Gilpin observer., 1914-04-02
FATHER NAUGHToN
ISSUES STATEMENT

st. Mary's Rectory,
March 81, 1914
The Observer.
My dear Mr.. Editor:
regret exceedingly to be called
upon to make this public statement.
My honor, however, as a Catholic
priest, a citizen and a gentleman,
and the insult that has been offer
ed to me personally and my parish
oners and members of the Catholic
my dear sir, to the recent scene en-
acted here in Central City of rene
gade member of the Catholic church
being allowed to come to our COM
tise Gf he could) the Italian speak
ing members of my congregation and
malign both publicly and privately
my vocation as Catholic priest and
red and dear to us. Surely it was
sorry spectacle-the sight of
man laying claim to the intelligence
and dignity of a minister of the
gospel deliberately against all prin-
ciples of American justice and fair
play allowing any creature to misrep-
resent, villify and hold up to ridi-
cule in his church the religious be-
lief of the Catholic citizens of our
community. This was done, not on
ly by word of mouth, but also by
slanderous pamphlets, which were
distributed, one of which l have in
my possession, containing nothing
but the vilest and grossest misrep-
resentation of the Catholic church
and her teachings. This creature,
who displayed his ignorance of Cath
olic teachings and bigotry toward our
church in such wonderful fashion,
came, according to his own words,
with a message for the Italian speak
ing people of this community. The
only message he conveyed was to
malign and hold up to ridicule the
Faith of Their Fathers" in his fu
tile attempts to convert them over
to Methodism, and his presence here
was regarded as personal insult
by the Italian speaking and Catholic
people of this community.
Here let me remark in passing
that If there are any non!Catholic
citizens here, honest inquirers, anxi-
Gus to know the truth about the
Catholic church and her teachings,
then l ask them in the name of JUS
tice and fair play to come to me, the
authorized representative of that
church. My home and my church
are always open to them and they
can rest assured, moreover, they will
not hear one word against or in ridi-
cule of their belief no matter Of
what denomination, whilst l explain
our own.
! have little respect for any man
who cannot show the beauty and
reasonableness and force of his own
teachings without reflecting upon
those of other creeds. 1t speaks bad
ly for his understanding of them and
is. moreover. unfair. unjust. unChris-
tian like, and certainly thoroughly
unAmerican. Such has been the con-
duct of this man referred to and es-
pecially of those who were instrument
tai in bringing him here.
Personally really believe in my
heart, and have reason to from their
own expression to me, that the lead
ing members of this congregation did
not want this man here and were
heartily opposed to his coming.
Amongst these people in Gilpin coun-
ty l number many of my best friends
and regret exceedingly on their
account the humiliation they have
suffered. Personally, can say
truthfully that all my life I have
tried to remember and act according
ly that others have a right to their
opinion as we'll as myself, and | feel
that my past conduct in Central City
and Gilpin county will bear me out
in this.
We have no apologies to offer as
free men and Catholics in defense
Of our faith. History we'll attests
It's worth. / am proud OF my priest
hood and nationality and our glori-
Gus country. which gives everyone
the right to serve their Maker ac-
cording to the dictates Of their con.
science. I declare this. my dear sir,
with a sense Of outraged justice, for
can assure you that 1t hurts keen
ly to suffer undeserved reproach and
insult at the hands OF anyone who
deliberately tries to stir up spirit
of religious prejudice and dissension