Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-19

ted for the poor as well as the rich. We
welcome the poor, l think, more than do
other churches and there is no difference in
the treatment OF them In the church. They
kneel at the same confessional, and, as far
as possible, they are on the same footing in
the church. l do not mean to say that there
is not much good in the Protestant religion,
but l think that nearly every other church
is lacking In some particular. The Catholic
church is complete. 1t has the good ele-
ments Of all others, and is lacking in moth
iEg. These are some of the reasons of its
permanency and constant growth"
Upon my saying that there were some differ
ences even among Catholics as to their
belief, the cardinal went on:
Il do not know that there should not be
differences of belief as to religious matters.
or course, the main principles Of Chris
tianity are the same, but as long as men
have different minds there will be different
theories as to the details, as to the lines of
policy In the management Of churches and
as to interpretations Of certain parts of the
Scripture"
ARE CATHOLIC PRIESTS HYPOCRITEs?
The conversation here turned to the great
strides lately made by the Catholic church
In America, and as to the earnest work done
by the priests, whereupon / asked:
Your eminence, there is one question /
would like to put to you-not for informal
ton. for / think on that ground the question
would be 9th a foolish and insulting one
but on the ground that many illiberal Protes-
tants believe otherwise. The question is:
Are well educated Catholics honest? Are
your priests honest In their acceptance of
all the truths of your church? DO you
people believe what you preach?"
I'm other words" replied Cardinal Glib
bons, you want me to answer the question
as to whether Catholic priests are not as a
rule hypocrites. The question is, as you say,
a silly one. Look at it! What is there in
the life OF a priest to make 1t the choice of a
hypocrite? The man who would devote him
self to 1t has to give up the most of the
things which the world holds dear. I will
not mention all Of them. but l will take only
one. For instance, that of personal chastity.
Tho priest can never marry. When he de-
c!des to enter the ministry he must give up
the hope of wife, children and home, and
must devote himself, soul and body. to the
church. This. in many cases, would prevent
men from becoming priests. The life OF the
priesthood Is not an easy one. 1t Is one of
hardship and subordination. The priest is
subject to be sent at the will of his SUI
periors, anywhere, at any time. He may
be ordered to the widest countries Of the
world, and he must go. His whole life is
given up to the serving of his people, and 1t
is his duty to visit the pest houses and to
minister to the sick there. even at the risk
Of his life"
A STORY OF CARDINAL GIBBONS.
AS Cardinal Gibbons said this my mind
Ntit ooSh WV hS iaiCtI aIu 4 TtIUtll gu
an incident In (which shows that he be-
lieves what he says land that In the past
he han had the courage of his convicti,ns.
1t was long before he had any hope Of being
q cardinal. 1t was when he was a humble
priest in a small. country parish near Balti-
more. Smallpox had broken out in his
village and ali of his parishioners who were
able had fled from the town. One poor old
negro who had the disease lay at the point
Of death. He had been deserted by his
friends and family, who had left him Eeither
food nor medicine. The young priest
heard Of the case, and Fastening to the
dying negroes side he remained with him
until the last. Then the question came as
to his burial. There was no one who would
raise a hand at the risk Of his life to aid in
carrying the c,rpse to the grave. Father
Gibbons was left alone with the dead. 1t
did not take him long to make up his mind.
He determined to be undertaken as well as
minister. and SO having obtained a coffin he
placed the body in II and in some way or
other dragged II TO the grave. He nut Il
In the ground. performed the last rites Of
the church over 1t and buried 1t, and then
went on with his work among the sick.
WORK OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS.
Al l thought OF this l realized that this
mans ideal Of a Christian life was higher