Pope Praises American Government's Treatment of Church
IN an interview in London, October 1, Archbishop Ireland said:— In one of the audiences which he granted me, the pope said: “We are well pleased with the relations of the American government to the church in Cuba and the Philippines. The American government gives proof of good will, and exhibits a spirit of justice and respect for the liberty and rights of the church. You will thank, in my name, the President of the republic for what is being done.” . . . Furthermore, Cardinal Rampolla said that on no less than three different occasions petitions had been sent to the Vatican, in the name of the Filipino leaders, asking that direct, official relations be opened between them and the Vatican, but the Vatican has always refused to listen to such petitions, out of consideration for the American government. Of course it is a good deal better for the papacy for her to have the United States, through which to deal with the Filipinos, than to deal with them herself direct. And that the United States is filling the place so satisfactorily to the pope, is a matter of deep interest in itself.