The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-10
IRELAND'S TRIP TO ROME
THE AMERICAN ARCHBIsHOP'S AD-
VICE NEEDED BY THE VATICAN.
Situation of the Roman Catholic
Causing the Pope Much Concern.

NEW YORK, Jan. "A special to the
Herald from Washington says: The Herald
correspondent is able, through the courtesy
of a prominent Catholic clergyman of this
city, who, through his foreign affilia lions,
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 mat
ters to which Archbishop Ireland will give
his personal attention while in Europe that
it is hard to specify any particular cause
for his visit. There has been, / am con
vinced no call from the Pope to visit Rome,
certainly not to answer any charges or to
explain anything in connection with the
course of the church in this country dur
ing recent years. Monsignor Ireland's visit
is voluntary and is, 1 understand, princi-
pally in relation to the changed conditions
which will confront the church in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines. AS every
one realizes, there must be many changes
in the management of the church in these
islands and in the relationship hitherto ex-
listing 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 in the Philippines,
which nOminally belongs to the church. but
to which there are many claimants 1t is
not this so much as the character of the
priests in the Philippines which is a cause
of so much anxiety to the hierarchy of the
United States. If the islands are to be held
by the United States, as is now almost GER
TAIN 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 Span
ish 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 ere still very influential,
and their presence there would be con-
slant menace to the interests of this coun-
try and q hindrance to the work of Ameri-
canizing the islands
Two priests accompanied General Mer-
rift when he sailed for the Philippines, and
they spent some time in Manila and other
islands One of them expressed himself in
vigorous terms as to the habits and the
character of the Philippine priesthood. They
are totally different from the priests of this
country. The priests are almost all friars,
being members of powerful religious organ
izations. AS the organization never dies.
they accumulate wealth very rapidly In
this case they have been assisted by the
government, which gave the church vast
wealth that had been left behind by the
original owners, who fled to escape punish
ment by the rebels. These lands the church
holds on a tentative title, and it is ex-
pected it will be compelled to surrender a
large quantity of it either to the govern
ment of the United States or to the orig
inal owners or their heirs.
During the period of transition from the
Spanish priesthood TO the American priest
hood 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 pre-
sent the case of America and the American
church to the Pope 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 incite a visit to
Rome. The university yesterday placed a
mortgage on its property Tor $3.50 900, but l
understand 1t is to be utilized to erect
building which IS needed as they are
crowded there. There seems TO be no neces-
sity for adding fuel to the fire which ragged
over the publications dealing with the life
of Father Hecker Europe takes an ad-
verse view of Father HecSer and his work,
and America praises him: There is no recon
citation in sight, and fresh defense would
arouse more bitter criticism. However
strong the American liberals may appear
on the surface and whatever prestige NAV
be attached to them. France and Europe
will always be conservative, and there are
influences at Rome which will never cease
their attempts to thwart the efforts of the
American liberals. Archbishop Ireland made
a sensational address the last time he was
in Paris. He is to speak there again while
in Europe. Perhaps this address will be as
sensational and as productive of comment
as the last"
The coming visit to France of Archbishop
ireland and the address which he is to de-
liver in Paris before one of the societies
there are expected to either cause reac-
ton favorable to the Americans or to bring
matters to a crisis Archbishop Ireland is
highly regarded by the French Catholics
and the last address he made in Paris was
the subject of much favorable comment
and for a time liberalism in the American
sense of the word was not regarded with the
horror formerly displayed. The influence of
this address has partly worn off. and il re-
mains TO be seen if he can revive 1t.
The ArchhishOn I,oaves for Rome