The evening times., 1899-08-08
TUESDAY. AUGUST s, 1899.
The Case of brother Fabrician.

The Vatican will obtain a new and use
ful lesson on the subject of American Cath
olic independence from the proceedings OF
the ST Johns College alumni at the Ra
leigh Hotel last night. The occasion, as
readers of The Times are aware, was fare
we'll banquet given 10 Brother Fabrician,
late president of the institution. who has
been deposed and ordered 10 report 10 the
General and Council of the Order of Chris
tian Brothers in France. AS has happened
in like cases. il is understood that Brother
Fabrician viii be disciplined by assignment
to teach the rudiments of education In
some inhospuable semi-civilized country.
His offence is merely that he has, like,
other chiefs of Christian Brothers colleges
in this country. resisted the reactionary de-
cree OF the council that the higher educa-
ton, especially the classics. shall no longer
be taught by the order in the United States.
This decision is based on the idea of the
founder, which was TO supply an elementary
course TO the poor, and in France il has
been adhered to- But. in this country. the
brothers have kept pace with the demand
for advancement in education as in othel
Wv iALru AiitNNlollo anu hON nave. oF It-
Gently had, number of fourishing institu-
tions. where Catholic youth could receive ID
thorough college training To wipe out
these establishments at a single blow. sub
stituting for them merely parish schools.
after all the labors and trials incident TO
the upbuilding of a system at once useful.
successful, and popular. is felt 10 be an un-
just and intoIerabie interference of ignorant
medieyalism with necessary modern move
ment; and il is bitterly resented by the
great class Of intelligent American Catho-
lies, who are most interested in the re-
suits.
Neither they nor the prosecuted heads
of houses are disposed TO accept the
change without a fight. The Pope has
been appealed TO, he alone possessing au-
thority TO reverse the order of the Christ
ian Brothers Council. Upon his decision
will rest a great deal of importance to the
Roman Catholic Church in America.
Noted for their loyalty and obedience in
matters strictly Of faith, its members are
equally well known among the Catholic
populations of the world for their inde-
pendence in respect of other things. Much
as they venerate the Holy See they would
not consent for a moment to allow il 10
dictate to them in any manner which might
affect their civic duty or relations. That
being true, they are even more sensitive
on the question of interference with their
highest educational interests by power
less than Rome, dependent upon it for au-
thority; and not even clerical, for the
Christian Brothers are not priests, but
secular persons under VOWS for their par
ucular work.
If il happen that the Vatican, notwith-
standing the earnest representations and
protests of leading Catholics in the United
States, shall support the destructive pur-
pose of the French general and his coadju-
tors, very unpleasant impression will be
created, and an argument will be furnished
against the hitherto assumed liberal ten
denotes Of Leo XIII that will be hard tc
meet. But such an outcome is not prob.
able. The chances are that the wise ani
kindly Pope will find way to placate the
opposing factions in the Brotherhood and
TO save to the children of the church il
America their cherished schools.