The Irish standard., 1912-06-01
Offers Defence of Catholic Church
in South America Against the
Methodist Charges.
Assails the Illogical Reasoning and
the Unfairness of Methodist
Missionaries.
The Charges Vague and General
and not Substantiated by
Specific Facts.

In a lengthy statement in reply to
the charges made by Bishop Bristol
and Rev. William Rice, Archbishop
ireland issues challenge to those
gentlemen to substantiate their state.
ments by fact. In his statement Arch
bishop ireland says:
"Unchivalrous. indeed, should
deem myself, and unworthy of the re-
sponsibilities of my sacred office, did
l not, firmly and fearlessly, challenge
into the field of open discussion and
searching investigation the men. un-
der whatever banner they march, who.
with conscious bravado born of the
confidence that the adversary is far
out in unstinted word and unstinted
hate, Misrepresentation and calumny
against my brethren and colleagues
of the Catholic hierarchy of the re-
publics of South America. And. so.
l give forth the challenge to Bishop
Frank NJ. Bristol and Rev. William
Rice, members Of the quadrennial
Methodist conference, now in session
in the city of Minneapolis.
"In writing as l now do. have this
regret. that ! may seem TO be. at war1-
with all members Of the" quadrennial
conference. know that inside the
walls of the conference there are the
many who love peace. who love truth,
who fain would bride the wild tongues
of Incorporate brethren. bent OH the
futile task of beating down, per fas
ct nefas,' the battlements Of the Cath
olic Church, whose fury, however.
they are powerless to mitigate. To
the friends of peace In the conference
proffer apology. and trust they will
pardon what were 1t not for me a
duty, l myself should consider an un-
warranted intrusion into their affairs.
Is Champion Of Whole Church.
II have more on my hands than the
defense Of the Catholic Church in
South America 1t is the defense Of
the Catholic Church in the United
States. The Catholic Church in its
doctrines and mandates is the Same
the world over It's unity In its wide-
spread Catholicity is its legitimate
boast; everywhere it teaches the same
doctrines and principles everywhere
1t moves and works under the guid-
ing hand of the same chieftain, the
pontiff Of Rome. To say that In teach
ing any mandate the Catholic Church
is wrong anywhere, is to say that 1t
is wrong wherever 1t is. It is nothing
short OF an insult to the Catholics Of
the United States to tell them, as
Rev. w. F. Rice dares do, that their
| religion is 'Protestanized Roman
| Catholicism, that from them Metho-
dists and others will not understand
what Catholicism. in it's true form
means. Catholics Of the United
States Indignantly repel the insult
that they are 'Protestanized' Cath
olics. To pass it by silently we're on
IHclE part du duIIlISo1Ou u SCA1SIll duO
| heresy. God help the Catholics of the
United States IL Catholicism cannot
be learned from them in it's true
FORM Their Catholicism, God be
thanked, is indeed Catholicism. in it's
true FORM and their Catholicism ia
exactly that which is preached by the
Catholic Church in South America, as
in every other land under the sun.
"And right here let me say to non-
Catholics of Minneapolis and st. Paul:
We are among you; every Sunday our
doctrines are spoken from the pulpits
Of fifty or more temples: our works
are In the open, our schools, colleges.
institutions Of charity and religion.
willingly swing apart their portals to
visits from you. Do you wish to know
the Catholic Church In its true form?'
See us, question US; judge US; and a.
you Judge us, Judge the Catholic
Church as it is in, South America, az
it is in every quarter of the globe"
Here the Archbishop recalls the
false charges made against the Cath
olic Church in South America few
years ago by Presbyterian clergy
man. Rev: Robert =. speer. This man