The times., 1898-10-04
Future of Catholicism in New
American Possessions.
A DIVORCE FROM STATE
Unusual Interest Attaches to the
Coming Meeting of Archbishops in
WashinGton-They Will Consider
the FIXTURE of the Catholic Re-
the Philippines.

of the United States, which Will be held I
at the Catholic University in this city.
commencing october II, promises TO be
one of the most important which has /
taken place in recent years. The rou-
tine affairs of the church in this country
will receive attention, but the momentous
question will be the consideration of the
status of the church in the late Spanish
possessions, which now claim protection
under the American flag.
Archbishop Keane has returned from
Rome to take part in the conference
and other leading figures of the church
are expected to be present. While 1T is
in progress the annual meeting of the
directors of the Catholic University will
be held.
In Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines
should the latter islands come into the
possession of the United States, change
of government necessitates a change in
the status of the church. Catholicity has
hitherto been the religion of the state In
those countries as in all Spanish possess
sions, besides being the religion of the
people, and has not really been subordi-
nate to the state.
The change, however, instead of being
the radical upheaval of the church insti-
tutions in those countries which seems to
be generally expected, will be an easy
transition from Spanish to American Gus
toms The church will Immediately take
the same position II occupies in this coun-
try dropping its old connections of state,
but remaining. of course, a free religion
for the people.
The established Catholic archbishoprics
will not be disturbed except in instances
where il is made necessary by death or
retirement. They will be under the direc-
ton of and responsible to the church CEN
ter in America, however, instead of in
Spain. Ine archbishops and bishops will
attend conferences here whenever called,
and they viii be in every sense a part
of the Catholic Church of the United
States
1t is thought by some prominent mem
bers Of the Catholic clergy here that
Catholicity. as the religion Of the people,
will suffer in the new American posses
sions to some extent, in the beginning.
although little apprehension is felt as TO
the ultimate result Hitherto Spain has
kept Protestant missionaries out of her
colonial territories. The church has
dominated TO such an extent that other
denomina tons were unable TO accomplish
anything in the way of missionary work.
Under the new regime, however it Is
| expected that the numerous Protestant
missionary societies. with the large sums
of money at their command, will set ac-
| lively to work in the islands, establishing
! free missions, free soup houses or free
banana stands, and the INDECENT class,
which comprises a large extent of the
population will flock to them.
This. while expected not to interfere
/ lie church to any very great extent, viii
probably reduce it's following in coun-
tries considerably at first II is not re-
/ garded as very serious problem, how
ever, and, of course, no steps will or can
be taken to forestall such missionary
| work.
The reasons for refraining from MAX
| ing any change in the personnel of the
Catholic clergy in the new American pos
sessions is apparent. 1t is necessary for
| the priests in those countries to either
be Spaniards or speak Spanish. and to
/ have familiarized themselves with the
people There will be a number Of priests
| sent to various parts of the islands from
| this country, in order to facilitate the
Americanization of the Spanish clergy.
The Catholic affairs of Cuba and Porto
| Rico are directed from Santiago de Cuba,
that being the old capital of Cuba. The
|
has two suffragans, one at Havana and
another in Porto Rico. The archbishop
| and bishops at the two latter points will
! remain in charge of Catholic affairs there
under the supervision Of the heads of the
church here.
In speaking of the change yesterday a
| prominent Catholic clergyman here said
that it would ultimately be of great bene
| fit TO the church. Because of its close
] aIIfo rt,i+ hn tat to in a M
| sessions of SPAIN the church had suf-
| fered to some extent during the war.
| The cruelties which the government prac-
/ ticed on the people were too apt to be
| laid at the door of the church behind
| which the state was sheltered, and the
| action of the clergy in the islands, natu-
| rally Spanish sympathiZers since they
| We're Spanish subjects, produced much ad-
| verse comment.
The program to be followed al the con-
| ference is not known to any of the clergy
| in this city, and perhaps to few OF the
| archbishops themselves. They possess a
| general idea of the subjects which will
come up for consideration, but no formal
| program has been arranged.
The last encyclical letter of Pope Leo.
dated September 5, which was issued TO
call attention to the fact that the month
of October has been especially consecrated
to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
mas Deen received py the apostoiic ueie-
CATION here, and copies OF it have been
forwarded to archhishops and bishops in
the United States. The encyclical was
purely devotional in character.
Monsignor Martinelli, the papal repre-
sentative, is in Rochester. n. Y.
The result of the nominations for the
archbishopric OF Sante Fe vacated by
Archbishop Chapeile. who is now at New
Orleans, which have been in Rome for
some time. has not been made known
here. The post OF Bishop of Harrisburg
is also vacant, owing to the death of the
latest incumbent, but it is said that it
will not be filed for some time.
Winter Camp at Cincinnati.
delegation of business and profess
sionaI men from Cincinnati called at the
War Department yesterday. They pro-