The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-14
FEAR FOR THE SCHOOLS.
CHRIsTIAN BROTHERS FORBIDDEN TO
TEACH LATIN AND GREEK

Superier-Genoral at Paris Decides to En-.
force an Old Rule in Educational Insti-
tutions Conducted by the Order in this
Country - Tho Alumni viii Protest.
Brother Fabrician. former President OF St.
Johns College. Washington. D. G.. 10 guest
OF the Christian Brothers OF this city. He Will
leave on Wednesday for Paris. where he has
been called by the Superior General OF the
order in connection with the latter's resolution
10 compel the American brothers OF the order
to cease teaching Latin and Greek The mat
ter is ono which lies very near to tho hearts OF
the Christian Brothers OF this city. as IL will
affect their most important educational instl-
tuition, the Manhattan College at the Boulevard
and 131st street
The Order OF the Christian Brothers. which
was founded In 1880 by John Baptist de Ia
Sale. was originally meant to be an organic
alton for the education OF Catholic young men
in the practical sciences. The original rules OF
the order prohibited the brothers from teaoh
ing Latin and Greek. It being the intention OF
the founder that the institutions conducted
by the Order should keep outside OF tho
field covered by the great universities.
This rule has always been observed By
the European communities OF tho Order.
When the Order was established In this
country. however It found itself confronted by
very different conditions. 1t was soon found
that 1t was almost necessary for the order to
go beyong its former scope. II it wished to ac-
complish tho greatest amount OF good. The
Intervention Of the American bishops OF the
church secured for the members Of the Ameri-
can committees n temporary dispensation.
permitting them to add Latin and Greek to
their curriculum.
A long series OF superior generals life that
permission in force. having matters within the
Am erican branch as they found them. Mean
while the Christian Brothers succeeded in
building up in this country large number OF
educational institutions. foremost among
which rank Manhattan College. founded in
1910 and St. Johns College at Washington.
DC.
There was no indication that the present
Superior General. Brother Gabriel. desired
to change that policy. until the Archbishop OF
Hadheld. about two years ago. petitioned him
In behalf OF the practical sciences school con-
Quoted by the order In that city. 1t was his
wish. as we'll rs that OF the brothers concerned.
to develop the school into a college. adding
Latin to its curriculum. The request was not
only denied but tho SUPERIOR eneral used
the opportunity to remind the American broth
ers OF the existence OF the long forgotten rulo
and to issue an order requiring them to OBJ
serve It,
An appeal was at once taken to the Pope. the
American DrOtnerS holding tnat Bucn a cndnRo
mightcome very near paralyzlnR the work OF
the order in America. Tho Pope sided with tho
Superior General. however. and issued a
decree commanding obedience to his order.
The matter was then taken up by the Ameri-
can Archbishops. who at their annual meeting
last fall. discussed it at length and finally
drew up a petition to the Pope asking for the
revocation OF the order. The petition was
intrusted to Bishop Byrne OF Louisville, who
carried It to Rome 1t Is now before the
Propaganda and a final reply is expected this
fall
The next step OF the Superior General was
to relieve Brother Fabrician Of st Johns COL
leee and Brother Potamian OF Manhattan Col
leee from their duties as presidents and to call
the former to Paris, 1t ia now feared that the
SUPERIOR General may transfer Brother Fab
rcian to some obscure post and depose the new