Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-28
THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY.
Father vattmann's Report on Philip
pine Question.

most important actions taken by the
American hierarchy of the Roman
Catholic church for some years was
begun today, following the report on
the Philippine question by the Rev.
Edward ]. Vattmann, senior Catholic
chaplain of the United States army.
| The archbishops of the hierarchy
commissioned Father Vattmann to
carry his report to Rome Immediately,
and in the name of the church in this
country to lay the result of his in
vestigations before the subcommittee
| of the Congregation of Extraordinary
Affairs. who have the Philippine matter
| in hand. Father Vattmann not only
goes to Rome commissioned by the
church. but it is said on good authority
| that he is also the emissary of the
President in this matter. He obtained
leave of absence from the War Depart
ment today and before his departure
conferred with Secretary Root.
Father Vattmann's report covered
the friar question, the reported out
RACES and dealt at length on the
Aglipay trouble and is the official re-
port on this subject. Father Vattmann
declared that the Aglipay party is
growing rapidly in strength and power
and is force which must Immediately
be reckoned with. He showed how it's
| influence was directed against both the
| Roman Church and the Philippine gov
| eminent
| In relating the history of the Agllpay
party he said that at the opening of
hQstilities in the Philippines Aglipay
was a native priest. He joined the in
| surgent forces, but later deserted and
appealed to the American forces for ana
and protection. Subsequently Aglipay
was silenced by the church authorities
on ecclesiastical grounds.
| After this he organized a church OF
his own and called Ut the Philippine
| Catholic church. He consecrated him.
self bishop, ordained some native semi
narians to the priesthood and soon OBJ
tanned a large native following.
He declared that Americanism meant
Professionalism, and, while not causing
open rebellion, he instilled a spirit en-
| tirely foreign to submission to Amerl-
can rule. Taking advantage of the ig-
norance of the natives concerning the
authority of the Pope, he declared him.
self their bishop and ruler. The
1 chaotic conditions and the departure
of the Spanish bishops and many of the
frlars left Aglipay clear field in which
| to WOrl-.
Father Vattmann says Aglipay's fol-
lowing is enormous, and, as at present
there are not by at least a thousand
enough priests to minister to the
spiritual wants of the native, Aglipay
is creating so-called priests and max
| ing converts at dangerous rate.
There were only 500 of the friars left in
the Philippines and only 700 priests, all
told, to minister to the over 100000
| Catholics registered in the islands.
Father Vattmann advises the appoint
ment of American bishops and Ameri-
can clergy ito the Philippines in order
| to prove to the natives that the United
States is not a Protestant country.
| He believes the Aglipay movement is
not only full of danger to the church,
| but to the state as well.
This subject was under discussion
during the entire session, and the other
business which had been placed on the
program for today was abandoned. pro-
longing the council another day. 1t
was said that an effort would be made
to provide as many American priests
as possible for this work, but that
there were not enough priests now to
Inject the obligations of the clergy in
this country. 1t was proposed that a
large number of the French priests and
nuns expelled from their native coun-
| try be brought here to assist in the
work, which would be crippled by the
transfer of the American clergy to the
new possessions. This suggestion was
not heartily Endorsed, however and the
matter of disposing of the French exiles
has not yet been agreed upon.
| The Rev Father John A. Zahm Pro-
vincial of the Holy Cross order in this
country, whose congregation is one of
the largest in France. arrived at the
university today and privately dis
cussed the subject of providing for his
followers in this country. DIR. Zahm
has asked no financial aid from the
Iarchbishops, but merely requested per-
mission to establish his order in the
different dioceses.
| Father Nattmann will leave WASH
ington tonight and go Immediately to
Chicago. The first part of next week
he will start for Rome, and it is said
he will remain there comforting with
the Cardinals until the first of June.
The sub committee of the Congrega-
ltion of Extraordinary Affairs. to which
he will make his report, is composed OF
five Cardinals, with Cardinal Rampolla
as the head. This is the body deputed
to meet the Taft Commission. In his
report to the archbishops Father Watt