The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-05-29

Marriages interesting correspondence
on the subJpct Variance OF Opinion.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, May es.-At a special
session Of the Chicago Methodist min
ist.rs' meeting to-day, the committee
on religious liberty for Protestants in
South America consisting OF Rows.
john Lee, Al. ri. Pariihurst and w II.
Holmes. presented the following re-
port which was rad by Ar, Lve, the
chairman of the committee;
Miss FraRc!s Il. M!lmsd. In n letter
to the committee, after observing, 1.-THE
time Is too late for any nation to dis
crluinute ngnlnst any sect In Its mar
riage laws" said: III were trying to
accomplish what you are should con.
suit With Bishop Keaue, president OF
the Catholic University Mt washing
ton. Acting In accordance with this
suggestion, letter was addressed to
Bishop Kelne, which ELECTED the fol-
lowing reply:
''The Catholic University OF America,
Washington, March 6. 1886.
MIR. Joisa Lee, 81 Washington street,
Chicago Ill.
Dear sIr:-Your letter Of February Is,
came here while 1 was absent in New
Orleans. take the earliest opportunity
after my return.
/. i never heard before that I'm the
republics OF Peru. Ecuador, and Boil
via Protestant citizens are unable to
be legally married, unless they noan-
don their religious convictions, and be-
come Roman Catholics NOC do I now
believe that such can possibly be the
law In those countries, or In any other
country. You close your letter by say
Ing that This matter closely concerns
the interests Of Prctsstnnts in all Ro-
man Catholic countries Now / know
for certain that such Is not the condi-
ton OF the laws in all Roman Catholic
countries. II is not such in France.
Italy, Austria or In Belgium, and l
must repeat do not believe It such in
any country in South America.
.. In certain Catholic countries n law
has existed requiring that the marriage
ceremony should take place before a
Catholic priest. You ARE doubtless
aware that in many Protestant coun-
tries precisely similar laws have eX-
listed. and as far as know still exist,
requiring the marriage of Catholics, In
order that they may be legal, to take
place before Protestant ministers. Mod
eFn tendencies are fast removing such
laws wherever they exist, and see no
reason to regret their disappearance.
3. There must surely b. 4 mistake in
your statement that 1t required COR
respondence OF fifteen months TO get 4
communication from the vatican. on
the printed slip which you enclose for
me-. Cardinal GlbbaRs' letter Is dated
June Il, 1895. He says that your letter
was Of May 20 C20th ulLD, and In his
iptter Of June "a, he Il able TO send you
the reply OF the cardinal secretary OF
state. Thus. instead OF fifteen months,
the whole thing was done In less than
one month. Your statement seems to
be a serious injustice put upon both
Cardinal Gibbons and the vatican.
l. The statement put forth by the
Methodist ministers OF Chicago, we
have reason to believe that the iniiu-
ence Of the pontin OF the Roman Cath
Ollie church would be Immediately de-
cisive II heartily exercised, through the
clergy Of the countries above named.
In favor OF legislation establishing
such religious freedom as Is so warmly
approved bv their colleagues in this
republic seems 10 betuy a very in
adequate acquaintance with the condi-
ton OF civil matters in so-called Cath
ole countries II Is q matter OF public
nOtoriety that the pope has no such
civil influence in Italy, France or
spain. and It Is equally we'll known
that in Mexico and some OF the South
American countries n priest dare not
appear upon the streets inClerical cos
tune, nor even a Sister OF Charity in
her habit. Antl-reliEious influences
hold domination in these countries for
the time being, and 1t requires great
simplicity indeed, or great ignorance
OF existing conditions. to attribute such
Influence to the wishes OF the pope.
Finally. Cardinal RampollR having
promised that all possible Information
would be obtained as to the true cons
ditionB OF things in those countries, l
am certain that II It Ia discovered that
II the condition nj things there Is what
you hnye described. the influence Of the
vatican will be Instantly used for its
correction. Very truly yours,
JOHN ]. KEANE, Rector"
The Statement.
!. Bishop Keane never heard before
that in the republics OF Peru, Ecuador,
and Bolivia Protestant citizens are I'M
able to be legally married unless they
abandon their religious convictions
and become Roman Catholics" sim
more. he does not NOV believe that
Huch can possibly DC IhI ia" !" tuO9v
countries, or In any other country
and he declares, II must repeat do not
believe It is such In any country in
south America Over against this we
have the statement Of the apostolic del
egate for the republics Of Peru, Bolivia
and Ecuador TINT in reference to tho
determination OF marriages tho con-
RtitutIon OF Peru recognizes no other
form as valid than that prescribed by
the council Of Trent" and that the
same condition OF things relative to
marriage exists In Bolivia and Ecua-
dor That is to say all citizens OF these
republics in order ITO be legally mar
ried," must either be Roman Catholics,
or II they arc nom ROmanists they must
abandon their religious conSlctlons