Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-24

The three Roman Catholic priests in
this city have received official notice
from Bishop Cosgrove of Davenport
to take collection for the Roman
Catholic university on the first Sunday
in Advent, November 20, 1903. Sim
liar notices have been sent out by the
other bishops all over the United
States to the faithful of their dioceses
The following is a copy of the letter
prepared and sent out by Cardinal
Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore
to Bishop Henry c. Cosgrove of Dav
export which is similar to the one re
ceived by the local priests.
The Letter.
Archdiocese of Baltimore, Nov. TO-
1903-My Dear Father: At a meeting
of the archbishops in Washington, not
many months ago, the decision was
unanimously adopted to appeal to all
the faithful in the United States on
the first Sunday in Advent, Nov. 20,
1903, for funds to carry on success
fully the noble enterprise of higher
education through the great univer-
sity at Washington. Those archbish-
heartily indorse the project of their
fellow prelates. The wisdom of their
action cannot be questioned. Men
of large experience, keenly alive to
the country's needs, fully appreciat-
ing it's progress in all other directions,
they feel compelled to urge equal adj
vancement in the intellectual and re-
ligious development Of both clergy and
laity. The judgment of these men,
who are the divinely appointed leaders
of Christs flock should, and certainly
will be accepted without demur by the
faithful at large.
Wish of the Pope.
But a more authoritative voice has
spoken. The decision of the archbish-
ops has been accepted, approved and
emphasized by the decision of the
holy see. His holiness, Plus x, has
written to me, as chancellor of the
university, and through me to all the
bishops OF the United States. express
ing his fullest sympathy with the con-
templated movement, eShorting the
faithful to respond generously to the
appeal, and promising the apostolic
benediction to all who cooperate in
the larger and fuller endowment OF
this university. And who comprehends
more fully than he the benefits the
Catholic church must derive from a
university we'll equipped and amply
endowed?
The sovereign pontiff, in every age
OF the church. has always held uni
versities to be a most potent factor in
the spread and preservation OF
Christ's kingdom upon earth. Hence ii
was that the early history of the uni
versities sis marked by the special ia
vors and privileges conferred by the
popes on all university students and
by the rich legacies and foundations
made to those high seats of learning
by both clergy and laity. In a word
the church has ever realized that the
university is a great Intellectual force
for clergy and laity, for the clergy
since it adoFnS them with all the cul-
ture of their age. and thereby makes
them slSillf0l in meeting the objections
of adversaries of the faith; for the
laity since Il offers them the best adj
vantages for the most scientific train
ing. 1t was then in keeping with the
most venerable traditions that the
church established in the United Stat
es the Catholic university. And sure
ly no one can deny that its foundation
was timely. Behold the number OF
non Catholic universities in our coun-
try!
Must Have Support
1t is moreover but right that al
S1lCllu. contribute TO the support o.
this great project, because a univer-
sity needs for it's support far greater
resources now than in the past. Oul
brethren in Europe have generously
supported their universities by do
cesar collection. And surely we should
not be less generous nor less broad
minded than so many of our fellow.
citizens, who, from no religious motive
contribute SO munificently to the nu-
merous noncatnolie universities of eul
land Moreover. in its short life thu
Catholic university has already VOL
for itself an intellectual prominence
which few other universities have
reached in the same period o
time.
All this gives good reason for pre-.
suning that it's future viii be brigh
indeed, if the faithful contribute t
it's support with self-sacrificing gen
crosby born OF faith in the usefulness!
Of a university to the church and i
at all times they lend the moral sup
port of their sympathy and well mean
ing admiration.
Finally, this is the first appeal o
our holy father, Plus X, to us, hi.
American children, to support a worl
in which he nanifests so much inter
est. Shall we not then justify his ex
pectation to the full, and make this oc
casion memorable by our cordial ant
general support? Faithfully yours il
Christ,
James Cardinal Gibbons,
Archbishop of Baltimore.
| p. C. Gavin, Chancellor.
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