The Washington times., 1905-12-06
CHURCH DESERT|ON
IS ALARMING POPE
Too Many Americans Are
Abandoning Faith.
REFORMS NEEDED AT ONCE
Prelate Would Abolish Entrance Fees
and Luxurious Living of Some
of Clergy.
REFORMS NEEDED AT ONCE

ROME. Dec. 6.-The well-informed
vatican correspondent OF the Stampa
prominent paper OF Turin, is author
ity Tor the statement that when. a few
days age. Mgr. Thomas S. Byrne.
Bishop Of Nashville. Tenn. was received
In private audience by the Pope. the
conversation OF the Pontiff dealt prin-
cipally upon serious abuses which are
said to be found ia the church IN Amer
tca, and which Plus Y declares ne was
determined 90 suppress at any cost.
According to this information. which
originated from very authoritative
sources Plus Y complained of the fact
that. while the number of Catholics ia
America has been on the increase for
many years past because OF iunigra-
ton from Catholic countries. the nun
ber +of actual conversions from Prot
estantism continues practically to he
very limited. while there are thousands
OF instances OF Catholics abandonine
their religion for other denominations
Explanation Asked.
Naturally this condition OF things was
viewed with alarm by the head 5f the
church. and Plus y asked the Nash
vile prelate TO explain why things
should be so. on the American prelate's 6
mumbling some sort OF explanation Plus
Y. according to the correspondent,
startled the bishop by enumerating sew
eral OF the abuses existing in America.
Of which he said. he had been informed
through private sources.
First of all the Pontiff deprecated the
custom allowed IN many American dio-
eeses 20 exact an entrance fee on Sun
Gay and holidays from the people at
tending mass in the churches In the
opinion OF the Pontiff such a custom
must be abolished the sooner the, bet
ter. as IT practically constitutes a
hindrance TO poor people attending
the church and might be the cause of
preventing Protestants or non-Cathoiics
from listening TO Catholic sermons ana
explanations OF the Catholic doctrine.
Other Abuses.
The Pope then dwelt at length on
other abuses Of the same kind which
he had been informed were prevalent in
many-ehUrches in America The taxing
OF the members of some congregations
for share of the expenses necessary
10 run the church or for providing coal
or other commodities TO the parish
priests Plus Y said he considered un-
fair, especially when the tax was made
by some of the American priests rather
compulsory through the printing and
distribution to the members of the con-
gregation Of a list containing the names
of the contributors and the amount
they had donated.
The Pope stated that such contribu-
tions ought to be left entirely TO the
generosity of the faithful. and that the
ch Ka
clergy 10 obtain them.
The Pope also added that he had been
informed from reliable sources that
such abuses constitute the principal rea-
son why so many thousands of italians
after arriving in America never set foot
again. or very. seldom. In the churches
and that many even bring up their
children in utter ignorance of their re-
hgious duties. and are practically lost
10 the church in which they were born.
Surrounded With Luxury.
To the utter amazement of the Nash
Vile prelate the Pope then spoke very
emphatically of the fact that he knew
how some of the American bishops had
surrounded themselves with more lux
uries than even the Pope thought him
self entitled 20. Some of them had
great palaces and residences in which
they led an easy and comfortable life.
while taking very little interest In the
management OF the parishes OF their
respective dioceses, which were left en-
tirely In the hands OF the parish priests
Plus X added that the time was not
far distant when he would be enabled
20 extend his work OF reform to the
church In America. and send there some
OF the members of the religious orders
which he considered the right arm OF
the Pope, as apostolic visitors. to report
on actual conditions.
IT is hardly possible to detail the i'm.
preston which the conversation Of the
Pope with the Bishop Of Nashville pro-
ouced IN Rome. especially on several
American prelates at present visiting
mere. II had been known for some time
that Plux Y never lost an opportunity
70 gather Information about the church
IN America from his numerous Amerl-
can visitors, both clerical and lay and
II is thought that he is now In possess
sion Of many details which
prelates believed would never reach the
Pope's ears
Pope Is Aggressive.
II is the general opinion in Vatican
circles that now the Pope will adopt
active measures for the suppression OF
some Of these long-existIng abuses. as
he feels that he has personally assumed
the responsibility for the enforcement OF
ecclesiastical discipline in every diocese
OF the world since he was elected to !
De the head OF the church.