The Catholic Centennial.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 391, 14 December 1889, Page 3

The Catholic Centennial.

The centennial celebration held in Baltimore for three days, commencing November lltb, commemorating the establishment of the hierarchy of the Konian Catholic Church iq the jjnjted States in 1789, attracted widespread attention being really a congress of people of that faith in America. There were 12,000 delegates. Every State and Territory was represented, and the leading dignitaries of the Church not only in the United States, but in Canady''And Mexico, wenrpre* sent. When the name of the Pope was mentioned there was great cheering and waving of hats by the delegates, and this incident being cabled to. Rome, the Pontiff, Cardinal Bftmpilla, wired bis blessing to all members of the congress. Daniel Dougherty, of New York, a prominent politician and an ornate orator, made the opening address, in which he said that the discovery of America, its subsequent progress, and all that was good and great in the history of thp United States, wgs due to Catholicism* With* out tnfi Romen Catholic Church, America to-day would be unknown. His speech was received with tremendous enthusiasm. A. committee waited upon President Harrison with the request that he would be present' at the deliberations of the Congress. The President said in reply that while he appreciated the compliment, hie official duties would prevent him being present, but he would attend the opening of the Catholic University in Baltimore on November 14th. While many resolutions were intro4uced, having for their object the strengthening and'liberalising of the RpuiftU Catholic Church in .America, probably the most radical among them all was one lifting the Ban from secret sooieties, excepting the Masonic order, and a strong effort is being made’ to include this and so make the privilege complete.