New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-11-02
w. ], BURKE REPLIES TO MR..
FARRAR'S COMMENT ON
ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER.


New Iberia. La, Oct. %, IL.
"Mr. Edgar II. Farrar, in his
communication to the press bear-
ing up the circular letter OF the
archbishop of New Orleans and
the bishop of Alexandria, direct
ing their clergy to use all their
influence to defeat the tax amend
ment, says that "It is an Official
document issued ex cathedra,
with all the power and authority
of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy
behind it, addressed to the whole
Catholic clergy in Louisiana, to
be read at all masses held IN
Louisiana on Sunday, Oct. II, and
therefore brought to the atten-
ton of all Catholic laymen az
made part of the services of their
church"
He declares this to be "a prac-
teal command to all layman to
obey the voice of the church, and
to vote down the whole reform
amendment" etc. He concludes
this proposition with the state
ment: This letter is based upon
the church maxim, Roma ipsa
locuta est; causa est finita. Rome
herself bas spoken; the case IS at
an end
Me eminent friend is in error
in assuming for one moment, that
when an archbishop, bishop or
priest ventures to leave the do
main of the church to enter thai
of politics or statecraft, he ma,
ever assume to say, "Roma ipsa
locuta est causa est finita.
| Loyal Catholics listen to the voice
of their ministers in matters OF
religion-but no self-respectine
Catholic will submit to the stigmf
| that he must hearken. even self
contained and patient, to the in
tr,1sion into his political or civi
| life Of any mandate of any priest
ly power.
The peop1y Of the State OF Lou
isiana are engrossed IN the con
sideration of the most vital ques
tion of revision Of her taxing syl
!. tenn. Her people are considsrinl
4he question from favorable g.
t,1lfayorable viewpoints, but a.
terlninins for the State : Stat
issue. Catholics by TIE thousand
honestly favor the amendms1f
proposed Catholics ~ thy tnot
sands honesty oppose It. Fac
individual must settle the prCblel
ma a citizen and not as q church
man. That any archbishop, bisf
op or priest should deem it prof.
er to enter the political arena
and use the pulpit as his forum
is a matter which he may kno'
how to reconcile with his sens
of duty and propriety, and OF tn
regard which he should have fc
the rights of his humber fello'
churchmen; but one would has
to put willful stigma upon II
Catholics of the State by ass'irl
ine them SO bereft Of the essel
tials Of good citizenship as to b
, lieve them willing to surrend'
their independence Of politlcc'
action TO the judgment even OF
most emipent prelate.
"Roma ipsa locuta est; cau'
, est finits, y was never uttered az
sanction to political activities !
: humble priest or purpled prime
Of the church--and the most !
: norant Catholic knows, where Il
!. domain Of the church ends, al
that Of the State begins. Al
the most humble has the invit
! able right to the enjoyment
his citizenship, untramelled
the craving for political power
! the part Of any clergy. Sad !
deed would be the day. when =
Catholic would consent to ma
z his vote cast in accord with Z
9 mandate Of any clergyman.
II il unfortunate that the arc
bishop and bishop, signing =
!, circuiar in question, should fa
found it necessary to oppose
any manner at al Of the propos
amendment, written for the rel
Of the struggling masses, to
lieye them Of some Of the burde
: of taxation BY transferring tn
< to those who have never Dor
|. them before, or never borne tn
!. inst proportion. The fear Il
J. somc charitable institution OF
excess over half of his estate, 2
II thai event the State, which b
! | waived its right for the good
: : | these bcneficiaries, would ask
Z. Z tar for her own needs, = inde
!. J poor ground for the antagcn1
= Of these eminent gentlemen to
general plan Of tax reforTnat
. ncedful to our State.
:. Does Il not appear : very
Or eral proposition on the part Of