Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-11
TO DUST SPANISH PRIESTS
Conditions Which Confront the
Church in the Philippines.
IRELAND'S MISSION.
May be Compelled to Surrender a
Large Portion of Their
Great Wealth..

New York, Jan. "a special to the
Herald from Washington says: ''Thc
Herald correspondent is able through the
courtesy Of q prominent Catholic clergy
man of this city, who, through his for
eign affiliations, keeps in close touch with
Catholic matters affecting both this
country and Europe, to throw some light
on Archbishop Ireland's visit to Rome
which he is soon to pay.
This clergyman said: There are so
many matters to which Archbishop Ire
land will give his personal attention
while in Europe it is hard to specify any
particular cause for his visit. There has
been, | am convinced, no call from the
Pope to visit Rome, certainly not to an
SWer any charges or to explain anything
church i'll this country during recent
years. Mgr. Ireland's visit is voluntary,
and is, | understand, principally III relI-
ton to the changed conditions which will
confront the church in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the Philippines.
AS everyone realizes, there must be
many changes in the management Of the
church III these islands and in the rela-
tOnShip hitherto existing between the
church and government and between the
church and people. The peace treaty
provides for the free exercise of religion
in the islands and a guarantee that the
property which belongs to the church
shall not be taken from it.
There is, however, a vast quantity Of
property, especially Ill the Philippines,
which nOminally belongs to the church,
but to which there are many claimants.
- 1t is not this SO much as the char
acter of the priests i'll the Philippines
Il, @yl Il,
the hierarchy of the United States. If
the islands are to be held by the United
States. as IS now almost certain, it IS
TO be expected that they will be placed
under the hierarchy of the United States.
The government will not look with
favor on the proposition to allow the
Spanish priests to remain in power and
office in these islands While they are
cordially disliked and even hated by a
large body OF the natives, they are still
very influential and their presence there
would be Il constant menace to the inter
cStS of this country and a hindrance TO
the work of AmericaniZing the islands.
Two priests accompanied Gen. Mer-
rift when he sailed for the Philippines
and they spent some time i'll Manila and
other islands. One of them expressed
himself i'll vigorous terms as to the haD-
its and the character of the Philippine
priesthood. They are totally different
priests are almost all friars, being mem
bers of powerful religious organizations.
AS the organization never dies, they
accumulate wealth very rapidly. In this
case they have been assisted by the gov
eminent which gave the church vast
wealth that had been left behind by the
original owners who fed to escape pun
ishment by the rebels. These lands the
church holds on a tentative title and il
is expected it will be compelled to sur
render large quantity of it either 20
the government of the United States or
to the original owners or their heirs.
During the period of transition from
the Spanish priesthood TO the American
priesthood Archbishop Ireland's presence
in Rome will be of the greatest value,
both to the church and the government.
This, | believe, is the principal reason
for his trip to present the case of Ameri-
ca and the American church to Pope Leo
NH. and to explain many steps which
the government will take in regard to the
church in these islands.
There is nothing in regard to the
Catholic university which would inclte
a visit to Rome. The university has
placed mortgage on its property
utilized to erect bun,.lng which is need
ed, as they are very crowded there.
There seems to be Eo necessity for add
ing fuel to the fte which ragged over the
publications dealing with the life of Fa-
Their Hecler. Europe takes an adverse
view of Father Hctl:vr and his work in
American praises him. There is no rec
oncilation in sight ami fresh defense
would arouse more litter criticism.
However strong the American Liber-
ais may appear cn The surface and what
ever prestige may be attached to them,
France and Europe will always be con
sentative and trre SIC influences at
Rome which will never cease their at
tempts to thwart TIE efforts Of the Amer
lean Liberals.
Archbishop Ireland made a sens,l-
riOnal address the last time he was in
Paris. He is to speak there again while
i'll Europe. Perhaps this address will be
as sensational and as productive Of COM
ment as the last
The coming visit to France of Arch
bishop Ireland and the address which he
is to deliver in Paris before one Of the
societies there are expected to either
cause reaction favorable to the Ameri-
cans or bring matters to a crisis.
Archbishop Ireland is highly regarded
by the French Catholics, and the last adj
dress he made in Paris was the subject
of much favorable comment and for Il
time Liberalism in the American sense
of the word was not regarded with TIL.
horror formerly displayed The influence
Of this address has partly worn off and it
remains to be seen if he can revive it.