The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-06
IDEAS CONFLICT.
French Speaking,
Catholics Have a
Word to Say.
CLAIM new PASTOR is RIGHT.
Town Hall Mass Still EX-
ercises All of North
Brookfield.
CLAIM new PASTOR is RIGHT.

North Brookield, Sept. 5.-The con-
sternation among the French element
in secession from ST. Joseph's Roman
Catholic church is great over the story
published in The Spy relative to the
mass which was celebrated in the town
hall Sunday by Rev. John Berger
whose exact identity is kept a secret
They take umbrage at the statements
made in The Spy, claiming they were
unfair to them, although by far the
great majority of the townspeople
agree that The spy's story of the af-
fair was the only correct version pub
lished, and that it fitted the situation
to the second
But as The Spy stated Monday, facts
are stubborn things, and it is hard, in
deed, to gainsay the fact that Bishop
heaven has refused to grant the North
Brookfield secessionists a church of
their own, and that Pope Leo XIII no.
titled them, through the bishop, that
there was no reason, in his opinion, for
the existing difficulties, and it is an
oPen secret that in the Catholic church
both ecclesiastics take rank ahead of
even the Rev. John Berger.
There Is every reason to believe that
most of the people of North Brookfield
would be very glad to see the French
people get a church and pastor of their
own, and none more so than the mem
bers of St Joseph's church. But on
an SIDES is heard condemnation of this
last step, though of course each man is
put voleing his own opinion of the mat
ter.
To many 1t seems strange that the
Kew. John Berger should announce him
self an obedient child of the pope. even
while he is assisting the French people
OF North Brookfield to do the very
thing that Rome has discountenanced
The French people explain this by say
ing that Pope Leo has never refused IN
give them church.
Today ]. A Bowler. who is secretary
OF the committee of three which sent.
the impertinent letter to Bishop Bea-
ven, told The Spy man that the story
IN Mondays Spy had grieved the
french people greatly, and gave as his
opinion that the statements. contained
therein Were unfair to the secession
lists. We have never been refused per-
mission by the pope" he said, for it
was not we that wrote the letter to
which the answer was received"
When asked if ne doubted the anthem
tfcity of the letters sent to North Brook
field by Bishop Beaver, Mr.. Bowler re-
piled: Il have never seen the letter sent.
by Bishop Beaver to Rome, therefore /
do not know what it contained
know" he continued, that we are
Roman Catholics and that our priest is
Roman Catholic priest and has a right
to be with US"
point that was noticed at the mass
In the town hall, Sunday, by some that
We're present out of curiosity, was that
FIR. Berger wore a vestment of lemon
hue, while at St. Joseph's church the
priests wore green colored vestments.
Those who ought to know say that the
"ordo" of the church called for green
vestments Sunday and the appearance
of the other color is considered as very
peculiar. While aside from the enthusi-
astic secessionists, there are very few
about town who believe the stranger to
be a Roman Catholic priest in good
standing, it is almost a certainty that
UP to the time he came to North Brook
field he had not erred against the rules
of the church, and that he retained the
faculties allowing him to practice his
priestly functions.
The opinion of Rev. Humphrey Wrenn
as given to The Spy reporter is: This
man is certainly not a priest in good
standing, for if he was he would not at
tempt to say mass here without per-
mission"
Investigation that was as rigid as
possible was made by the French peo-
pies representatives, and they re-
eeived convincing proof to them that
FIR. Berger's documents were all right
in every way, that he is exactly what
he claims to be, nothing more. nothing
less, and that his standing in the Cath
Ollie church of Rome could not be better
than it is. If there is flaw or blur, it
cannot be found, and these things are
easily traced when they exist. but
counter to the claims of the French
people it is urged that FIR. Berger loses
his standing when he comes here in de-
fiance of Pope Leo and Bishop Beaver
The French people have received as
suranees of the strongest nature that
FIR. Berger is a full-fedged Catholic
priest. He has in his possession a
document of recommendation from the
bishop of Cleveland, o., and has a good
record in Toledo where he was sta
toned for some time as an assistant
The stand he takes is indeed unique
one and the question is one for bishops
to decide, and it is likely that Pope
Leo himself will be called on to state
whether the Rev. John Berger has any
right to pose as a Roman Catholic
priest and do priestly work in North
Brookfield. His stand is that he is no
obstacle, and that he is doing nothing
detrimental to his religion nor to
Bishop Beaver. That he is perfectly
willing to give way if the bishop APP
| points a priest here for the French
| people. even though he should remain
| here and assist in building a church.
1t is question of jurisdiction, and
| Rev. John Berger, whose reputation in
| the west is that of clever man, thinks
| that he sees a slip in the rulings of the
| church of which he can take advantage
| without fear Of punishment. If Bishop
| Beaver takes action against him, it is
| his intention to carry the case to Pope
| Leo for settlement. Another point he
| makes Is that he is as much pastor of
| the people in this town as the priests in
| other towns where a very few of the
| seeessionists are accstomed to attend
mass
Tonight the French people held
| meeting az Depot hall FOR the purpose
of discussing plans for the church
which, they say, they are determined
| to erect, They also discussed The
Spy's report of Sundays proceedings.
stamping IL as detrimental to their
Lot, ~