The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-18

The ArchbishOp's View Of the Pope's
Religious Congress Edict.

ST. PAUL. Mimi. Oct. II-Archbishop
Ireland, in an interview today, said: THE
words of Pope Leo are in no manner of
means a condemnation OF p~arliamcnts OF
religions. He merely prescribes the methods
or conditions under which Catholics may
take part in them. He deems unadvisable
the promiscuous assembling OF Catholics
with men of all forms of religion, Budd-
hists and Mohammedans as well an nom
Catholic Christians. upon the same platform
for the discussion of religious questions.
The Pope no doubt somewhat fears, as
many others did and do. that from such
promiscuous gatherings the Impressions go
out into the public mind that all forms of
religion are looked on as of equal value and
equal sufficiency. The Catholics who par
ticipated I'm the Chicago parliament of re-
ligions were not without their misgivings
as to the peril of impressions of his kind.
But circumstances did not suggest nor al
low other arrangements than promiscuous
assemblages. and in view Of the general
good expected from their participation in
the congress, Catholics did not keep them
selves aloof, satisfying their consciences
their emphatic and repeated deciarations
that the principles OF the Catholic faith re-
manned intact, and nothing done or said
should be taken as placing religions on the
same footing as the Catholic. But now,
when congresses or parliaments OF religion
are becoming frequent, and seem destined to
be permanent institutions, 1t is felt that
such care ought to be taken by Catholics
that not even the most delicate and scrup-
ulous conscience among the children of the
church be alarmed or that the most I'M
thinking non-Catholfc be ed TO misappre-
bend the Catholic position. Hence the
words of warning coming from the sover-
eign pontiff. The Pope's words are: 1t
hold their own meetings apart, but In order
that the usefulness thereof be not confined
to Catholics. access is to be given TO every
body. whether ne be a Catholic or one sep
arated from the Catholic faith,
Congresses OF religion will continue TO
be held and Catholics may take part in
Gsthoiies viii hold their neeeinxs uda urinx
the same period OF time and on the same
grounds as the representatives OF other
owns oWu. markinR IN this way ,beir own W , desr
trinal exclusiveness and vet allowing TO
others the advantages of hearing their dis
pected from congresses of religions remain.
such as the allowing of comparative stud
les OF the several faiths. the exhibiting to
the world of the fundamental truths scat
tered through all OF them. and the good
POINTS OF each one. although in so many
OF them those points be fragmentary and
Incomplete. And. at the same time. no
complaint or will have reason for beirg 40
sent from the congress. The Catholic at
tendance at congresses will in this manner
be larger than IL otherwise would have
been. Whenever the religions of the world
appear In state and voice their beliefs. the
Catholic Church owes 1t to herself TO APP
pear and to speak. SO as to give public
testimony TO The completeness of truth
which she processes TO hold, and to tell the
nations that she lives and il destined TO live
| through ages
Much agitation is at the present time
being mad In Europe over the proposition
to hold a great congress OF religions ir
Paris during the exposition of 1900. The
idea of a Paris congress Of religions has
sprung from the great congress at Chi
cago OF two years ago. II received much i'm
inspiring and directing spirit OF the congress
of Chicago during his recent visit 10 Francs
and II will no doubt lead TO q great sue
Indeed. the Pope's letter has cleared th'
way for Il By marking out the condition
under which Il may be held even Ia pune