Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-20
POLISH CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Another Sect Broken on from the Church
of Rome.

Chicago, Dec. 20.--The Times-Herald
says:
Polish Catholic seceders from the
Roman church who have organized the
independent Polish Catholic Church of
america with three parishes located
IN Chicago, received Bishop Anthony
kozlowski, leader of the revolt. as the
spiritual head of the church In Amer
lea, Sunday, with impressive rites The
new prelate had lust returned from
Europe, where he went by appointment
of his people to receive ordination as
bishop. As he could not secure rec
ognition from the holy see and was
conscrated by bishop of the Catholic
Christian church of Switzerland. there
was said to be DOUBT as to the welcome
awaiting him. This proved to be I'M
founded. The priests old parish re-
ceived him back with open arms and
great enthusiasm at his course of ac-
ton. by this act a new sect is formal
ly established in America, which oc-
cupies the anamolous position recogniZ-
ing the Roman pontiff as primate OF
the occident, of subscribing to the Ro-
man Catholic faith as claimed TO be
based on the foundation of the apos-
ties, the scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments, the traditions of the
fathers, the Athanaslan creed and the
council of Trent, except such DEGREES
as touch upon the Roman jurisdiction
and hierarchy-all these, yet affirming
complete liberty in local self-govern-
ment and the investment of property
titles In the local parish organization.
The priest spoke on american ref
ormation." and predicted that 1t will
rapidly absorb most of the Polish
American Catholics into its fellowship
About 1000 communicates are claimed
by the three parishes in Chicago after
but four years of existence. The move
ment has spread into dozen other cit
les. Bishop Kozlowski now stands at
the head of this sect In America.
Because of its significance the prel-
ate's return to the people whom he had
led into the Independent movement
yesterday was celebrated ms both a pa
triotic and religious holiday by many
thousands of Poles in this city. After
solemn high mass had been celebrated
Bishop kozlowski made n report of
is mission to Switzerland. He pro-
duced the document attestlng his or
dinaf' which was read in Latin by
Rev. lul Poloch. and was Interpreted
d. an Polish and then in English
This parchment is regarded by the
priesthood of the new sect as ample
proof of legitimate ordination.
There was no attempt 20 convey the
impression that Pope Leo had given
his sanction to the new Polish move
ment in the wording of this docu-
ment.
DR.. Poloch says the new Polish
church is now In communion with all
the Independent Catholic churches of
Europe, comprising the Federation of
Utrecht" formed 300 years ago and
with about 100000 communicates.
The situation Is the outgrowth of the
dissensions which rent st. Stanislaus
and st, Hedwig's Roman Catholic
parishes four years ago. Those who
now constitute the independent Polish
church then left the mother church I'M
der the leadership of Father Kozowsli.
and for awhile clamored for the APP
polntment of n Polish bishop to have
charge of their spiritual affairs indie
pendently of Archbishop Fehan. They
failed to get any recognition whatever.
and the new organization resulted