The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-04-12

is no common language; there is no
national homogeneity, and until some
thing has been done toward the prac-
tical solution of these problems, indie
pendence would be only the prelude.
to anarchy and foreign Intervention
The Position of the Church.
But apart from these considerations,
is the more important question of the
Church's position. Until very few
years ago the position of the Church in
the Philippines was most unenviable
Revolution prior to American occupa-
ton, and after American occupation,
the complete divorce of the Church
from the State, Aglipayanism and it's
evils, the destruction of church prop
erty and the unwarranted seizures
thereof by municipal governments, the
lack of resident clergy-all these
and causes akin have done much to
harrass the Church, to interfere with
it's mission, and paralize it's influence
during recent years. Fortunately, con-
ditions have improved and under it's
notably jealous hierarchy are improv-
ing rapidly, and it is quite possible
that ten or fifteen years from now if
this Improvement keeps up the Church
will be so firmly established as to view
with equanimity any change which
the United States may see fit to make
in the government of the Islands. At
present, however, the dominant ele-
ment in Philippine politics is rabidly
anti Catholic. Various reasons have
been assigned to me in explanation of
this, but the one reason admitted by
all my informants had to do with a
professed hatred toward all religion.
which Filipino politicians, following
the example of their kind in France
and Portugal, accept as a fundamental
article of true patriotism. The Philip
pine Assembly established by Mr.. Taft
in 1907 has been consistently anti
Catholic since its institution. Recent
ly bill was introduced into the lower
house of the Legislature here provid-
ing for a head tax of thousand pesos
$500, gold) on all Catholic priests en-
tering the Islands, and further tax
of five hundred pesos annually upon
all priests resident in the Philippines
or exercising their ministry therein.
This, together with other measures
originating in the lower house, looking
to the confiscation of church property
and revenues, but too well illustrates
the attitude toward the Church and
her interests of the average Filipino
now in control of public affairs.
The Great Need.
ct seems to me very necessary,
therefore, that our Democratic friends
should be made to understand the pit
falls that lie in the way of the I'm
mediate Independence program. For
eign, as well as American commercial
interests, will actively oppose it-on
grounds pertinent to their point of
view-and those of us who are inter
ested in the cause of religion should
not be less active. The Church now
needs a breathing-spell to perfect her
long-shattered organization, to edu-
cate native clergy, to instruct a
growing generation which for years
was practically goddess. and to win
her way into the hearts of the plain
people, by demonstrating to them her
abiding interest alike in their tenn
poral and eternal welfare. Under the
circumstances I need hardly urge the
necessity of enjoining vigilance upon
our friends in connection with all
measures affecting Philippine affairs,
and also as to the character and fit-
ness of those chosen to administer
these affairs under the new regime