The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-06
FLAGS II CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Catholics Hope the Decros from Roue 10 Not
20 broad rs Stated.

Catholics Hope the Decreo from Rome 10 Not
% broad rs Stated.
The news. as printed In yesterdays Sun in q
despatch from Washington that the Roman Con-
gregation Of the Holy Office had issued a decree
regulating the use of national or other flags in
Catholic churches was seriously discussed by
Catholic clergymen hero yesterday. At tho
archiepiscopal residence 1t was said that no
official news had been received there regarding
tho decree. Until information was received
directly from Mgr. Martinelli, the PapaI Dele
gate. who is at Washington. there is no dispo-
sition at the archiepiscopal residence to make
any comment on tho decree. According to THE
Sun Washington despatch the decree forbids
the use of national flags in any service of the
Church"
1t has been the custom to hoist the American
flag on the Cathedral on Washington's Birthday
and on other occasions of national rejoicing.
At the Church of the Paulist Fathers it has
been the custom to use the flag for decorating
purposes whenever there was anything in the
service that directly bore upon national
Day service at the Church of St. Paul
tho Apostle # was customary to decorate
the service marched into the church in full uni
military masses held in BrookiSn for the repose
Of the souls OF the dead on the battleship Maine
the churches IN winch the masses Werc held were
profusely decorated with flags. At st. Angus
tines. in Brooklyn. where the reported friction
between Bishop Mcdonnell and Father Nc
Cartby. the rector, started the discussion that
10 said to have called out the decree, the flag
would be very much missed from the church
decorations. Father Mccarthy is an ardent
American. 1t has been his habit on all
occasions of festivity to make the flag as
prominent as possible in the church decorations.
The occasion when Bishop Mcdonnell had cause
to disapprove of them was the dedication of the
new altar of tho church about three months ago.
Father Mccarthy had ho!stcd an American flag
to tho top OF the steeple. drnpec another over
the entrance. and many on the walls OF tho in
terror. One was arranged over the altar and
partly rested upon 1t. This was the flag that the
Bishop regarded with disapproval. He entered
the church Just before the service and. seeing 1t,
ordered that IL be removed. He was obeyed, but
so much feeling WAS aroused by the incident
that he did not stay at the church after tho
mass for tho yesper service. Mgr. Martinolli,
who was present, stayed. 1t was Understood at
tho time that the Bishop disapproved of the
placing of the flag in contact with the altar, and
not TO Its use as a church decoration.
81 hope" said n prominent priest Of this city
yesterday. that when the full text of the de-
cree 10 made public tand to my mind 1t Is quite
clear that 1t has not fully been made public yeti
we shall find that it Is not SO sweeping as the ad.
vance reports seem to indicate. i am inclined
to the belief that the decree will be found TO APP
ply moro particularly to altar and chancel deco
rAtions. Certainly the use OF tho flags of
European nations In European. churches has
never been limited or criticised"