The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-08
EXPLAINS SNUB.
Archbishop Ireland Tells Why
the Head of His Church
Refused an Audience to Charles
w. Fairbanks.
THE M. E. ASSOCIATION
Is in Bad Standing Owing to
Methods Pursued
Which He Declares Are by No
Means Honorable.

Chicago, Feb. 8.-The following
statement was offered the Associated
Press by Archbishop Ireland today:
people in America may easily mis-
apprehend the circumstances in Rome
which led the vatican to refuse an
audience with the holy father to Mr..
Charles w. Fairbanks after he, a for
mer vice president of the United States,
would have made public address be-
fore the Methodist association of that
city. Most likely Mr.. Fairbanks, him
self, did not fully understand the
meaning which Romans would at
tribute to his address.
''It was not a question of Mr.. Fair
banks being a Methodist or going to a
Methodist church in Rome for Sunday
devotion. It was a question of appear
ing to give the fullest approval to the
work of the Methodist association in
Rome. American Methodists in Rome
are active-and 1 may readily say
pernicious proselyters. The Methodist
association is not in Rome to serve
and meet American Methodists, but to
pervert from the Catholic faith all
those whom they can influence.
''I was in Rome last winter and l
made a very particular study of this
Methodist propaganda 1t has gone so
far that Catholics have organized a
society for the preservation of the
faith to fight against 1t.
"The purpose of the work of the
Methodist association in Rome is con-
fessed openly. The means employed
are by no means honorable. They
take every advantage of the poverty
of the poor of Rome. The books cir
of their book stores are ISLANDERS
against the Catholic faith, the holy
pontiff at Rome and d misrepresenta-
ton of the whole Catholic system.
Costs More Than 1t Comes To.
THE success of the movement is
far from adequate to the efforts put
forth and the money expended. They
do not make permanent Methodists
of italian Catholics. They may pos
sibly detach pupils from the Catholic
church and this means from all
Christian things for Italians.
Now a public address by for
mer vice president of the United
States before the Methodist associa-
ton can have no other meaning in the
eyes of the Roman public than Amer
lean approval of the propaganda of
the Methodist association. Had the
Holy Father, guardian of the spirit
ual interests of the Catholic church of
the world, smilingly welcomed Mr.
Fairbanks to an audience on the fol-
lowing day in what other position
would he appear to be than giving his
approval to the propaganda of the
Methodist association before the adj
dress had been given.
ut was simply impossible for the
Holy Father, in his official position as
a sovereign pontiff of the Catholic
church, to do aught else than to say
politely to Mr.. Fairbanks:
II can not receive you and accord
you the honors due you in all other
circumstances as an American and a
distinguished representative of a great
republic.
Fairbanks Did Not Understand.
81 repeat I am most willing to be-
ueve Mr.. Fairbanks did not catch UP
the full meaning, in the eyes of the
Roman people, of the address he was
to make to the Methodist association.
One arm Of combat which those Meth.
odists employ in Rome, as 1 know from
personal observation, Is to create the i'm.
preston that Methodism is the grea1
faith of the American republic and thai
the Catholic church is merely an italian
Institution.
There are in Rome Protestant Amerf
can churches for the benefit of Ameri
cans that put forth legitimate efforts
minding their own business and make nc
war on the Catholic church What 1 have
said of the Methodists in Rome does no
apply to the other churches there I have
in mind the Protestant Episcopal chape
on the Via NaZionale and its former rec
tor, DIR. NevinE, a man whom / wa:
pleased to call a friend and whom 1 wa.
always glad to meet
II shall leave for New York and I shall
be pleased to answer the Methodists herr