The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-16
CHURCH PROPERTY
In our Newly Acquired Possessions
Its Proper Disposition.

I
Its Proper Disposition.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. Eat q
meeting of the National Christian clti-
zenshIp conyentlon a letter was read
from william Henry Roberts a promi-
nent Presbyterian and secretary Of the
Alliance Of Reformed Churches on the
subject OF the church property in our
newly acquired possessions. The letter
says In part:
''In all these territories, acquired as a
result OF the war with Spain, there are
large church properties which have
been under the control hitherto of the
Roman Catholic church as the estab-
lished church of Spain and her colonies.
These church properties are claimed By
the Roman Catholic authorities, but to
a large extent with no show OF right.
There doubtless are properties given by
will or direct personal donation under
the control Of Roman Catholic church
authorities In Porto Rico and the Phil
Lppines. But IN addition to such prop
critics there are other properties, espe-
cIally church edlfices. which were paid
for out Of the public funds and main
talned at the expense Of the Spanish
government. The latter properties are
the properties not Of the church, but OF
the people.
"ThIs is the fact in all countries
where there are established churches.
Such churches In Spain. France, Eng
land and Germany are branches OF the
state, and their edihces are erected and
expenses PAID. the salaries OF bishops
and priests Included. out Of the public
taxes. 1t was because OF this fact that
when the South American republics be-
came independent OF Spain the new rul-
ers took possession Of q very consider
able part Of the church property. They
took the ground that the ownership Of
the property was In the state and not
in the church. The same ground was
taken in England at the time OF the re-
formation.
westminster Abbey, London, was
once a Roman Catholic place OF wor-
ship and is now a Protestant Episcopal
church, because the structure was paid
for By the money OF the English nation.
and the ownership was and is In the
English people.
'The ecclesiastical situation, there
fore, as 1t lies in many minds Is this:
The church property in Porto Rico and
LEE IIllllpUlIlESt bEluE ~ u la4kt EAkGlfh
the property of the state Is not right
fully the property of the Roman Cath
ole church. The United States gov
eminent. therefore, should take possess
sion OF all church property, should care
fully determine what part Of the prop
erty actually belongs to the Roman
Catholic church as such. and retain the
remainder under its own control for the
benefit OF the peoples OF the new terri
tories.
81 would not advocate that the uni
ted States government should take pos.
session of church property in the new
territories. selling the same at public
sale and placing the money IN Its Own
treasury; but do say that the people
OF this new territory In each Of their
cities and towns should have an oppor1
tunlty to determine what use should be
made OF these church edlfces. They
were built by money forced from them
by oppressive methods OF the Spanish
government and they are morally and
think legally the property Of the inhabI-
tants Of these territories. Let there be
a vote for instance, In each OF the
towns and parishes OF Porto Rico as TO
the disposal Of the church ediaces."