The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-21
INTERESTSOF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Archbishop Ireland Discusses Its Pro-
speots in Our New Territory.
NO UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE
The Ouestiou Need Not Be Considered
by Any COMMISSIONER Will Flour
ish Better Under American
Rule than That OF Spain.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2o-Archbshop
ireland. who has been in this city for
several days. left tonight During his
stay he had number Of conferences
with President Mckinley, with whom
his relations are OF the most cordial
character. The Archbishop has declined
% discuss the significance Of his calls
upon the President. but it has been gem
orally understood that he was acting in
the interest Of the Catholic Church as to
its protection IN our new possession.
Archbishop ireland dismisses as with
out foundation the statements that
church matters are liable 10 cause dis
sensions To the Associated Press to-
night he made the statement. which fol-
lows:
NO DIFFICULTY.
1.-THE church question in our new pos
sessions offers no difficulty whatever
Two principles are already settled By the
Constitution and laws Of America. There
will be no union Of church ard State
such as is established by customs In Ger
tain Catholic countries Of Europe. there
will be complete protection OF all pro-
pertics and OF an persons. With such
principles Catholics in the United States
are satisfied. and Catholics in our new
possessions will be satisfied
The sO-calied church question need not
be considered by military or peace COM
missions. 10 is fully regulated the mo-
ment the flag Of this country is raised
over this territory. The people OK our
new possessions understand this matter
very well l am sure and will Loyalty ac-
cept the situation. 10 may not be very
easy for them az first TO adapt them
selves in all cases 20 this situation; but
the embarrassments felt xill be- but tenn
porary. The people will soon realize that
II is their duty TO support religion by vol
untary and personal contributions. Tn
the greater number OF parishes moreover.
church properties yield ample revenue to
meet an expenses.
THOROUGHLY ORGANIZED.
The church everywhere I'm our new pos
sessions is thoroughly organized; IL
means no missionary or experimental as
pect; but has the fun form and the full
strength OF complete organization. ana
is well prepared 20 care for all her i'm
terests without the help Of state or char
table aid. 10 demands uO favor no priv
iiege-naught but liberty and legal pro-
lection of the nati0na. and civil rights OF
its members. Certain people who talk OF
those territories as field for missionary
efforts from the United States do not
know what they are talking about. They
might with as much sense organize mis-
slous for the conversion of the CathO-
lies of Washingtonas for the conversion
Of the Catholics Of Santiago. Havana or
san Juan-and their labOrs would have as
much prospect OF success i'm Washington
as IN those cities OF Cuba or Porto Rico.
40 CHANGE
The separation OF the countries OF
South America from Spain and Portugal
brought no change OF religion. nor Will
tho separation OF Cuba and Porto Rico
from Spain bring any, Indeed, the Cath
Ollie Church win flourish better in cuba
and Porto Rico than in other territories.
former colonies of Spain. because. in
cuba and Porto Rico there will be for
her the liberty and stability OF order
which our flag guarantees.
Cuba and Porto Rico form am ecclesi-
astical province with the Archbishp OF
Santiago as metropolitan and sunragan
bishops at san Juan and Havana.
WILL BE AMERICAN.
This province will take its place I'm the
American hierarchy just as do the Prov
ince Of Baltimore and that of St. Paul,
making the fifteenth ecclesiastical PROV
ince in the United States AMI bringing 10
our Cathode population an addition of
two and "a half milliOns-nOt 90 talk OF the
Islands Of the Pacific. So 1hatver else
will come % America from the late war
considerable increase of numbers and
power will come from It 10 the Catholic
Church.
As "a Catholic. I am very much salts
fed with the way things have zen going
and as an American 7 am. OF course
thoroughly satisfied. But if 1 were 20
speak at length OF my feelings as an
American the interview would be too
lengthy. and [ will stop at the religious