The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-20
The Church and the Clergy.

1t is proper that we should give promi-
nent consideration to this letter, which
comes to us from correspondent in
Brooklyn:
str: Much has been published In your incom-
parable paper on religious topics. dosmatlc and
otherwise. and therefore venture to srespass on
your space a little. 10 Give expression 70 Views on
the subject that appeal to me strongly.
Among the many divisions OF Christendom
select the Latin Church as the subject Of my crit
lcls. feeling that II there is any ruth In REVEALED
religion and dogmAtic theology, II should be found
In that org ton being the oldest and largest
Of the Churches. Setting aside all questions OF
belief doctrine &C., let Us consider how far this
Church lives up to the teachings OF JESUS CHRIST.
CHANGING through history We behold gllttering
procession Of popes. Cardinals. prslates and
Churchmen Of high and low degree. leaving behind
them an atmosphere rodolent sometimes OF sanctity.
but more often the contrary. For one PoRRoMRo
We SEQ nifty RIcRRLIEUs and for one VINCENT DE
PAUL hundred ToRousMApAs. Standing in the
place OF the meek and humble CHRIST. behold the
Supreme PontifI, clothed In the papoply Of Mammon
surrounded With ali the luxuros that art and nature
can furnish. envroned by an obsequious etiquette.
preaching to the world Papal infallblty. Radlat.
ing from him behold the Cardinals, Archbishops
Bishops and Monslgnorl clothed In purple and hnc
liuen, well housed and fed. wanting for nothing.
Following We see tho lower clergy, all comfortably
enscouccd In paroehial residences or monasteries
living In ease and comfort.
Look over the United States and see hundreds
OF priests living In idlcness SIX days out Of seven
making no effort to look after their docks. Avarice
bigotry, dbcourtcsy. lariuess and Indifference are
largely the characteristics OF the clergy to-day
They display little or no human sympathy.
See on every hand the misery and wretch edness
In the power OF these men 10 relieve Instead. they
are engaged In building costly temples and splendid
residences, buying expensive vestmcnts and church
ornaments, &c. when much OF the money thus
lavishly expended might have gone 10 relieve the
necessities OF the poor. During the plague of
Milan. CHARLEs BoRRoMEo did not hesitate to sell
the sacred vessels OF the Church to relieve the suf
ferngs OF his people Is there another like him in
the Church today
This letter Is not penned In the spirit OF carplng
cr,ctsm. for have hoped 70 better spirit arise
among the Clergy but as time goes this realization
concomitants Of selnshness and greed. prevails"
The criticisms OF this letter are directed
against the Roman Catholic Church and
its hierarchy, but il they have any justifi-
cation their oensure is applicable to all
organized Christianity.
II our correspondent will follow the
history of Christianity in Europe from
! the time it first gathered strength to
assert itself with physical force he will
read record Of war, persecution, atrocity
and fierce human passions inflamed by
religious enthusiasm which is not ex-
ceeded if it is equalled in it's darkness in
the history Of any previous religious
propaganda Of which we have the
record.
His description Of the outward luxury
surrounding potentates and priests OF
the Church applies to all Churches and
not to one only. Behold" he cries,
, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and
Monsignori clothed in purple and fine
linen, well housed and fed, wanting for
nothing" Behold, he might say. clergy
OF all Churches in like circumstances OF
physical comfort; yet the great mass OF
The priests Of the Roman Catholic Church
and of the clergy Of all Churches are
poorer than even day laborers. Recently
. really heart-rending report ON clerical
poverty Wa presented to the Cantor
#, bury Convocation OF the Church oil