The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-10
IRELAND's VISIT To
THE VATICAN EXPLAINED
Changed Conditions Confronting the
Church the Real Cause for His
Visit to the Pope

NEW YORK, Jan. "a special 10 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 affiliations. keeps IN close touch
with Catholic matters affecting both this
country and Europe to throw some light
on Archbishop ireland's visit 10 Rome
which he II soon 10 pay. Ine clergymIh
said:
There are many matters 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 convinced.
no call from the pope to visit Rome.
certainly not 10 answer any charges or
TO explain anything in connection with
the course OF the church in this country
during recent years. Monsignor Ire
lands visit is voluntary, and is. ! un-
derstand. principally in relation 10 the
changed conditions which will confront
the church in Cuba Forto Rico and the
FhiiI rlnes.
"As everyone realizes. there must be
many changes In the MANAGEMENT OF the
church in these islands and in the rela-
tionship hitherto existing between the
church and the government and between
the church and people. The peace treaty
provides free exercise OF religion In the
islands and guaranty that the property
which belongs to the church shall not be
taken from H.
'"Thore 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. II the
Islands are to be held by the United
States, as is now almost certain, 1t is
10 be expected that they win be placed
Under the hierarchy OF the United
States
THE government will not look with
favor on the proposition TO allow the
spanish priests to remain in power and
office IN those Islands. While they are
cordially dlsliked and even hated by a
lAFkt npuN VI liic HahNNSs AANs az SNAA
very influential and their presence there
would be a constant menace to the In
terests OF this country and a hindrance
to the work OF Americanizing the Islands.
Two priests accompanied General
Merritt when he sailed for the Philip
pines, and they spent some time in Man.
lila and other Islands. One OF them eN-
pressed himself in vigorous terms as to
the habits and character Of the Philip
pine priesthood. They are totally differ
ent from the priests OF this country. The
priests are almost all friars, being men,
bers OF powerful religious organizations,
"As tho organizations never die, they
accumulate wealth very rapidly. In this
case. they have been assisted by the
government. which gave the church vast
wealth. that had been lcft behind by
original owners, who He'd TO escape pun
lshment by the rebels. These lands the
church holds on y tentative title, and II
Is expected Il will be compelled to sur
render large quantity of It, either to
the government of the United States or
the original owners or their heirs,
During the period of transition from
the Spanish priesthood TO the American
priesthood. Archbishop Ireland's presence
in Rome will be of the greatest value,
both to the church and to the govern
ment.
"This, believe. is the principal reason