The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-22
PETERS PENCE.
Criticisms and suggestions Dy Roman
Catholic Priest.

To THE EpiroR or THE SUS Sir: The
I appeal for Peters Pence made TO American
Catholics by Mgr Fllconio is timely and ap-
propriate. Tho enemies OF the Church have
long since succeeded in despoiling the Holy
Father OF his patrimony. Freemasonry mas
almost entirely deprived the Church IN
France OF Government support and the offer
ings Of Peters Pence 90 generously supplied
for many years by the eldest daughter OF
the Church will now be needed FOR the main
tenance OF her own helpless charitable ana
religious institutions. As for tho ltallah
Catholics. there 10 good reason for MI
O'Dowd's structures on their lack OF gener-
osity TO the Church in this country. But.
after all. the Italians who come TO our nos.
pitable shores are generally the poorest ana
lowest class whose means are very limited.
and who have never been educated TO give
anything for any purpose. either religious or
educational | have many OF them ~ my
small country parish, and not one out OF nity
comes TO Church on Sunday. because II might
cost the small sum Of one dime to help pay
expenses.
Now. although Mr.. O'Dowd's structures on
this class OF people are Just and TO the point.
still believe that neither he nor any OF
his race Is going TO refuse or diminish
their offerings of Peters Pence because
some other natonaliues fail 10 do the4r guy.
Neither do ! believe that the success o5 ,hls
movement and the amount OF fetp fcuuG
are going to depend on pastoral letters lssucu
by tho Bishops. for, outside OF thelr Own
cathedral churches and episoopdl Ge 16s5
their names and persons are scarcely KNOWN
They are not in touch with the people.
and many of them are fast anenatlng INC
good will OF the clergy by their manifest un-
fairness in promoting young favorltes 10
high ecclesiastical positions ana ignoring
older men whose good WORK ana long ser vice
in tho ministry are deserving OF more con-
In the conduct Of ecclesiastical affairs
there is one lesson which a Sadt 70 HiEtaId
that Is. that principles. not policy lalr pay
not favoritism. pay better in the long run.
And whether the man be on the box or
ON horseback or on the throne. be ought
70 be man who will recognize merit, ana ~
his treatment OF his fellow man DO s"ayeu
A. present there is purple aristooracy
being grated on the Church in this country,
ecclesiastical distinction at the request Of
their respective Bishops Little would u
matter how many OF them were clothed Win
purple and gold. for the more the morrieri
II they we're only selected from the good old
men who were the pioneers Of Cstholaty
in their respective dioceses. ana are now hh
the prophet OF old. admirable for age AMI
glory" But when II comes to selecting Tor
ecclesiastical honors men who are emlnent
neither Tor ther y5,ue , hI bs e cbur6b al heart
oan only deplore a tendency which rehects
no great credit on episcopal authority. Inc
SUCCESS Of every charitable movement. OF
every religious and Catholic educational work
in this country. il bound up in the mutual
love and good will for each other Of sincere,
devoted priests and the plain. salf-sacrihcing
people II Ia their efforts or their apathy
which will make episcopal appeals a success
I would then say to Mt ODowd, whose
recent letter in THE SrN occasioned these re-
marSs. No matter what other Municipalities
may do, let us OF Irish birth and blood gen
erously increase our offerings OF Peters
Pence. and thus give 70 the Holy Father
renewed proof Of that loyalty which has made
our nationality the glory Of the Church and
an honor 10 mankind SACTDDos.
WASHINGTON COUNTY. Y. Y. Jan. 20.