Catholic Church

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

The Jesuit order is influential in Eugene A. Philbin’s area and is speaking out against the removal of the friars in the Philippines. Philbin believes the charges against the friars are well founded and supports their expulsion. Philbin requests permission to show President Roosevelt’s letter to the local Jesuits to demonstrate the administration’s position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-15

Resolutions passed by American Augustinians

The American Augustinians are upset at what they perceive as discrimination against the friars of the Philippines by the U.S. government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-16

Letter from John H. Magruder to Theodore Roosevelt

John H. Magruder believes that Catholics will be very upset if the friars in the Philippines are simply evicted, which could lead to serious political repercussions. He suggests that these friars be put under the authority of Cardinal Gibbons, who will quickly sort out the problem and potentially send the friars to a different country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-16

Letter from the Society of the Holy Name to Theodore Roosevelt

Enclosed copy of resolutions adopted by the New York City St. Catherine of Siena Branch No. 47 of the Holy Name Society.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-16

The federation convention

Summary of the proceedings and resolutions of the annual meeting of the American Federation of Catholic Societies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-09

Letter from Thomas C. Middleton to Theodore Roosevelt

Chairman Middleton summarizes a set of resolutions passed by the American Augustinians regarding the friars of the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-17

Telegram from William H. Taft to Elihu Root

Governor Taft sends the Vatican’s agreement on a policy for the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-18

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Root offers his thoughts on mollifying American Catholics with regard to the friars question in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-19

Letter from Elihu Root to John Ireland

Secretary of War Root is concerned about Catholic reaction to Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft’s negotiations with the Vatican regarding the removal of the friars from the Philippines. Root believes that a great deal is being accomplished in Rome and that U.S. Catholic complaints are veiled attempts to halt negotiations. He hopes that Archbishop Ireland recognizes the benefit of such negotiations and elects to address the concerns of American Catholics accordingly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-19

Letter from John Ireland to Elihu Root

The Vatican is only willing to allow friars to be removed from parishes and in John Ireland’s opinion the government should not ask for more.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-01

Letter from William H. Taft

Governor Taft is primarily concerned with various policies for the Philippines and gives his opinion on who should be part of the next Philippine Commission. He is also working on an agreement with the Vatican and goes over his social activities while in Rome.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-05

Proclamation by L. Loosin

Governor Loosin endorses a proclamation of freedom of religion in the Philippines, in response to a dispute between local citizens and several friars.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-09

Letter from Arthur W. Fergusson to Ceferino Joven

Arthur W. Fergusson requests a response regarding the friar in Lubao.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-20

Summary of letter from T. B. Connery

T. B. Connery suggests that if President Roosevelt let the Papal Delegate know he desired Bishop Spalding’s appointment as archbishop it would be granted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-28

Letters from Ceferino Joven to the Executive Secretary to Governor General William H. Taft

Governor Joven responds to a request from Governor General Taft for a report regarding the tensions with the Catholic friars in his province. Joven encloses two letters he received from the municipal president of Lubao, Eugenio Fernandez. There is a great deal of animosity between the friars and the people of Lubao. Fernandez fears for the friars’ safety and cannot guarantee it if they choose to stay in the city. In the ten days that passed between Fernandez’s two letters, one friar died (naturally), a second returned to Manila, and a third was waiting to hear from the bishop.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-25

Partial report on ringing church bells

One page of a report including correspondence from the parish priest in Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines. The priest requests that the prohibition against ringing church bells early in the morning be lifted, to allow his parishioners to celebrate Christmas as they have been accustomed to do. Governor General William H. Taft responds by referring the issue back to the municipal authorities.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-24

Telegram from Charles F. De Mey to Luke E. Wright

Charles F. De Mey, President of the Board of Health for Pampanga Province in the Philippines, notes that the cemetery at Arayat is full but the local priest insists on continuing burials. De Mey wants to know if anyone has the authority to close the cemetery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-08

Letter from J. F. Corrigan to Theodore Roosevelt

J. F. Corrigan thanks President Roosevelt for the respect shown during the death of his brother, Archbishop Michael Corrigan of New York.  Corrigan says that his brother Archbishop Corrigan spoke fondly of a meeting he had with Roosevelt in Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-10

Letter from Addison Thomas to George B. Cortelyou

Addison Thomas believes that there is too much Catholic influence in Washington and at the White House, including widespread Catholic plans to influence American policy and leaders. Thomas claims the United States is a Protestant nation and should remain so. He is upset that the administration gave Episcopalian Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple’s work among the Indians to the Roman Catholics. Thomas points out previous presidents did not do so, but President Roosevelt allows visits and appoints some Catholics to posts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-23

Letter from John Ireland to Theodore Roosevelt

Archbishop Ireland sends several enclosures, including letters from John Schroers, Richard C. Kerens, and Father James J. Keogh. The topic of the letters is Bellamy Storer. Regarding the matter of the Germania in Milwaukee, Ireland placed this in the hands of Keogh. Ireland acted out of his own responsibility without dropping the name of President Roosevelt except to ask the writers of the letters to address the letters to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-26