Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-27
CANNOT INTERFERE.
The PnpRl Position Regarding Pro-
tesIants in south Americn.

CHICAGO, April 21.-At the Chicago
Methodist ministers meeting today Rev.
John Lee, chairman of the committee on
religious liberty for Protestants in South
America. presented an exhaustive report on
the efforts of the committee to have the
disabilities of Protestants removed.
The Chicago Methodist ministers meeting,
April ,, 1894, appointed committee to in
vite the pope's attention to the fact that
our Protestant brethren in the republics of
Peru Ecuador and Bolivia labor under op-
pressive disabilities that affect not only the
profession of their faith and the public
worship of God according to the dictate Of
their conscience. but also their civil and
iralienable right to be legally married with
out being compelled to forswear their re-
ligious convictions, ind to respectfully and
earnestly request him to secure for these
Protestants the same liberty of conscience
that is enjoyed by Roman Catholic citizens
Of this country.
The report details the delay in receiving
replies to the letters addressed to Cardinal
Gibbons and the pope. Finally, March 3,
letter was received from Cardinal Glib
bons' secretary. inclosing the following let
ter from Cardinal Rampolla, papal secre-
tary of state:
ROME, November 80, 1898.
To Cardinal Gibbons Archbishop of Bal
timore.
Most Reverend and Eminent Sir: In con-
sequence Of previous interviews held with
your eminence. l wrote. of which fact you
were informed on the 18th of June. 1895, to
the apostolic delegate for the republics of
Peru Bolivia and Ecuador to obtain precise
information as to the legal status of Prot
estants there, regarding the free exercise
of religious worship and the celebration of
marriages.
The pontifical representative of the holy
see promptly complied with my request,
ard now l am in position to state that
the ProteStants in Peru. far from being
| restricted in the free exercise of their
worship, are rather accorded larger de-
gree of toler ltion than is compatible with
the strict construction of the political con-
stitution of these countries. This is evil
denced by the fact that in Peru, especially
In the cities of Lima and Callao, there are
several Anglican and Methodist chapels,
where weekly conferences are held. AS to
the solemniZation of marriages. the dele
gate Informs me that, while the constitu-
ton of Peru recognizes no other form las
valiD than that prescribed by the council
of Trent Professionals do. as a matter of
fact, wed with religious ceremony in the
presence of their ministers, and civilly be-
fore the consulS and ambassadors of their
respective countries.
The same condition of things relative to
marriage exists in Bolivia and Ecuador,
where the exercise of religious worship
is regulated by special constitutional enact
ments, with which, however the holy see
cannot interfere
Having, In due time, received from your
emine1ce the representations of the Rev.
John Lee, deem it opportune to commune
cate to you the results of my inquiries, SO
that You may, according to your judgment
transmit them to the reverend gentlemen
l am pleased to renew the sense of pro-
found reverence, humbly kissing your hand
ard 1 honor myself in reaifirming myself
your emineIces most humbled devoted and
NJ CARDINAL pA,,po11