Rome Defies the Government in the Philippines.
By S.
The Philippines have been taken from Spain, but they are still held by Rome, and that power has no intention of having her grasp upon the islands loosened in any degree. If the islands are to be held by the United States, they must, Rome is determined, be held subject to the claims of the papacy and to the institutions she has planted there to hold the people under her dominion. The United States must come in either like Spain, as a partner with the papacy, or as an inferior power, subject to the papal authority. This purpose on the part of Rome is now, according to the Manila Times, being openly manifested by the papal partisans in that city. According to the Times of April 9 last, leaflets have been scattered broadcast in the churches of Manila, containing quotations from the pope, setting forth that the orders of the American government through its representatives there count for nothing as against the authority of the church. The leaflet quotes Archbishop Chapelle, who was sent to Manila by the administration to settle affairs there in harmony with the American policy, as saying repeatedly that “the church will and must do exactly what it wishes, without tolerating the slightest interference on the part of the government.” Other declarations made in this papal circular are as follows: “The commands of the church must be obeyed in the same manner as the law of God.386 “You must subject your own judgment to that of the church, and think exactly as the church thinks. “You must reject and condemn liberty of worship, liberty of the press, liberty of thought, and other liberties of perdition (as Pope Leo XIII. calls them) condemned and rejected by the church. “You must also reject and condemn liberalism, and also modern progress and civilization, as being false progress and false civilization. “You must also condemn and reject the interference of the civil authorities in any ecclesiastical affairs, so much in vogue nowadays. “Children must be educated solely in Catholic schools, and must be taught to condemn what the church condemns. “You must hold that the church is superior to the civil authorities, and reject and condemn the doctrine that the church should submit to the state, or that the state is independent or ought to separate itself from the church. “You must utterly abominate civil marriage, and regard it as pure concubinage.” (This refers to all marriages performed by Protestant ministers.) These and other like utterances are supported by quotations from the pope and the Catholic Scriptures. The circulars have, says the Times, been distributed at houses throughout the city, as well as in the churches. This is a plain defiance of the American government, and the significance of it all lies in the fact that it is done under the direction of one so well acquainted with the exact situation of things in America to-day as is Archbishop Chapelle. It lies in the fact that this papal prelate believes that under the existing situation Rome can successfully bid defiance to the American government in the islands, and bring the United States to her terms. If she can do this, she will have gained a tremendous victory. The administration deferred to the wishes and overtures of Rome touching the policy to be pursued in the islands, as being the best way to secure peace, and now Rome turns around and repudiates the administration and everything that is American. To quote further from the Times: “Civil marriages are established by general order of the Military Governor, and these truculent priests defy him and his general orders. Freedom of worship and freedom of thought are established in the proclamation of General Merritt on the occupation of Manila; again in the proclamation of President McKinley, published officially by General Otis in January, 1899; and again in the proclamation of the commissioners last April. These pamphlets disseminated broadcast in the churches and homes of Manila roundly ‘reject and condemn’ McKinley, Otis, Merritt, the commissioners and the American nation at large. Nay, more. They ‘reject and condemn’ the whole civilized world, calling modern civilization a false and reprehensible thing. They will not tolerate the existence of a civil government, except under the control of the church. They defy the state, they defy the United States government, and they forbid the trembling Filipinos to obey the law, on pain of the utmost penalties of eternal perdition.” This is the outcome of the frequent conferences between the President and Archbishops Ireland and Chapelle relating to the governmental policy to be pursued in the late Spanish possessions. Commenting on the report made by the Manila Times, the leading Methodist organ in Michigan says: “Thus it appears that the real war in the Philippines has been only fairly opened, and that it is to be a war to the knife, long and bitter. The priests have taken their stand, and are backed by the bishop of Manila and by Archbishop Chapelle, and unless President McKinley grapples immediately and decisively with the issue, the outcome may involve much trouble.” Very true; but is the President prepared to “grapple immediately and decisively with the issue?” Is he prepared, on the eve of the national political campaign, to alienate the Catholic vote in the United States by a manifestation of hostility to the papal program in Luzon? Rome, evidently, does not believe that he is. And all this shows how the American government, in following its imperial policy, is playing into the hands of Rome; and it is all natural enough, for Rome is an imperial power, and one form of imperialism has a natural affinity for other forms. While the United States remained a republic, it was naturally antagonistic to the papal system, which is a monarchy and a despotism of the purest type. The change from republic to empire must necessarily greatly strengthen the hands of Rome, and prepare the way for the final work of that power in the earth which is portrayed in the prophetic Word. S.