The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-11
ROME WEIGHS ITS VERDICT.
NO DECIsION TET IN CHRISTIAF
BROTHERS, SCHOOLS CASE


Brothers In this country that no decision has
been reached In Rome as 10 whether they shall
be permitted to continue the teaching OF the
classics In their colleges. The final decision.
II In said will not be made before next Novem-
Der or December.
1t 10 safe TO assert that no question at pres
ent before those interested In the education OF
Catholic young men In the United states has
assumed tho Importance OF this one. and the
outcome 10 awaited with impatience. not only
by tho clergy and laity In the Catholic Church
itself. but by many Protestants. who look upon
the whole affair involving the attack on the
Christian Brothers az but another phase OF
administration. II well-defned rumors are
to be credited, the question has also claimed
the attention OF Official circles at Washington.
The fact that many OF the Brothers who resist
ed the efforts OF their superiors In France TO
prevent them from carrying on a classical
course in their institutions have been sent to
obscure points IN Europe. Asia and Africa. at
the behest OF foreign influence. is not rel
ished by some OF the Government ofncials.
1t has been claimed by tho friends OF the
Brothers that opposition to the American spirit
OF independencs prom pied the French superiors
to issue the order concerning the classics. and
that the effect OF this order would be to close oil
tho Brothers colleges In this country. for
without the classics those institutions would
not attract students. The case was finally SUBJ
mtted to the authorities at Rome. Bishop
Byrne Of Nashville. Tenn. went to Rome az the
representative OF the Brothers and made an
argument for them before the Holy See.
Current report has had II that the Roman
authorities settled the matter some time ago
by adopting a sort OF compromise. BY which
the Brothers in this country might continue to
teach tho classics In the colleges they already
control, but In any new college they might es-
tablish the classics must not be introduced.
Bishop Byrne who has Just returned from
Rome. has announced that no such decision
was given. He says that the question Is OF so
grave nature that 1t has been laid before the
full College OF Cardinals for decision and final
action. No decision OF any kind. he says. has
been rendered. and none will be given i'm medl-
ately.
Six months were consumed by Bishop Byrne
and the Brothers respectfully in laying doou-
ments before the Propaganda and In writing
arguments and counter-arguments on the
various aspects OF the question at issue. The
final documents were handed into the Pro-
paganda toward the end OF last June. About
this time. both parties received word from the
Secretary OF the Propaganda that the case was
closed and no more documen would be re-
ceved from either side. The Bishop was also
informed by the Cardinal Perfect that owing
to the great number Of papers In the case and
the vast amount OF work necessary to sort.
arrange and print them for use by the cardinals.
1t would be impossible to bring the matter be-
fore the Con gregation earlier than November.
Acting on the advice both OF Cardinal Gibbons
and OF the Cardina - Project OF the Propaganda,
Bishop Byrne returned to the United States.
not wishing to spend four months idly waiting
in Rome
II was in 1897. when the new Superior Gen.
eral OF tho Brothers. Brother Gabriel Marie.
took office in Paris that an effort was made to
prevent the American Brothers from teaching
the classics. He announced that he was infiu-
enced in this action by consideration OF the fact
that the founder OF the Order OF Christian
Brothers. Abbe de la Sale. directed that no
attempt should be made to rivo higher
education to boys but that the Brotherhood
should confne its efforts to the teaching
OF rudimentary or primary education. This
rule was made a hundred years ago But the
Brothers in this country. realizing that a
hgher standard was required. introduced the
study OF the classics and esta blished academies
and colleges. as we'll as parocha schools.
When the new Superior General issued his
order In 1897. the heads OF the Brotherhood
here replied that such action would result In
the breaking UP OF their academies and col
leges. ruin their effectiveness for educational
purposes and diminish the value OF their
property.
The Superior General responded ny direct
ing the enforce ment OF the order and began
crushing out tho shirt OF characterization by
removing the heads OF the colleges. recalling
them to Paris. and sending them to distant
points In subordinate capacities. Brother JUS
tin, head ofthe order In New York, has been
Il n
ian. his assistant. is In Belgium Brother Ber-
nard. OF Manhattan College, this city. 10 in
Egypt; Brother Maurice. OF Rock Hill College
Md. is in India: Brother Maurelian. OF the col
lege at Memphis. Tenn. has a su coordinate place
in France: and Brother FabrIcian. of st. Johns
College. Washington. has been ordered to
France. One OF the Brothers called to Paris to
be disciplined. Brother Ambrose. was lost
when the Burgosne went down.
These attacks made by the French Superior
General. Gabriel Marie. on the American
Christian Brothers. have aroused such a strong
feeling among American Catholics and Prot
estants. who insist that American institutions
should be free from foreign interference at all
hazards. that unoff1cial representations were
made, It is affirmed. to the Propaganda at
Rome relating to the subject. by the State
Department. Rome was made to understand.
m tent did not approve the course taken by the
Superior General OF the Christian Brothers
The story goes that during the time that In
tervened between the resignation OF Secretary
Day and the appointment OF Secretary Hay.
tho matter was presented to Acting Secretary
Adee by former Governor Hoyt OF Wyoming, a
warm friend OF Brother Fabroian. At the
solicitation Of Gov Hoyt. Secretary OF tho In
terror Bliss directed Commissioner Harris Of
tho United States Bureau Of Education to
draw up a paper setting forth the damage
which would he done to the cause OF educa-
ton In the United States should tho course OF
action determined upon by Superior Cen
eral Gabrisl-Marle be continued. Mr.. Harris.
who sympNthized with the cause Of the broth
ers. drew up strong paper iavorlng their con-
tention. which was presented to Mr.. Adee. II
was expected that the State Departm mt would
make some representations to the Vatican
through AMBASSADOR Draper and Cardinal
Rampolla.
When Secretary Hay took charge OF the De-
pErtment he found no precedent for an offloIal
communication with tho Vatican and declined
to let matters take this course. Ho authorized