The San Francisco call., 1899-01-09
ARCHBISHOP
|RELAND'S
TRIP TO ROME
Due to Conditions in
the Islands.
TO CONFER WITH THE POPE
A RULE OF SPANISH PRIESTS
THAT WILL BE BROKEN.
The American Hierarchy Is Particu-
larly Interested in Overthrow
ing the Power of Friars
in Philippines.
TO CONFER WITH THE POPE
A RULE OF SPANISH PRIESTS
THAT WILL BE BROKEN.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK. Jan. S.-The Washing
ton correspondent of the Herald tele-
graphs: 1 am able through the courtesy
Of prominent Catholic clergyman of
this city, who through his foreign affili-
ations keeps in close touch with Catho-
lie 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 clergy
man said tonight:
There are so many matters to which
Archbishop Ireland will give his per-
sonal 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 con-
nection with the course of the church
in this country during recent years.
Mgr. Ireland's visit is voluntary and is,
understand, principally in relation to
changed conditions which will confront
the church in Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines.
THE character of the priests in the
Philippines is the cause of much anx-
iety TO the hierarchy of the United
States. If the islands are to be held
by the United States, which is now al
most certain, it is to be expected they
Will be placed under the hierarchy of
the United States. The Government
will not look with favor on the propo-
sition to allow Spanish priests TO re-
main in power and offices in these ISL
ands. While they are cordially dis
liked and even hated by a large body
of the natives, they are still very in
fiuential, and their presence there
would be a constant menace to the in
terests of this country and hindrance
70 the work of AmericaniZing the ISL
ands.
Two priests accompanied General
Merritt when he sailed for the Philip
pines, and they spent some time in Ma
Mia and other islands. One of them
expressed himself in vigorous terms as
to the habits and character of Philip
pine priesthood. They are totally diff
ferent from the priests of this country.
The priests are almost all friars, being
members of powerful religious organi-
cations. 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 which has been left behind
by the original owners who fled to es-
cape punishment by the rebels. These
lands the church holds on a tentative
title, and it is expected 1t will be COM
PEELED to surrender large quantity Of
it either to the Government of the
United States or to the original owners
or their heirs.
During the period of transition from
Spanish priesthood to American priest
hood Archbishop Ireland's presence in
Rome will be Of the greatest value both
to the church and the Government
This, I believe, is the principal reason
for bis trip. which is to present the
case Of America and the American
church to Pope Leo XIII, and explain
many steps which the Government will
take in regard to the church in these
islands"