The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-10
AMERICANIZING THE
FILIPINO.

One of the results of the acqui-
sition Of the Philippine Islands by
the United States is the introduc-
ton of American methods among
the Filipinos. This has had its
disadvantages as well as its advan-
tages. There is no doubt that the
natives had not advanced so far
along the road of material prog
ress as the people of this country !;
but in their religious and social
life they could learn very little
from American institutions. Those
who had not come under the infu-
ence of the Catholic Church were
few in numbers. Her children
were loyal and devoted, worship
ping God with all the intensity of
their emotional southern natures.
The influence Of the Catholic
Church had made them the only
Christian people in the Orient, the
only people in that part Of the
world amongst whom the domestic
life was ideal inasmuch as woman
was given her rightfu1 place in the
home as the companion and help
mate of man. Divorce was unheard
of, and the family life was char
acterized by peace and filial de-
votion found only among those
who are willing to bear with one
another's faults through love Of
God.
But now this is to be changed.
The evil of divorce is to be intro
duced into the Islands by means
of legislation; but for what pur-
pose it is difficult to say except it
be to bring the Filipino cup to
date" and make him the equal Of
his American brother in the en-
joyment Of legal rights. On De-
cember 9Th, 1911, the Assembly Of
the Philippine Islands passed an
absolute divorce bill which is now
before the Commission, or, as it
may be called, the Senate of the
Islands for ratification before it
becomes operative. The majority
of this commission is made up Of
Americans. The better class of
Filipinos and especially the HER
archy who are responsible for the
safeguarding of the authority and
prestige Of the Church are anx-
iously awaiting the outcome of the
deliberations Of the Commission.
Up to the present time the people,
Of the Islands have had no oppor-
tunity Of expressing their opinion
in regard to this measure. Pro-
tests were made against the pas
sage Of this bill, that Of the Fill
ipino women being the most note
worthy. In this protest they de-
clared that eve have got along
we'll during all these centuries
without this curse upon our land,
and every argument in favor Of
absolute divorce is sufficiently met
by the separation which is allowed
for just reasons by the Church and
the Spanish law. !"
| If this bill receives the sanction
Of the Committee to whom it has
been referred, it will make posi-
BILE among the Fi1ipinos the worst
evils that aff1ict the American ma
/ ton. It is the entering wedge
which, if taken advantage of, viii
/ jeopardize the peace and security
Of domestic life and lead to all
sorts of social evils. There was NO
demand for such bill on the part
Of the natives. It's introduction
into the Assembly is an evidence
Of an anti-Catholic spirit that is
abroad in the Islands and fostered
by those who are not averse to
putting obstacles in the way Of the
Church in the excellent work she
continues to do for the material
and spiritual welfare Of the Fill
ipinos.
lie this law is foisted upon the
, Filipinos it viii tend to blight the
J family life of the native popula-
ton. Hence the Bishops of the Is
lands and their co-laborers are
protesting against it as they are
, bound to do i'm conscience. In this
they are entitled to the moral sup
] port of their Catholic brethren in
J America who ought to bring to
, bear upon the authorities all the
, influence at their command in or.
der, if possible, to prevent the
J placing Of this absolute divorce
bill upon the statute books of the
: Philippine Islands. There is nc
, need for it; and its operation will
E prove detrimental to the future
peace and welfare Of the inhabit,
6 ants A STRONG nrOtnSt made al