The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-14
Clergy Interested in Statement Of
the Reverend William O'Brien
Pardow of New York.
WOULD CARRY OUT HIS PLAN.
Bishop futile Declares Separa-
tons Are Too Easy to Secure
in Many States and
Should Be Changed.

The statement of the Reverend William
oBrien Pardow. president Of St Francis
Xavier's College in New York. that 10000
divorces have been granted in the United
States within the last twenty years. and
that the ministers of various religious de-
nominations should unite> in an effort to
abate the evil, has created much interest
among the clergy in ST. Louis.
While no effort has been made toward the
formation Of a local union on the lines sug-
gested by Father Pardow. st. Louis minis
tiers have found interest in the subject,
which was placed before them several
weeks ago by the national officers Of the
Episcopal Church.
The Episcopal Church in America is the
author of plan to have a conference Of
ministers of all religious denominations In
the United States. with view OF discuss
ing the subject OF marriage and divorce and
deciding upon common ground upon
which all religious followers can stand.
1t is admitted that all churchmen, no
matter what their creed, are opposed to the
evil Of divorce The Roman Catholic Church
does not sanction the divorce and refuses
to marry person who has been divorced.
The Episcopal Church will sanction a d.
glound.
The divorce rules Of the other churches
are not enforced rgidly. but the Presbyte-
dlan ana some other churches believe that
divorces should be granted on the ground
OF absolute and incurable desertion," as
well as the scriptural ground
Easy methods OF divorce constitute the
SN winch the Christian element must COM
PAT said Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle of the
Episcopal diocese.
Divorces are too easy to secure in most
states and therein lies the great evil. we
should make fight for better laws, and the
only way To make thar fight. In my opinion.
IS 80! 70 arouse rouse the public to sense of duty.
IN south Carolina there is no divorce
law On no grounds whatever can a mar
ried couple gain legal separation in that
s Srare IN New York. think. a divorce is
think the New York law Is a good one, per-
h haps peter than no law at all, as they
churches unite in this PROJECT law Similar
70 TINS can be passed IN nearly every State
70 RID the country Of the divorce evil, and
wholesome legislation can only be gained
after after the people have first been convinced
tnat easy divorces are bad. and that the
welfare of society demands their abate-
VIEWS OF BISHOP GLENNoN.
Bishop j. j. Glennon said:
TIE attitude Of the Roman Catholic
cu oii tue question OF divorce Is too
well known to require discussion. The
Catholic Church is radically opposed to d.
vorces. always has been and ever will be.
Marriage is the foundation upon which So
eiety rests. and divorce. as 1t is practiead in
the United States. is an attack on the sta
bilitv of our morals. go
The Catholic Church. being a civic factor
VIII gladly cooperate with other organiza.
lions IN an effort to improve legislation in
the matter of granting divorces. The svs.
tenn In many States is bad. and a remedy
III there were no divorce laws nerson.
would have better appreciation Of mar.
rage. and would think twice before thew
entered into the bonds of matrimony.
In 200 many instances matrimonv q,
looked upon as a trifling. unimportant mat.
The Reverend John F. Cannon. nasto- =,
the Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church
thinks that the conference suggested nv tho
episcopal bodies should be held and fhinIs
that IN meeting of this kind rests the
solution OF the divorce problem from The
church standpoint tAi Tie
We should discuss the subject from al,
viewpoints" said the Reverend Mr. ram.
non. and then decide upon a common
ground. With the churches united as ~
their opinions of divorce an Intelligent CON.
test could be waged before the State ler,s.
latures. and without doubt the divorce laws
now SO obnoxious. could be repealed"
T.