The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-02-08
CONVENTION OF POLISH
CLERGY ESPEIs PRIEST
Fl. Kruszka, of Milwaukee, Ac-
cused Of Writing "Modernistic'
Articles and Other Offences


The opening session of the national
rx8HFeHfIeHE sEPoFsH Catholic priests
MAS held I'm the Hotel Cadillac. Wed
nesday afternoon, and proved an
eventful occasion, for almost the first
Business transacted was the expul-
sion OF the Rev Waclaw Krnszka,
pastor OF St. Albertus church, Mil
wankee, who was charged with in
subordinalion and with being antag-
onistic to the policies OF the Polish
Catholic church. FIR. Kruszka was
called on TO explain. but refused. The
vote expelling him followed.
FIR. Kruszka was also accused OF
writing articles OF ''modernistic'
trend for anti-religious papers, In
GLIDING the Milwaukee Kurrier, pub
lished by his brother. The priest, in
. statement made following his ex-
pulsion, denied having written any
articles for newspapers since 1901,
when Archbishop Messmer. OF Mil
waukee. ordered him to stop. Wheth-
er FIR. Kruszka will be allowed to re-
tain his parish In Milwaukee, Is for
Archbishop Messmer to decide.
FIR. Kruezka declares that his ex-
pulsion is accounted for by the fact
that the majority OF the clergymen In
this convention are opposed to the
Federation OF Polish Catholic Lay
men, which is trying to obtain a rep
resentation In the affairs OF the
church In America, and with which
the priest Is prominently identlned.
The leaders In the movement 10 have
him expelled asked him to break with
the newspapers that are behind the
movement. which he refused TO DO.
He believes that the sentiment OF the
Polish laity all over the country Is
with the movement.
Fr. Kruszka declares that the pres
ant convention Is not representative
OF the Polish clergy OF America. In
lvftations to attend the convention
were sent to $50 priests and only 900
fesponded. he says. According TO the
priest, the vote on expulsion stood
about 100 to 80 against him.
FIR. Kruszka was a delegate 10 Rome
IN 1903, when Pope Plus was asked
70 send Polish bishops to this coun-
try to take charge OF Polish dioceses.
His brother has carried on the fight
for an increased measure OF self-rule
for the Polish Catholics with such
zeal that the directors OF his newspa-
pers. one In Milwaukee and the other
IA Chicago, are under Indictment In
Chicago for criminal libel OF Bishop
paul p. Rhode, who led In the expul-
sion or the priest, Wednesday.
ssFr. Kruszka has been back OF the
federation movement" said Bishop
Rhode. Wednesday afternoon. This
federation. for the most part, Is COM
posed of saloonkeepers and irrespons-
lille persons who would soon disrupt
THE church. II FIR. Kruszka were al
lowed to continue along the lines he
mas been pursuing, he would become
n disturbing element and would help
srupt the church"
SfanYslaus Lempicki, general or
knfzer OF the Federation OF Polish
sholic Laymen, and editor of the
trrier Polski. OF which Michael
.EEs}uszka. brother OF the expelled
.riest, is publisher. issued state
nlent, Thursday, taking issue with
Bishop Rhodes criticism of the fed
Grafton.
sTt Is not true" he said. that the
federation Is backed by FIR. kruszka.
No Catholic priest is member OF the
federation. but II is true that Fr.
~
"Bishop Rhodes statement that the
federation Is composed OF saloonkeep-
ers and irresponsible persons Is an
affront to the Catholic church and the
Polish people, for no one but prac-
tical Roman Catholic and a MEMBER
in good standing OF his particular PAL
'ish can be a member OF the fedora
ron. Moreover, about 40 parishes,
represented by the duly constituted
parochial committees, are members or
the federation. | have organized ~
OF the II Polish parishes In Detroit
within the last few days. III these
Catholics are irresponsible persons
have nothing more TO say.
AThe federation Is not and never
Will be disturbing element In the
church. Our aim Is threefold: TO
work towards the uplift OF the people
along cultural lines; TO bring ABOUT
the appointment of Polish bishops
with full power, and to raise the
standard OF the Polish Roman Catno-
lie parochial schools. II Is our earnest
desire to work In harmony with the
polish clergy In so far as IL, Is our
power TO do So"
The convention is the first national
nathering OF it's kind ever held In
America, and Is an important one In
view OF the dissension that exists.
Papers by the Rev. Edward keslo~--
ski. OF Bay City, and the Rev. Nj. Bar
nhasz. OF Baltimore, took up a large
nart of the afternoon. The former
y smoke on Present religious, social
and economic conditions of the Poles
IN America" and FIR. Barabasz spoke
on .Our organizations, their character
and aims" The evening session was
given over to discussion OF the ques-
ton. Education and social endeaFof
..,,,orer the Poles of America"