Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-16
INTERVIEW.

The following interview with Catho-
lie gentleman, well-known and esteemed
in this city, will probably be interesting
to those who are interested in church
matters.
81 do not think that very many
American Catholics will agree with
Archbishop Ireland in the views ex-
pressed by him with reference to religious
matters in the Philippines. do not
wish to criticise his remarks because Of
my respect for the sacred office ehOlds,
out | feel sure that they will greatly di-
ninish his influence, not, of course, with
The administration, but with Catholics
ger orally.
at may be well to explain to your
rea( ers what the irresponsible societies,
Of vhich he speaks, are. They are not,
proI erly speaking, Catholic societies, for
these are organized for the purpose
Of promoting the spiritual welfare OF
tleir members and others, and in
many cases (such as that of the great So
ciety of st. Vincent of Paul. Of doing 50
by relieving the distfesses of their fellow
men of any religion, or no religion.
They have the official appreciation of the
church. Then there are besides, es-
pecially in this country, many societies
comprised of Catholics only which have
a variety of objects; some the promotion
of total abstinence from intoxicating
drinks, Others aid in sickness; still
others life insurance, and others again,
social union. These have not the spec
ill appreciation of the Pope, but, by
their own laws, their members must
comply with the law of the Church as
10 communion at Easter, if not more fire.
quently, and their chaplans see that in
their forms and ceremonies, if they have
any, nothing Is taught, directly or indi-
rectly, which is not in accordance with
Catholic faith and morals. Societies Of
this latter class it is which form, through
their representatives, the Federation OF
Catholic Societies. This is in no sense
political organization. Its purpose *
to ascertain the exact truth ofcOmplaints
made by individual Catholics as to in
vasion oftheir rights in religious mat
tiers, or public wrongs done TO the church
in cOntrayention Of its right to perfect
equality with other denominations under
the constitution of the United States and
of the several States After having OBJ
tanned the evidence of wrong, their next
step is to lay it before the proper
to have it righted. Then, if
justice is refused, the facts are to be pub
lished and an appeal made to all fair
minded people to see that it is done A
very large majority of American Catho-
lies are not satisfied with the manner
in which their co-religionists in the Phil
ippines are being treated by the present
and whilst they are, of
course, perfectly satisfied to leave to the
Pope, as his peculiar province as visible
head of the church. the settlement Of
matters of religion there, as well as every /
where else, they do not want demands to
be made upon him which they believe
to be unjust and with which, of course,
he cannot comply This has been done
(if we may believe uncontradicted state /
ments) in the instructions given to Gov.
Taft to demand the wholesale expulsion
of thousands of friars upon the unproven
charge that they are bad mea and hos
tile 70 American rule Archbishop Ire
land says truly that the Catholic body /
will never prosper in America unless it /
be thoroughly Undue with the spirit OF |
the country and deep love for its wei /
fare, but the administration is not the 1
country, nor is its welfare promoted by |
!