Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-11
ROME METHOD|STS
ARE A PERMCIOUS,
PROSECUTING Sect
PreIate Scores Denomination
in Rome in Explaining Pope's
Refusal to See Fairbanks,
Because of MethodiStS
ARE THERE TO PERVERT
CATHOLIC FOLLOWERS
Archbishop ireland

CHICAGO. Feb. S-The following state
ment was offered the Associated Press by
Archbishop ireland today:
People in America may easily misap-
prehend the circumstances in Rome which
led the vatican 10 refuse an audience
with the holy father TO Mr. Charles W.
Fairbanks after the vice president Of the
United States said he would make
public address before the Methodist as
ISOLATION OF that city. Most likely Mr..
Fairbanks himself did not fully realize
the meaning which Romans would attri-
butte TO his address
1T was not a question of Mr.. Fair
banks being a Methodist or going TO
Methodist church in Rome for Sunday de-
votions II was a question of appearing
TO give the fullest approval to the work
OF the Methodist association in Rome.
American Methodists in Rome are active.
and may readily say pernicious prosely-
ters-
ssThe Methodist association is not In
Rome to serve and meet American Meth
odists, but to pervert from the Cath
Ollie faith all those upon whom they can
bring influence to bear.
II was in Rome last winter. and /
made a very particular study of this
Methodist propaganda 1t has gone so far
tnat Catholics have organized society
for the preservation OF the faith to fight
against It
OPENLY CONFESSED.
The purpose Of the work OF the Meth
odist association in Rome IS confessed
openly. The means employed are by no
means honorable They take every ad-
vantage OF the poverty OF the poor In
Rome The books circulated and displayed
in the windows OF their book stores are
ISLANDERS against the Catholic faith. the
holy pontifr at Rome and a misrepresenta-
ton OF the whole Catholic system The
success of the movement Is far from
adequate 20 the efforts put forth and the
money expended They don't make per-
manent converts of Italian Catholics.
They may possibly detach pupils from the
Catholic church. and this means from
all things for Italians.
Now a public address by a former
vice president OF the United States be-
fore the Methodist association can have
no other meaning In the eyes OF the Ro-
man public than the approval of Ameri-
ca on the propaganda OF the Methodist
association. Had the holy father. guar
dian OF the spiritual interests Of the
Catholic church OF the world. smilingly
welcomed Mr.. Fairbanks to an audience
I on the following day in what other
position would he appear to be than Civ
tho Methodist association before which
the address had been given?
TT was simply impossible for the holy
father, in his official position as a SOW
ereign pontiH of the Catholic church. to
do aught else than to say politely to Mr..
Fairbanks:
81 cannot receive you and accord you
the honors due you in all other circum-
stances as an American and a distin-
guished representative Of a great re-
public
II repeat that I am most willing 70
believe Nr. Fairbanks did not catch up
the full meaning. in the eyes OF the Ro-
man people. OF the address he was 70
make to the Methodist association.
''one arm of combat which those
Methodists employ in Rome. as know
from personal observation. is to create
the impression that Methodism is the
great faith Of the people and that the
Catholic church is merely an Italian in
stitution.
There are in Rome Protestant Ameri-
can churches for the benefit of Ameri-
cans that put forth legitimate efforts to
mind their own business and make no war
on the Catholic church. What 1 have
said OF the MethOdists in Rome does not
apply to the other churches there.
have in mind the Protestant Episcopal
chapel on the Via Nazionale and its for
mer rector. DR.. Nevins. a man whom
/ was pleased to call a friend and whom
/ was always glad to meet
Il cannot make il too plain that l am
not attacking the entire Methodist
church