acqui-
escei in by the bishops and priests in
charge.
"Colorel children are not permitted to at
tend parochial schools; colored people are
not admitted 10 Catholic hospitals: colorei
girls are not admitted 20 converts. coiore1
people are forced 10 sit In the rear IN gall
leries or special places set aside an Catho-
lie churches.
I'VE. the children OF the church. are hap
py In the thought that where these dis
ordinations d. exist they are contrary 10
the great soul OF the church ana in con-
fiict with its principles and teachings. Hsv-
ing appealed to bishops anc priests 10 put
an end to them with no avail We now come
TO you"
1t is further stated that the Only cause for
the alleged discrimination Is an uneNpia.n-
cd and unexpiainable prejudice. rhe ex-
istence Of these cast distinctions. " IL
stated. is most harmful to the great work
of the church. The petitioners ask that
the authorities of the church take their
complaint into consideration. and I'm their
wisdom adopt such measures viii elimi-
nate from the church in America the prac-
tices they depicre.
MGR. sntoiIrs Letter.
A letter WAS read from Archbishop sa-
TOLL addressed to william $. Lotion, the
president of the convention. thanking him
for the invitation to participate in the pro-
ceeiings of the congress. In the course
of the letter Mgr. Satolli discusses the re-
latiqn of the Catholic church to the coll
cred race. He states that
From the beginning Of my residcrce IN
America L have shown on many occasions
my sympathy for the colored race. Be
cause OF the ligious and moral needs Of
this numerous family in the United States.
1 have been attracted TO them by a soutl-
ment of Christian charity, ana have never
ceased 10 desire that not only Catholics.
but all honest man, should co operate fOT
the improvement Of their condition.
Il cannot dis semble my conviction that
IL the civiliZing infiucnc - OF Catholics had
been exercised more widely ard zealoJsly
upon the colored race from the happy day
of their liberation from the yoke Of slav-
cry their condition would be better today
than IL is"
He adds that he is pleased TO know that
the United States government ever since
the emancipation Of the colored race from
slavery has labored to free ii from that
condition of lie which even i'm the state OF
freedom is n moral servitude more opposed
TO human dignity than slavery itself. lie
states that the history Of the past shows
v hat has been the thought and action OF
the Catholic church in regard 10 the slave
IA and Hae has nf
heart the abolition of the slave trade in
Africa, and the civilization OF the colored
race. He concludes that the cooperation
that the Catholic church can lend to the
action Of the government sor the civilization
OF the colored people must largely con-
tribute to the ultimate success of such ef-
forts.
An Educational Project.
The committee appointed to take into con-
s'deration the report of President Lotion
reported through Secretary McGhee advo-
eating the establishment of a university and
Industrial institute for colored youths. The
report stated that Father Stephan. head OF
the Indian educational bureau at Washing
ton, has at his disposal a tract Of 25o acres
of land near Washington, which may be
secured for the purposes Of an Industrial
school. The executive committee Of st.
Peter ClaVer's Union was introduced 10 try
TO secure the property and TO take steps for
the establishment OF the CcLooi, The con-
vention having pledged its support TO the
project.
Onicers OF the union for the reNt two
years were elected as follows: ". :. Lotion
Cf Washington, president; @. n. Wade Of
Baltimore. vice president: Frederick l.. Nc
Chez Of 81. Paul, Mimi, secretary:-J. \.
Spencer of South Carolina, treasurer; Rev.
Joseph 4. NJ. Shorter OF LeavenwoTth, Kan,
spiritual director, and Charles NJ. Butler OF
Washington, John I. Carter Of Baltimore.
r. y. Wood Of New York and A. J. Bell of
kentucky, board of directors.
Last evening the delegates ATTENDED an
entertainment at ST Francis Navier I.y-
oeum. and this evening a mass meeting "a N
be held.