The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-07-20
ODE Religious Situation in
s~ the Philippines. s~
Contributed this Paper by Prof CHARLES z. HOVE,
Native Garrett CoNntian now in the Isle nds.


These Islands were conquered by
Spanish soldiers before the English
settlements in North America were be-
gun, but the ''fliars' or priests, made
the conquest secure by converting
the people to Catholicism. This does
not seem to have been difficult, as
most of the people readily gave up
their heather superstitions and
adopted the religion of their conquer
ers. Some of the wilder tribes, how
ever, like Iggorotes, refused to accept
Christianity, either at the hands of
the priests or the point of the sword,
and to this day there are about 200,-
900 unciviIized Pagans, Lying chiefly
in the mountainous districts.
The warlike Moros of the sou thern
islands, were not conquered until re-
cent years and were really never gov
erned by the Spaniards. They have
never given up the religion of the
Prophet, which was probably taught
them by Arab missionaries about two
hundred years before the Spaniards
come. There are perhaps 100000 Mo-
hammedans in the Islands today
and missionaries have little success in
winning them to Christianity.
In Spanish times church and state
were closely united and there was no
freedom of religion as Americans I'M
derstand it; few of the 10000 Chinese
became Christians and there were
Mohammedans and Pagans, but these
were tolerated only because the gov
eminent could neither convert nor
compel them to become Christians,
Protestant churches were unknown
the English residents were twice re-
fused permission to establish an Epis
copal church. At present three de,
nominations have both American anC
native congregations in separate
churches in Manila, and the various
Protestant bodies have divided the
provinces into separate missionary
fields and are working with some sue
cess.
In 1896 the great Instruction be
gan, 1t was caused chiefly by thu
fact that Spanish priests not onl!
controlled church affairs entirely, blu
also dominated the government, Sc
that the local town governments
whose officials were natives, wer
really under the orders of the tow
priests.
The instruction developed de
sire for independence of all contro
, by 10Aite people both in church ant
state. The American government
put down the insurrection so far a
state independence was concerned
but the people were given to under
stand that they were perfectly FIRE
in religious matters. Acting on thi
: knowledge many of the native priest
reYolted, established the "Filipin
t Independent Catholic Church. i
, 1903 and chose as their leader, Gre
gorio Aglipay, archbishop"
2 This organization spread rapid
S to most of the Islands and in man
e towns a majority of the people &C
: here to it. In ceremonies and bt
/ lief it is similar to the parent churcl
e but itrefuses to recognize the author
f.. ity of the Pope.
J The different sects live in peace t.
] gether, We hear of little trouble e.
S cept when the Independents try t
j. take possession of Catholic churche
n which they claim belong to the poop
S of the towns who built them, viii
the Romanists claim title to be yes
Z ed in the church under the ArchbisI
IS op. The courts have not yet decide
J. the question and the rule Of "actu