The herald., 1895-10-18
Which the Pope Believes Cath
OliCs Should Avoid
AN ARCHBISHOP'S VIEWS
Religious Congresses Are by No Means
Condemned
1t is Deemed Best That Catholics Hold Meet
ings Apart From Buddhists, Mo-
hammedans ard Nome lthoIics


associated PRESS special wire.
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 17.-Archbi-hor
hatzer has received a copy of the letter
OF Pope Leo, sent to Mgr. Satolli, bearing
on religious congressei. From Its tone
it would seem evident that in future
Catholics will not meet with Protestant
bodies, but conduct conventions separ-
ately, though open to all, with the priv.
ilego of allowing mem ber5 of other de-
nominations TO ask any questions they
see fit. No reference is made TO the
worlds religious congress in particular
neither is the re a single word which can
be termed derosatory to the great con-
yention. The document is typewriter
in Latin and addressed to Mgr. Satolli
1t simply states that the knowledge tha t
such conventions are being held has come
to the attention OF the pope, and he ex-
presses the conviction that it would be
better perhaps for Catholics to meet sep
arately.
ST. PAUL. Minn. Oct. 17.-Aroh bishop
Ireland, IN au interview with anAssociated
Press reporter, said:
1.-The words of Pope Leo are in no
manner of means condemnation OF par .
liaments of religion. He merely prescri bes
the methods OF conditions under which
Catholics may take part in them. III e
deems inadvisable the promiscuous as
sembing OF Catholics with men of all
forms OF religions, Buddhists and Mo
hammedans and non Catholics, upon the
same platform for the discussion of re-
hgious questions. The pope, no doubt,
somewhat fears, as many others did and
do, that from such promisouous gather
ings the impressions go out into the
public mind that all forms of religion are
looked upon as of equal value and equal
sufficiency. The Catholics who partlci-
pated in the Chicago parliament Of relig-
ions were not without their misgivIngs as
to the peril of impressions of this kind.
But circumstances did not suggest nor
allow other arrangements than promis-
cuous assemblages and in view of the
general good expected from thsir partici-
patton in the congress. Catholics did not
keep themselves aIoof, satisfyin: their
cunsciences that all things would be
made right by their emphatio and re-
ppated declarations that the principles of
tile Catholic faitl remained intact and
nothing done or said should be taken as
the Catholic But now, when congresses
or parliaments of religions are becoming
FREQUENT and seem destined to be rer
manent institutions, it is felt that such
care ought TO be taken by Catholics that
not even the most delicate and scrupu-
lous conscience among the children of
the church be alarmed or that the most
unthinking non Catholic be led to mis-
apprehend the Catholic position. Hence
the words of warning coming from the
sovereign pontiff.
The pope's words are: 1t would seem
more advisable that Catholics hold taeir
own meetings apart; but in order that
the usefulness thereof be not confined to
Catholics access is to be given everybody
whether he be Catholic o, one separated
from the Catholic faith.
Congresses of religions will have to be
held and Cath6,'cs may take part in
them under Certa.a well defined condi-
tions. Catholics will hold their meetings
during the same period of time and on
the same grounds as the representatives
of other faiths of religious, but in halls
of their own, marking in this way their
own doctrinal exclusiveness, and yet al
lowing to others the advantage of hear
ing their decisions. All the results that
were ever expected from congresses OF re-
ligons remain. such as not allowing of
comparative studies of the several faiths
the exhibiting to the world Of the funda-