The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-08-19
A BISHOPS ExcoMmuN1cAr1oN.

hundred members OF the Irish Catholic
congregation OF St. Patrick's church,
East St. Louis, because they refused to
receive German priest as their pastor.
The matter was referred to Mgr. Mar
tinelli for adjustment, but that papal
dignitary declined to interfere until the
bishop was unable to enforce his au-
thority. Instead of proceeding tactfully
in the affair, the bishop stood firm and
would not yield to the reasonable de-
mand OF the congregation for pastor
OF their own nationality. To display his
ecclesiastical authority he resorted to
accommodation. In our opinion he
assumes terrible responsibility. The
souls OF these people are as precious in
the sight of God as is that of the bishop,
and IT any of them are lost by his hasty
action it may cause the loss of his own
soul when he appears before the judg-
ment seat.
We dare say that Bishop Jansen has
not appointed any Irish priest as the
pastor of German congregation. The
Catholic directory shows that in his do
cese there are sixty-fve German priests,
and only six who bear Irish names, one
OF whom officiated at St. Patrick's
church. In view OF this fact we think
Bishop Jansen has carried the nation
atty question too much into church
matters, and that he is acting most ar
bitrarily with the congregation in East
st. Louis. We thoroughly agree with
Fl. Malone of the Colorado Catholic.
when he says:
mo one can condone the opposition
to the duly constituted authority of the
bishop. At the same time the lack of
tact which has brought about the un-
fortunate condition cannot be too
greatly deplored. 1t is obvious that a
Slight consideration of human nature
tempered with gentle tact would have
obviated the whole deplorable affair. 1t
is not sufficient to say that authority is
paramount to every other consideration,
TOR due consideration of existing cir
cumstances would in no wise have in
yured respect for authority. Were bish-
ops to overlook the circumstances sur
rounding each individual congregation
III the appointment of pastors, state Of
ecclesiastical anarchy would surely re-
suit. To show this, it is only necessary
to contemplate the condition that would
result from the appointment of French,
Italian or Irish priests to the parishion-
ers OF German congregations.
The easiest and quickest way to end
this ecclesiastical rumpus is to have the
bishop appoint Father Cluse to Ger
man church and let the members of St.
Patrick's church have an Irish priest as
before. The sooner, he revokes his ban
the better it will be for all concerned
and the less scandal will ensue. The
effects of an accommodation are ap-
palling to Catholics like the Irish who
have kept the faith for centuries in spite
OF every persecution. Among other
things, the official act of Bishop JAMS
sen carries with it the following effects:
Il. A person accommodated can
not receive the sacrament before he has
repented, retracted before witnesses and
been absolved from accommodation
by the bishop or by priest designated
by him.
sc. The communicated person is
forbidden to assist at mass and other
services held in church or chapel, even
on Sunday.
g. II person dies under the CEN
sure OF accommodation he or she can
not receive Christian burial and cannot
be inferred in consecrated grounds"
The Irish Standard is Catholic to the
core, though it does not display its
Catholicity in its name, like several of
its contemporaries. It has the highest
regard for the American hierarchy and
has no desire whatever to lessen the
esteem in which Bishop Jansen is held.
At the same time, we deem it not un-
becoming to say that the laity of his
diocese have certain rights which he
should have calmly considered before
adopting such an extreme measure as
the accommodation OF the faithful in
East St. Louis. In the letter addressed
to the recalcitrants he declared that "the
time of mercy and forbearance is at an
end" He should have tried his utmost
to amicably adjust matters in accord
ance with the advice OF the apostolic
delegate, and avoid giving cause for
public scandal. His Teutonic temper
got the best OF him, and in his wrath he
pronounced the dreadful words OF ex-
communication. We trust he will re-
consider his action, both for his own
sake and that of the members OF St.
Patrick's parish. He is responsible for
the souls committed to his pastoral care
and will have to give an account of them
hereafter. If he has inflicted such Sc
we're punishment without exhausting
every means of reconciliation we would
rather be among the communicated
than to be wearing his mitre. Some of
the Catholics that have fallen under his
= Z, ss5S.sss 81. w