The Catholic Population in America
THE number of Catholics in this country is usually stated at something over seven millions, but a late number of America, a Chicago journal, publishes figures showing that their numbers have been greatly under-estimated. It says:— "The Catholic hierarchy in the United States has existed just one hundred years. The chancellors of the various dioceses furnish figures in consequence of this centennial, which show that there are in round numbers 12,000,000 Catholics in this country. The New England and Middle States have 5,822,831, the Western States 5,117,565, and the Southern States 1,215,576. There are 8,118 priests, 7,353 churches, 1,480 chapels, 32 theological seminaries, 125 colleges, 549 academies, and 2,799 parochial schools, having 597,196 scholars. There are also 73 bishops, 13 archbishops, and 1 cardinal." The significance of these figures lies in the fact that if they are correct one-fifth of the people of this country follow the leadership of the Pope. If they are "good" Catholics they owe their highest allegiance to the Roman pontiff. "If," says America, "they are not Catholics first and American citizens second, then they are not loyal followers of the Pope, according to the belief of that astute politician and seeker after temporal power."