The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-29
rHE TNIrED GREEK CATHOLICS.
Legal Decision In Pennsylvania Aniia TIM
Them with the Roman Catholics.

4 decision OF Importance TO Greek Cntho-
lies as well a. 10 Roman Catholics in this coun-
try was handed down on April - by the SUI
prsme Court Ot Pennsylvania In the cn.e Of the
United Crock Catholic Church against the
Orthodox Greek Catholic Church. The case.
which was frst tried n The courts ~ luzerne
county and then appealed, was primarily moth
ing but m ownership dispute concerning the
Greek Catholic Church OF North Wilkes Barre
Pa Indirectly II involved the question whether
the [ n.tad Greek churches Of America owed
allegiance 10 the Roman Catholic Church or
10 the Orthodox Greek Church.
The nited Greek Church IL the genera.
name applied 10 those Eastern churches which
Subsequent 10 the breach between CONSTANT
nopia and Rome and the establishment OF A
separate Oriental Catholic Church, decided
10 acknowledge the spiritual supremacy Of
the Pope AZ Rome In 40 doing they obtained
certain CONCESSIONS Most important OF these
were the right Of their clergy to marry before
being ordaI ned 10 the deaconshIp and the rA-
tantono OF the PRINCIPAL rites 81 the Or'ho .ov
Greek Church. There are at present several.
millions u United Greek Carhoncs spread
throughout Bohemia, GaI'Ia, ltungaria. kou-
mania. Bulgaria ant lta.y. They are ruled
by ArChblShOIS and Bishops apI Olntad from
Rome and are recognized A, members Of the
Roman Catholic church. The argr lmmlgra-
ton from these countries has. OF course, brought
many [ nlied Greek tathOliCs 70 the ulted
States, whore they have formed numerous
congregations under their own prlest~, The
latter, A majority Of whom are married. have
not been recognized by tho Amer. Gun Bishops
OF the Roman Catholic Church and have not
desired 10 be recognized by the Orthodox
GrHek thurch General confusion has been
or being ruled nv rs PRIESTS independent Of
higher spiritual authorities
The priests were the chief sufferers because
they had 10 one 10 back them IN r2,ssib," con-
''lCts with the congregations. II was no
torlously difficult for them to obtain the nece~-
sary contributions from the members OF their
congregations. The Rev Alexis loft. a priest
or higher standing than many Of his colleagues,
became pastor Of the nlted Greek Churcn al
Wilkes Barre several wears ago and soon had
occasion 10 regret the iavless conditions er-
istlng within the churches Of that rite. FAIL
ing to obtain anv recognition from the Roman
Catholic church. he proposed 10 his Congre-
cation that they should submit 10 the authority
Of Bishop Nicholas, the Russian preiate in
The congregation consented without grasp
Ing tho true significance or the uroI Osed s'ep.
service was arranged at which Bishop Nicholas
himself Oflcated. 4 stormy period ensusd,
the pastor and the trustees being opposed
BY an overwhelming majority Of the CON
gTagatIOn. 4 lawsuit was the natural out
come Of il. and Il was fought with bitterness
through the courts In al Instances.
The decision of the SGpreme Court was that
a. a majority of thp church members are I nited
Creek Catholics, and thus subordinate 10 the
jurisdiction Of The Roman Catholic Church.
the turning over ~ The church prorerty 10
Bishop Nicholas was illegal and void. The
Court also decided that the Rev, Mr. loft.
who had become A Russian priest, would have
70 cave. The United Greek Church Of Wilkes
Barre will for the future form a part Of the
diocese Of scranton. Not long before this the
Roman Catholic Blshors Of America received
an order from Rome 70 recognize the priest
OF the United Greek Church.