BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-12-28
EDITORIAL

in analyzing and passing judgment
upon the action of Bishop Blenk in re-
1ation with his words of yesterday de-
1jvered from the pulpit in the Catholic
Cathedral in San Juan. We are firmly
of the opinion that this was a proce
ding which was entirely outside of the
rules prescribed by ecclesiastic laws
for the government of analogous cases
and as such we propose to make our
analysis and give our opinion in the
matter. The action referred to was
not only surprising in the extreme but
it was wholly unexpected, unlocked
for and unmerited by those upon whom
1t fell most heavily 1t was the up
permont topic for converse tion in all
circles yesterday, and much regret was
expressed that the worthy Bishop sho-
uld have felt called upon to announce
in the manner which he did that these
two worthy priests had requested and
Obtained permission to leave Porto
Rico.
This action by the Bishop caused
most profound sensation among all
those who heard his words in the Ca
thedral Sunday as we'll as those who
were not present at the time who lear
ned of the action afterward. Up to this
time the only information in connec-
ton with the two worthy priests which
had come to the public was that pu-
blished Saturday in the newspapers
to the effect that they were about to
leave Porto Rico after having been
granted permission to do so by their
Superior. Much more are we surpri
sed at his action when we recall the
fact that these two young priests were
regarded by the public as two of the
staunchest champions of catholicity in
Porto Rico. But according to Bishop
Blenk eur kindly farewell to Ethers
Zufliga and ParadiS was entirely out OF
place and urcalled for since they had
not earned an were not entitled to the
the vote of sympathy in all sincerity
which the catholicity of Porto Rico
had seem fit to extend to them unani-
mously and with snch great good will.
The great importance of the posi-
tion occupied by these two priests in
in clerical circles as we'll as the Servi
ces which they have rendered here to-
the cause of catholicity makes the
surprise of the public all the greater
at what has occurred.
The anathema launched against
them by Bishop Blenk was most startl-
ing indeed. No wonder our people are
surprised. Tell as, who are these
men who are acussed and chastised
before the public view without so
mNch as an iota of proof being submit
ted in substa ntiation of any charges
which might be nader Why are we
not supplied with some evidence of
their guilt All of our island know
these two eminent ministers OF the
gospel of Christ and will undoubtedly
repeat our questions VIXEN they are
made aware of the Bishop and that
Ito the honor of the church itself they
have ceased to pertain to this Dio-
ceSe.
To the eloquent preachings of these
two devo.ed ministers is due the va
rious catholic institutions and societies
and it is this awakened interest which
has almost completely nullihed the
work which had been accomplished
by the protestant missionaries who
had established themselves in a few
small buildings, veryl small indeed,
holding forth in the vain hope that
they hight make converts, and the
work of these two worthy priests has
undone what they have been SO long
in doing. And as there is no explana-
ton forthcoming; as there are no proc.
is brought to light; as the public in
general is demanding that these cir
cumstances be forthcoming and nobody
is inclined to comply with the public
demand it begins to look as though all
of this recrimination was due to no.
thing at all and that the brilliant ser
vices and all of the self denial of these
men was being repaid by this most
unjust and uncalled for action upon
the part of those whom they had ser
we'd so we'll.
Judging from appearances one is
almost inclined to believe that this
action springs from sad unappre-
ciative teaching, because these two
faithful Spanish fathers have been the
only ones who have been willing to
work as they have and it can be
truthfully stated that they have sup
ported the whole burden of propagat
ing the catholic faith that they alone
L,,a co,,oh+ RI extend the belief of