The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-04-29
AMONG MEXICAN CATHOLICS.

that am satisfied and trying to do my
duty by the priests and the people, as
good as | can. found but a small
number of priests mostly religious
order men, but a very Jealous and de-
voted clergy. If continue to enjoy
their loyalty and devotion, as l have
now for nearly 9 months, will feel
very much gratified and encouraged
to head this poor diocese ad multos
amos, quite willing to share with my
clergy the disappointments and pri-
vations peculiar to all missionary sec
tons of the Lords Vineyard.
Bieotry in South.
l do not wish to bore you with the
stereotype lamentations of poor
bishop of poor diocese; but l will
only draw attention to a situation
down here, which is so different from
situations in other parts of our land;
namely, the situation which your last
issue refers to under the caption OF
ITO CHECK BIGOTRY." know
just exactly how the people of Ell Paso
the proselyters. Similar activity, al
though not on such an extensive scale,
or in such an intensive, manner, con-
fronts my handful of American Cath
olics in this part of the land; in fact
there has been a quiet activity going
on, particularly in one section of my
diocese, ever since 1882. There have
been graduates from that school
(Catholics) who have turned out very
active and influential propagandists
against the Church, as l was told; and
at the present time, am told, there
are around 300 Catholic young Mexi.
can ladies, of the better, class of Mexi.
can families, attending the. institu.
ton. A few months ago substantial
brick building was opened for Mexi.
can girls, in an almost opposite direc-
ton, likewise in my diocese. Those
poor Mexican people are eagerly
sought by the proselyters; and it is
often disheartehing to the. mission,
aries and the few Sisters teaching the
few little schools we have, to see chill
dren going where they will, in time,
lose their faith, and, some day, join
the proselyters in the antagonism
against the Church of their parents
and forefathers.
Tricks Of Proseiyters.
just received a letter from one of
my priests, informing me that he was
sending me a marked copy of paper
in which would see what is going
on right now in the institution / just
mentioned He added the remark,
that if we could only get some outside
aid, just as the proselyters are get
ting generously from the North, we
would be able to soon close such in
situations, by drawing the children to
our own schools. 1t is a great prob.
lem. Outside aid is the only solution;
and for that reason I. was north for
nearly seven weeks, speaking in Chi
cago churches, with the gracious per-
mission of Archbishop Mundelein, of
priest friends, and taking up collec-
tions. / expect to return again some
time after Easter. / dislike to be
away so much from my diocese: but
if I stay here and mark time with my
poor clergy and the Sisters, we will be
at stand-still, and the proselyter will
make deeper inroads and make it so
much harder, afterwards, to keep our
own in the fold. Those poor Mexicans
are easily led; for the reason that
they are mostly illiterate and very
poorly instructed in their religion.
that looks like benefit to
their children appeals to them, no
matter from what source it comes.
Hence the proselyters cleverly adopt
the usually attractive humanitarian
methods with the ample funds at their
disposal, s;.g Is as
Need Of Schools.
| blessed a little brick school build
ing a few months ago--the only de,
cent little building within distance
of $50 miles Q rooms.
but properly equipped, which was
made possible through the generosity
of Catholic attorney of Philadelphia,
at an expense of $4,000. That amount
would not pay for a corner of school
buildings elsewhere: but it means
worlds to us down here; and If we
could only put up 10 more OF such
little buildings, we would make 1t very
for the proselyter who has
~ oIroocf All his nwn way at present