The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1899-01-13
RELAND'S VISIT 70 ROME.
BE Will Give His Attention to Many
Matters While on His Visit
to Europe.
THE CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

The Character Of the Philippine Priests
Giving the American Hierarchy More
Concern, 1t Is Said, Than Disposition of
Church Property-NeHrIy all FrIars, and
Accumulate Riches Rapidly.
New York, Jan. "a special to the
Herald from Washington, says: The
Herald correspondent is able, through
the courtesy of 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 Ire
lands visit to Rome, which he is soon
to pay.
NO CALL FROM THE POPE.
This clergyman said: There are so
many matters to which Archbishop
Ireland viii give his personal atten-
tiOn while in Europe that it is hard to
specify any particular cause for his
visit. There has been, I am convinced.
no call from the pope to visit Rome,
certainly not to answer any charges
or to explain anything in connection
with the course of the church i'm this
country during recent years. Mgr.
Ireland's visit is voluntary. and, ] un-
derstand. principally in relation to the
changed conditions which will con-
front the churches in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the Philippines.
MUST BE MANY CHANGES.
'As every one realizes there must be
many changes i'm the management of
the church in these islands. and in the
relationship hitherto existing between
the church and government, and be-
tween the church and people. The
peace treaty provides for the free ex-
ercisc of religion in the islands. and a
guarantee that the property which ba-
longs to the church shall not be taken
from it.
CHARACTER OF THE PRIESTS.
There is, however. a vast quantity
of property, especially in the Philip
pines, 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 TIN
United States. If the islands are to bg
held by the United States. as is now
almost certain. it is to be expected
that they will he placed under the
hierarchy of TIE United States +
PRIESTS STILL INFLUENTIAL
"The government will not look with |
favor on the proposition to allow the |
Spanish priests to remain in power !
and office in these islands. While they |
are cordially disliked and even hated |
by n large body of (he natives, they |
are stiI very influential, and their |
presence there would be n constant |
menace to the interests of this coun
try, and hiudrance to the work of
Americaniziug the islands.
FROM AMERICAN |
PRIESTS.
1.-TWO priests accompanied Gen.
Merritt when he sailed for the Philip !
pines. and they spent some time in
and other islands. One of |
them expressed himself in vigorous
terms as to the habits and character |
Of the Philippine priesthood. They
ere totally different from the priests |
of this country. The priests are al
most all friars, being members of |
powerful religious organizations.
WEALTH RAPIDLY.
"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 that had been left |
behind by the original owners who
fed to escape punishment by the
rebels. These lands the church holds
On a tentative title, and it is expected
It will he compelled to surrender a
large quantity of it either to the gov
ernment of the United States or to the
original owners or their heirs.
THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
During the period of transition
from the Spanish priesthood to the
american priesthood, Archbishop Ire
ands presence in Rome will be of the
greatest value, both to the church and
he government. This | believe is the
principal reason for this trip, 10 pre-
sent the case of America and the
american churches TO the pope and to
,xpIain many steps which the govern
nent will take in regard to the church
n these islands.