New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-11
FOE TO CHURCH SCHOOL.
PRIEST ATTACKS SYSTEM.
Father CroscIey, of Chicago, Crit
ciSeS POpe.

'F.ot one-half az the female teachers in the
parochial schools Of this country could name
one-half Of the states OF the union Many could
not even tell the name Of the President All
they know IS that God created the earth and
the Pope Is the vicar of God and the priests the
ambassadors Of Jesus Christ. That IS about all
they know and all they care TO know" declared
Father J. J. Crowley, Of Chicago. last night.
speaking IN the pulpit OF the Madison Avenue
Reformed Church. 57th street and Madison ave
nue. He has for seven years been engaged in a
crusade against the parochial school.
Father Crowley began by saying he esteemed
81 privilege 10 address the Rev. Mr.. Carriers
congregation. He was, he declared, despite what
might be said against him, priest Of the Roman
Catholic Church. IN good standing and possess
ing all OF his priestly functions, saving par
fish. Although he was a Roman Catholic, the
speaker said. he recognized IN the Protestants
a body Of Christians working with other Chris
fians in a common cause, however much they
might differ IN ritual and theology.
Explaining his mission. Father Crowley said
no was IN a threefold work. First, purifying
his beloved Church from existing evils; second,
protecting public schools from the Vaccinations
Of the Catholic clergy. and thirdly, promoting
sympathetic understanding between Catholics
and non-C Catholics Priests, he said. had made
many accusations against both him and Book
he had written THE Parochial School: A Curse
20 the Church. a Menace to the Nation" If his
opponents could disprove a single statement con
tanned therein Father Crowley said he would
gladly hand over 10 them the plates of the book
and also forfeit in addition. 5000 in cash, If it
could be shown he was not a priest in good
standing. possessing all his clerical faculties.
Two years ago he had made this offer. he said
but he had never yet had it challenged, nor had
ne been arraigned enthusiastically. Catholic and
yon-Catholic. he asserted, were wofully ignorant
on the school question. The danger Of the pa
rochiaI school. he said. was its dominance by
priests. he asked for a state school. floating
the Stars and Stripes number Of priests had
started in the work with him, the speaker con-
tinued; some deserted. while others were stand
ing pat" He said the parochial school was con-
irary TO American ideals. while the public school
typifed Anericanism and tended to make the
pupil intensely and periodically American
Father Crowley then warned his hearers
against what he declared 10 be an attempt to
create politically third. or Catholic, party,
scheme Of the prelates 10 capture America.
Legislative and Congressional candidates would
be asked to pledge themselves. he said. to sup
port measures seeking TO subsidize the parochial
school None was there, he said. who would
be 50 foolish, even TO gain the Catholic vote
Father Crowley then read extracts where
state aid for parochial schools was demanded
IN New Jersey on the contention that they saved
the nation annually S20O00O0O in tuition and
S15O000OO0 in school houses. An archbishop I'm
Chicago was quoted who prophesied America
would be Catholcize1 in fifty years.
In his condemnation of esoteric Catholicism, /
Father Crowley quoted from public letters writ
ten by the Marquise des Monsters-Neronville !
and the Baroness Won Zedtwitz, who. as the
Misses Caldwell gave 100000 to establish the |
Catholic University in Washington, D. c. but
later and since their residence in Europe alb
5ured The Roman Catholic faith. The marquise
was quoted writing: since have been Iiv
ing in Europe III. eyes have been opened to
what that Church really is and TO its anything
but sanctity.
IN closing, Father Crowley SAID that If the
Roman Church could Withstand the fun light
OF day, she had nothing; TO fear from the public
school He said that the present Pope had
echoed previous POpes. who had declared the
religious law superior to the civil, and had
openly condemned human equality and free
speech and press. Father Crowley cautioned
against the election Of Catholics to important |
places on educational boards which. he insisted,
they would seek further the plan Of the
Church 10 conquer all America.