The Washington herald., 1913-03-16
WITH THE ROMAN CHURCH
AND ITS WORLDWIDE WORK

Since the passage of the separation
law in France. by which the Roman
Catholic Church ceased to be part of
the state and became organized on the
associated plan. the church has devel-
oped an effective extension plan. 1t is
reported that fifteen new churches have
been built in the suburbs OF Paris alone
within three years. The church Is also
building schools, organizing boys well
fare work, congresses OF young men,
and teaching social service. This is be-
ing accomplished, 1t is said. although
priests and bishops. cut on from sup
port by the. state. are .inadequately sup
ported by the contributions of the
faithful 90 -r. .---
1t appears that a recent newspaper re-
port is not true which announced the
death of Brother Joseph, who succeed
ed the famous Father Damien as Cath
olic missionary among the lepers at the
Molokai colony, in Hawaii. 1t is said
that Brother Joseph has not even con-
tracted Ieprosy, and. although nearly
seventy years old, is still in excellent
health. Brother Joseph. as Ira Barnes
Dutton (his civil name), served in the
Union army during the war between the
States. and soon afterward, although he
had been raised a Methodist, he Joined
the Catholic Church and became a lay
brother with the Redemptorist order. He
volunteered to join Father Damien in
1886 To-day so many fearless mission
aries, both Protestant and Catholic, are
serving in leper colonies that the public
awe which once worshiped Father Da-
mien as superhuman hero has mostly
faded out Yet it should not be for
gotten that the great number of men
and women now doing this work are
no whit less admirable in their devotion
than was Father Damien when he was
the object Of a whole worlds applause.
The Laetare medal. which is award
ed annually on Laetare Sunday by the
University of .Notre Dame to some
Catholic layman or woman of the
United States for eminent services on
behalf of religion. philanthropy. NOR
ais. or education. was bestowed this
year on Charles G. Herbermann. LID,
of New York. This Is the second high
honor that has come to him within a
month, on February 12 Cardinal Far
on the editors of the Catholic EncycIo-
pedia. of which DR.. Herbermann was
the chief. the important decoration,
PRO Ecclesia ct Pontifce," cross
made of gold, silver, and bronze. The
encyclopedia was completed only
short time ago, and Is now issued IN
fifteen volumes after eight years of
labor.
DR.. Herbermann. who is now In his
seventy-third year, has distinguished
himself both as an educator and au-
thor. He taught the classics and men,
tai philosophy in the College of st.
Francis Xavier. New York. and for
some twoscore years was professor of
the Latin language and literature in
the College of the City of New York.
and for a large part Of the time was
librarian.
Catholic priests of the United States.
in large numbers, are planning pill
grimages to Rome in May. the month
this year when the Vatican will re-
ceive the largest pilgrimages. and
make the pilgrims a part of the Con-
stantine celebration. A good many ST.
Vincent de Paul members and their
friends will start week earlier and
stop in Paris to attend a centennial
service OF the death Of Frederic Oza-
nam. founder of the Society of ST. Vim
cent de Paul. There also Is to be
conference on the society's work
throughout the world. The dates are
April 2s and 81. The Pope has just
appointed Cardinal Vannutelli, the
younger of the two brothers of the
name in the Sacred College, to be his
special renresentafiye