The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-01
POPE AND AMERICANISM
Archbishop Corrlean's Letter Is Meeting
with Criticism.
NOT IN HARMONY With OTHER PRELATES.
At One Time He Endorsed Father
Hecker's Teachings, but subse-
auentIy Regulated Them.

New York, May Ia special to the
World from Washington says: The text
of the letter from Archbishop Corrigan OF
New York, addressed to the pope in reply
to the papal brief on "Americanism,
reached this city few days ago. Its
Catholic circles. II shows that the arch
bishop alone of the entire American
hierarchery Endorses in full the papal
brief.
Cardinal Gibbons, in his reply to the
papal admonition, repudiated certain doc
trines and said he was not aware that
such teachings passed current as Catho-
lie doctrine. Archblshops ireland and
Keane said practically the same thing, as
did a number of other prelates. EVEN
such leaders of the German party as Arcn-
bishop Katzer of Milwaukee and Bishop
Hortsmann OF Cleveland solemnly protest.
ed to the pope that the errors which he
bad designated as "Americanism" had no
place in the American Catholic church
Catholics here think that the New York
! prelate did another remarkable thing In
signing the letter In the name of all the
suifragan bishops of New York province.
| According to the usual etiquette each
| bishop has the right to reply to the pope
in his own name. 1t is known here that
OF least four of the suIfragan bishops do
not endorse the sentiments OF their arch
! bishops letter.
Another matter which causes comment
is the recollection Of the fact that Arch
bishop Corrigan gave the mprateur or &c
clesisatical sanction 10 the book on Father
Heoker's life, which is the primary cause
OF the present disturbance.
The church men say 1t is supposed that
when a prelate formally Endorses a publi-
cation he stands sponsor for its soundness
They are therefore surprised that Arch
bishop Corrgsn should now refuse to de-
fend the doctrine which his previous ac-
ton caused to be spread broadcast amonl
American Catholics
The text Of the archbishop's letter ls II
part as follows:
Most Holy Father: We can not-c%-
press in words the feelings OF admiration
Of JOY and OF gratitude with which oul
heart has been penetrated towards your
holiness in reading the mastery and Cd
m.rable letter which you have deigned tC
address TO us on what, for some time
past, has been designated under the nam'
CT 'Americanism' II is with the creates
wisdom that your holiness has united int,
one group the many and fallacious error
WHICH WOulu IKE 10 pass luT SOpu bdl uull'
teaching under the spurious title o.
'Americanism.
I'VE receive, then, and accept for our
selves, our clergy. and for the communi
ties and for congregations which with III
work for the salvation Of souls, as we'll a!
Tor all faithful. your holiness doctrlna
letter testem benevoleutae We accept I
ard make 1t our own, word for word unc
sentence for sentence.
In its regard we shall never make no
shall we ever permit that others depend
ing from u.s. either directly or INDIRECTLY
should make any reservation or tergiver
sation. Your holiness has spoken; w
question Is, therefore, ended.
We can say also that the>Srfonster
which, in order 10 obtain a,Aasting abode
to acquire the rights OF citizenship amon
, us, assumed to itself the fair name o
, Americansm, has on it's first appearance
been struck down dead. But 1t is to yo
the glory OF this happy result Is due. |
your holiness had not opportunity come L
t our aid with your admirable letter, no,
numerous might have been those who
through ignorance rather than through
I malice would have been caught in tn
tran.
"And now, with our heads high we ca
repeat that we are Americans as truly a
any one, whoever he may be, Yes, "
are, and we glory In it,