New-York tribune., 1896-05-30
SUIT TO EVICT A PRIEST.
TROUBLES OF THE GREEK CHJRCH IN
JERSEY CITY AIRED IN COURT.


ONE FACTION CONTENDS THAT THE CHURCH
OWES ALLEGIANCE TO THE POPE. THE
OTHER TO THE CAR OF RUssiA-THE
COURT SUGGESTS A COMPROMISE.
The troubles in the Greek Church OF ST. Peter
and st. Paul, in Jersey City. were aired in the
Chancery Court at Newark before Vice-Chan-
oolor Pitney yesterday. Application was made
for d rule to show cause why the parties now in
possession Of the church should not vacate and
give possession to the petitioners.
The case turns upon the ecclesiastical status
Of the Greek Catholic Church. The parties now
in possession contend that the Greek Catholic
Church owes allegiance to the Pope, while the
petitioners declare that the head of the Greek
Catholic Church is the Car of Russia, or. IN
ecclesiastical matters the Bishop Of Lembeck,
austria.
The application made in the of
Pauus StupinsN and others, members Of the
congregation. against Gregory Hrushka, the
priest, and others. and sets forth that the church
was organized in 1890, and is not subservtent TO
any ecclesiastical authority jurisdiction in the
United States The church with which it afiil-
iates the application declares, Is the Greek
Catholic Church. a lot was purchased and
church built but the society never incor-
porateG. The temporal management was vested
in Board of Trustees and committee was
elected by the congregation. The first pastor
Gregory Hrushka who was dismissed last
February by the trustees and Congregational
Committee because he had been indicted for
making contra band cigars, and John Ardan was
nade pastor in his place Father Ardan served
for three Sundays. and on the Fourth sunday the
congregation found Father 1rushka anu ms
friends in possession Of the church guarded by
policemen.
Father Hrushka's friends contended in court
that his dismissal In the first place was illegal
only Bishop WiSger of the Roman Cathohc no
cese having the power OF dismissal They deny
that the Greek Catholic Church does not summit
to the authority of the Pope. Father HrushKa
and his friends declare that the Greek and Roman
Catholic churches were united AT the Councll Oh
Florence in 1880 that a mission OF the Greek rte
started in Jersey City by Father Woiauski'
who afterWard sold the property OF the mission
TO Father Hrushka upon condition that the
church should be continued under the Greek rte
1t is further contended that in 1888 the church
authorities compelled the Greek priests In this
country to submit to the Latin bishops and that
Father IIrushks submitted TO Bishop Wigger
These contentious on the part OF the defendants
were supported in court yesterday by afldavits
from Cardinal Satolli Cardinal Gibbons and
Bishop Wigger. After listening TO the arguments
the Vice Chancellor said the case was too I'M
portant TO be decided upon eX parte aidavits. but
should be tried in open court upon fnal hearing
II have thought of a compromise pendHnte me-
said the Vice Chancellor, IF counsel on boh sides
are willing TO fall In with 1t. propose that each
party use the church. one in the morning and the
other IN the afternoon and alternating the order
each successive Sunday Let each party collect
all the money II can. and this will show which is
the stronger. Then set the case down lor I'M
mediate trial
James j. Furey, OF Jersey City. representing
Father HrlEhka said that his parties would want
to hold service before II o'clock, and the wee
Chancellor said that II both parties wanted 10
hold service in the morning they could so arrange
it. In regard 10 the question of the custody or
the church. the Nice-Chancellor said that II the
parties could not agree upon this point he would
appoint a receiver to that the execution OF the
order should be properly carried out