The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-08-10
4 REnARKABLR LITTER

A REnA1KABLK LITTER
Wstttsa byl Nea-catAslle y ~ 1say
FatAss.
A very significant letter from prom
inent citizen who ia not member Of
the Catholic church to the Holy Father
in Rome was printed recently in the
New York Sun.
The writer's name Is withheld, but
from some illusions that are made in
the letter he is evidently one who has
been closely associated with affairs in
the Protestant church, and has watch.
ed with anxious eyes the disintegrat-
ing process that has gone on among
non-C Catholic bodies, and has finally
made up his mind that Professionalism
is an unseaworthy craft. He is evil
IDENTITY apprehensive that in the next
storm that comes it will not be able to
hold together, and that the sooner he
gets to a place Of safety, the better
for himself.
He speaks Of feeling Of antagon-
ism between the pope and America. It
is difficult to know what he refers to,
but they who are thoroughly acquaint-
ed with the history Of the church do
not know Of any such antagonism.
The Holy Father has frequently gone
out Of his way to express his good
opinion Of America. 1t is well known
to all that not only is there no an
tagonism between the Catholic church
and American institutions, but it Is un-
der the shadow Of these institutions
that the church has received its great
est expansion. However, we give the
letter in full as it appeared in the New
York Sun:
To the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII,
Rome. Italy.
Most Reverend and Holy Father: I
take the liberty Of addressing you be-
cause l am much interested in the
success and growth of the Roman
Catholic church in the United States,
for the following reasons:
First. That the Catholic church
trains its young in way to secure
good citizenship, respect for prop
erty rights and the rights of others.
Second. Because of the firm faith
of the Catholic church in God, Christ,
the Holy Bible and firm acceptance
of the religion of the Savior, without
which civilization must eventually dis
appear.
believe it is almost necessary for
the future of my country that the
Catholic church should grow and be
a strong power here. The Protestant
church in the United States is fast
drifting into infidelity. In many of
the great theological seminaries of that
church open disbelief in some partsgof
the Bible is taught. Thousands of
ministers Of the Protestant denomina-
lions are men who believe that certain
parts and books Of the Bible need not
be accepted. Their position and work
have fastened the growth of disbelief
in all religion.
Because Of my position before the
public I feel that may be forgiven by
you for writing you this letter. Many
thousands Of the strongest men in the
United States, made apprehensive by
the spread of socialism, are turning
their eyes toward the church of which
you are the revered head. The great
est banker in the world, and one of
the greatest men of our country, told
me very recently that he believed the
Roman Catholic church was neces-
sity for the preservation of our So
ciety.
have talked with very large mum.
Der of our ablest and best men who
believe rs he does on that question,
but there is feeling among the masses
of our people that the great authorities
of the Roman Catholic church have
feelings of antagonism against the
United States of America. If this feel
ing could be removed believe the next
ten years would see very large
movement Of our best people into your
church. There are at least 100000
Catholics in the United States. The
church buildings and edifces are
among the finest here. The attendance
at church on Sundays is very great;
nearly as many men as women are at
religious services The Catholic schools
taught last year 1853, 900 scholars, at a
cost Of at least 4O,OOO,OOO francs. The
other expenses of the Roman Catholic
church here must have been Mt a very
low estimate 6O,OOO,OOO francs more,
making total Of 100000, 900 francs
which the Roman Catholics of the
United STAGES paid for the support of
their religion last year without any
state aid whatever.
When our people see this sort of de.
votion to faith and see Roman Catho.
lie men in such large numbers attend.
ing church services on Sunday and
then look about to see what Roman
Catholics of the United States receive
from the great Head of the Church in
return they think that Roman Catho
lies in the United States are not en-
couraged In such a way as they should
be by the authorities in Rome and tint