Evening star., 1899-03-10
IRELAND STATES HIS CASE
Archbishop of St Paul Explains His Atti-
tude on Heckerism.
Not Opposed to Religious Orders, but
They Must Not EncrOach on
Secular Clergy.

The Rome correspondent of the London
| Daily Chronicle telegraphs the substance
of an interview he has had with Arch
| bishop Ireland, in which the latter explains
his attitude toward "Heckerlsm," and his
course during the Spanish-American war.
He says:
Archbishop Ireland expressed reluctance
to enter upon discussion of delicate ques-
tions. which, as he observed, only time can
clear UP, but he said he accepted this op-
pcrtunity to dispel wrong views and 10 give
in nutshell the maxims considered essen
tial to the human working of the church.
The archbishop then proceeded in this wise
Let me begin by disconnecting the new
word "Heckerism." knew Father Hecker
we'll, and. like other great minds, he had
views peculiar to himself. One of these
was the direct inspiration of the Holy
Ghost. This apparently daring doctrine
meant little more than that godly help is
not wanting to those displaying initiative.
l frequently told him he was ambiguous
and would be misunderstood, and this has
happened
Archbishop Ireland, proceeding to ex-
plain the Importance attached to the nat
ural virtues, said:
Not Inimical to Religious Orders.
1--WE maintain especially regarding the
clergy that temperance and truthfulness,
for instance, are so necessary that they
cannot be replaced by any purely DEVOTION
al fidelity. An Incorporate priest sterilzes
his mission. A priest who stretches per-
sonal casuistry 20 prevaricatiOn and mental
reserve only iustifes the enemies of the
church in affirmations which, though false
are heard far and wide
Tine archbishop then warmly protested
against what he described as the ground
less charge that he is inimical to the re-
ligiOus orders. He said he believed there
was no nobler ideal conceivable than the
monastic vows. but he objected to parochial
or educational encroachments of regular
clergy Chose identified with religious orders
or bound by monasttc vows upon the 'secu-
lar clergy Chose not so identified or
boundI. The episcopacy and its sub
hierarchy We're. he said, the real foundation
of ecclesiastical work.
referring to the attempts the Jesuits
had made in the United States to prevent
the establishment of the Catholic Univer-
sity at Washington. he said:
They wanted it themselves, but the
pope pointediy warned me not to allow
the American bishops to be caught in their
tolls. My views on this subject are identical
With the late Cardinal Mannings. To in
sinuate that Americanism means the trans
ference of the religious orders to the melt
ing pot is caiu,nny. They have produced
countless saints and have their own exalt-
ed mission. but American Catholicism re-
quires priesthood deeply imbued with nat
ural and civic virtues
Remembered Only His Citizenship
with reference to the war Archbishop
Ireland said:
Before it broke out was pro-Spanish
but when hostilities commenced 1 forgot
everything except that L was an American
citizen. anointed to love and to serve my
country
He could say nothing regarding the dis
armament congress. He might be one of
two representatives, or there might be an
other and higher solution. Il am at the
double service, he remarked, of my spir-
itual office and temporal citizenship
1t would be impossible to reproduce the
flowing. sparkling French of the iilustrous
churchman whose elevation to the cardi-
nalate has only been adjourned by the
popc's illness.
The Rome correspondent of the Morning
Post says:
Since the recovery of the pope the ques-
tion of 'Americanism is being eagerly re-
discussed. The pope's letter to Cardinal
and Cardinal Camille Mazzella (prefect of
the Congregation of Sacred Rights, both of
whom are strong enemies of Cardinal Glib
bOns and Archbishop Ireland, and the let
ter was an absolute condemnation in the
original of all American tendencies
Tho pope and Cardinal Rampolla fpapal
secretary of state) cut expurgated and
added to the draft, until it was unrecog-
niZable by the authors Neither side is
mains with the Americans. and it is said
the red hat will be bestowed upon Archbish-
op Ireland as a mark of the popes aD-
proVal."