The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-03-28
AN EPOCH MAKING
DECISION RENDERED
Protestant Guardian Removed for
Attempting to Influence Cath
olic Wards
Tries to Have Catholic Children
Placed in Methodist Institutions
Baptized Children of Catholic Par
ents the Object of Proselytizers

Commenting upon the decision "The
Tablet" of Brooklyn remarks:
A notable decision, and one that is
almost unprecedented in this section,
and of great importance from the
standpoint of the Church, was handed
down on March Is by Surrogate
Noble Of Queens County. The Surro-
gate ordered the removal of Mrs.
Flavia Daddario Of Astoria as guard
ian of Marie, Antonio, Adelina and
Fioriggio Di Monte, on the ground that
she had endeavored to change their
religion from that of their parents,
who were Catholics.
The decision says:
THE testimony given on the trial
of this matter sustains the petition in
every respect except that l do not be-
lieve the guardian intended to deceive
the court by stating in her petition
that she was the aunt of the infants,
instead Of their cousin.
THE acts complained of, in view
Of the decisions and according to the
common law, are sufficient to cause
the removal of the guardian and the
appointment of one who will give the
infants proper religious, moral and
mental training.
"The guardian is, therefore, re.
moved. There being no relative in
this country to whom the care and
custody Of the persons and estates
of the infants can be given as guard
ian. would suggest that the Rev.
Father James ]. Higgins make appli-
cation for that purpose"
The four children who are re.
spectfvely 4, Z, 3 and II years of age,
are now inmates of the Home main
tained by the Industrial School AS
sociation, at 13l South Third street,
Brooklyn, where they are supported
by the Methodist church. but Father
Higgins will be appointed their guard
ian and they will be removed at once
TO the care of Roman Catholic in
stitutiOn.
The Surrogate's decision follows q
litigation lasting several months,
which was based on an allegation that
unwarranted proselyting by the
guardian caused the children to be
baptised as Protestants three days af-
ter their mothers death, on Decem-
Der 10, 1913. On January %, 1914, the
action was tried before Surrogate No
BILE and it was conclusively proved
that both the father and mother of
the children were Catholics and re-
ceived the last rites of the Catholic
Church Immediately prior to their
deaths. 1t was also shown that the
four children were baptized as is Gus.
tomary almost at once after their
births, in the Catholic Church, and
that the parents never consented to
having their children's religion
changed
Immediately after the mothers
death, Protestant cousin of the
children, Flavia Daddario, of 1859
Van Alst avenue, Astoria, caused the
children to be baptised by Rev. v.
Ambrosini. who presides over the
Italian Methodist Episcopal Church
in Astoria. A few days later, appli-
cation was made to the Department
Of Public Charities by this same cou-
sin, for the commitment of the four
children to non-Catholic institution,
as public charges. This application
was made through Mr.. Ambrosini
and missionary worker of Brooklyn
named Mrs. Locke. DR.. Higgins felt
sure that such an instant and unwar-
ranted change of religion would not
be recognized In a city department
and the city authorities thus made to
assist In proselyting scheme; SO,
upon learning of Mr.. Ambrosini's ap-
plication, he entered a protest with
Mr. Dodworth, superintendent of the
Children's Bureau of the Department
of Charities, filing at the same time,
baptismal certificates proving the
Catholic baptism of the children. The
department proposed an investiga-
tion, whereupon the proselytizers,
knowing how fragrant their case was
and that 1t could not stand the light
of an investigation, withdrew their
application and had the children com.
mitted to q nom Catholic institution
as private charges, which, Of course
ended the matter as far a. the De
partment Of Charities was concerned
However, not to be frustrated Il
coatinusd o. Page I. !.