The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-08-04
ROMAN CATHOLICS IN CHINA
AGREEMENT BETWEEN IMPERIAL
GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH.
Exact Terms by Which Prelates Are
Able 20 Deal Personally
With officials.

Here are the exact terms CT tn;
agreement entered into between the
! Chinese Government at Picking aud the
! papal Secretary of State, Cardinal Ram
polla del Tindaro, acting through the
vicar apostolic Of Picking Mg. Ia
! yier:
The imperial government, having
for long time authorized the propl-
/ cation of the Catholic religion, and
! Catholic churches having in conse-
/ quence been established in all the
/ provinces of China, We are desirous TO
| see our people and Christians I've in
| harmony To insure reader protec-
ton it has been agreed that the local
authorities shall exchange visits with
missionaries according TO the condi-
tons specified in the following a.
| ticles:
"First-In the ecclesiastical hier-
archy bishops shall be entitled 20 the
same rank and dignity as viceco,s ard
governors, and shall be privileged 10
interview yiceroys and governors.
In case a bishop is called away Or
dies the priest in charge shall De pri-
vileged to interview yiceroys and SOW
ernors. Wears general and archDriesjs
shall be privileged TO interview treas
urers and judges as well as inteudants.
Other priests shall be privileged to In
terview projects of the first and second
class, projects independent, sUb-pra-
fects and other functionaries, all of
whom shall return courtesies. accord
ing to rank.
10 TT
of the priests appointed to take charge
of affairs and interview the authori-
ties, giving names and locations of mis-
sions This list shall be sent TO the
viceroy or governor, who will direct
under-officials to receive them Accord
ing to this regulation.
Priests requesting an interview, CT
those especially appointed to take
charge of affairs. should be Europeans.
If, however, a European priest be not
conversant with the language of China
he may be accompanied by a Chinese
priest acting as an interpreter.
"Third-It would be useless for
bishops living away from cities TO visit
the provincial capital for the purpose
of being received by the viceroy or the
governor If they have no business in
hand. At the installation of a new
yiceroy or governor, upon the arrival
of a new bishop, or upon any occa-
sion of ceremony, as New Years day
and the principal feasts, bishops shall
be privileged to write private letters 10
the viceroys and governors. at the same
time inclosing their cards Viceroys
and governors shall return the cour-
tesy. Before leaving or upon their
arrival other priests shall, provided
they have a letter from their bishop,
be privileged to interview, etc, accord
ing TO their rank.
If any grave or important matter
concerning any mission in any prov
ince should arise the bishop and mis-
sionaries in office shall appeal TO the
minister or members of the council
which the Pope has appointed as a re-
ligious protectorate, the latter shall
have the right of deciding, together
with the Tsung-li-Yamen, or the local
authorities. If a mandarin is consulted
on an official question by either a
bishop or missionary he must give
the matter immediate and polite az
tention and institute an investigation.
AS occasions arise the local au
thorities shall counsel the people. ex-
hOTting them TO unite with the Chris
tianS. They shall never encourage hat
red or countenanee dissensiOn. Bish
OPS and priests shall likewise sxhoTt
all Christians 10 strive earnestly TO-
ward maintaining the good repute Of
the Catholic religion, so that the peo-
h., ~ fa-
In any suit between the people and the
Christians the local authorities shall
Judge and rule with equity. that he
people and the Christians may live n
peace. Missionaries shall neither inter
fere nor give their protection with par
TALLY"
The purpose Of the eoncordat was to
give Catholic pTelates official stand
ing. TO enable them TO overcome curl
Gus Chinese etiquette and 70 deal per
sonaIly with officials rather than, as
in the past, With the consuls Il vas
a step in the direction OF good govern
ment and not of necessity a religious
propaganda
The Roman Catholic Church has no
missionaries from America in China.
Almost all of its missionaries there
are from France. few from Italy an
Belgium and s very few from HOLLAND.
All are members OF orders, since IL
is found thar orders can act as mis-
sionary societies. raise funds and main
tain discipline far better than could
the Propaganda Eide acting direct and
dealing with seculars. The latest r;z-
ures from the NiSsiores Cathoiicae. -
sued BY the Propaganda Eide az Rome
and covering the Chinese Empire, are
nearly twenty months old They es-i-
nate the population of all China 10
be AS, l55, 600. giving their figures by
districts. and give the Catholic popula-
-. a. go s.S-NsE YnrE SIM