Catholic Church

Cardinal “Satolli,” holding a crosier, sits atop an enormous dome labeled “American Headquarters,” and casts a large shadow in the shape of Pope Leo XIII across the landscape of the United States, from New York City south through Washington, D.C., to the Gulf of Mexico and west to San Francisco. Several cities, some with buildings labeled “Public Schools,” are encompassed by the shadow of the Pope, including New York City, the U.S. Capitol building, “Memphis, New Orleans, El Paso, Denver, [and] San Francisco.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-09-05

John G. Ewing and his cousin, Father Thomas Ewing Sherman, are concerned that the Catholic Church in the United States represents people of many nationalities, many of whose “instincts and prepossessions are not American.” Recognizing the growing influence of Catholics in national life, Ewing believes that the appointment of bishops who uphold Americanism is necessary. He urges President Roosevelt to use his influence, including sending a representative to Rome, to ensure the appointment of bishops who support American ideals.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-23

Thomas B. Minahan, president of the American Federation of Catholic Societies, describes the formation, goals, and benefits of the federation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10

Pamphlet with statements from Catholic leaders supporting the American Federation of Catholic Societies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03

Judge Thomas McDonough reflects on his first three months in the Philippines. He is surprised at the “remarkable progress” and shares his thoughts on the friars’ question. McDonough is struggling with what to do with the land of the friars and the friars themselves.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-04

Members of the clergy sign a document labeled “Declaration of Dependence” and are joined together by long strings of beads that are held by Pope Leo XIII sitting on a chair in the left foreground. Cardinal John McCloskey is sitting at the table where the document is being signed, glaring at the Pope. The American Declaration of Independence, torn and crumpled, lies at his feet. Caption: Made at Cincinnati, on the 19th of March, in the year of the Republic 106, by the Fourth Provincial Council of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1882-04-12

Pope Leo XIII climbs through a ballot box in an effort to get to the sign on the wall that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion–Constitution.” Other notices pasted on a wall in the background state, “Every Catholic should rigidly adhere to the teachings of the Roman pontiffs…”; “All Catholics should do all in their power to cause the Constitutions of States and legislation to be modeled in the principles of the true church”; and “All Catholics … must penetrate wherever possible in the administration of civil affairs.” Each is noted as a “Papal Encyclical.” Caption: Through the ballot-box to the Constitution.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-11-18

A bull labeled “France” is being attacked by insects shaped like clerical figures, which cause it to kick with its hind legs, knocking Pope Pius X off a stool and overturning a bucket and spilling “Papal Revenues.”

Comments and Context

There is a French saying that France will never be anything if not Catholic; however of all the Roman Catholic countries through the centuries, and despite magnificent French cathedrals and associations, France probably has been the most aggressively anti-clerical of all countries. High (or low) moments in actions taken against the Church and papal authority have included the excesses of the French Revolution, and measures to restrict proselytizing, lessen government subsidies, and conform to various secular regulations.

The Council of Trent, and efforts by major figures like Ignatius of Loyola, sought reforms against the influence of the Church (and its corruption that often inspired opposition to the Church), yet anti-clericism remained rife in France. And the Church remained, and remains, part of the fabric woven into French life.

Bernard MacGillian is concerned that the Catholic Church is being ignored when selecting chaplains.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

Unknown

The Catholic World Magazine will be publishing brief appreciations of Pope Leo XIII from prominent non-Catholics in recognition of the Pope’s upcoming Silver Jubilee. Father Doyle requests that President Roosevelt contribute.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-12

Archbishop Ireland suggests that John Watson Foster lead the mission to the Vatican to discuss Filipino matters. At the end of January, Ireland plans to take up the “Storer matter” with Senator Foraker. The Archbishop is pleased that the citizens of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota approve of President Roosevelt’s leadership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-02

History and activities of St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart for Foreign Missions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

Governor General of the Philippines William H. Taft asks Attorney General Lebbeus R. Wilfley for his opinion in a dispute between the Independent Filipina Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Wilfley believes that the question should be tried in the courts and not handled by executive power. Taft then writes Archbishop Giovanni Battista Guidi regarding the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-02

The Angelus is seeking contributions and assistance in presenting a gift to Pope Leo XIII in honor of the jubilee of his pontificate.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-07

Overview of the Catholic Church in the United States and the potential effects of its growing “moral influence.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08

Newspaper article that relates Archbishop Ireland’s views on negotiations concerning the friars question in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Calculations of church claims, what amount was considered, and what was included in Military Reports.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-19

President Roosevelt thanks Father Belford for enclosing Father Wynne’s letter, which has been recently published in the Evening Post. Roosevelt refutes Wynne’s criticism of U.S. policy in the Philippines, and suggests that Wynne has “a lot to learn” before he is justified in issuing such criticism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-07-31

John Byrne congratulates President Roosevelt on the recent election results. Byrne is sure that Roosevelt will be one of the greatest presidents ever. He writes about the major issues the president must address. Roosevelt’s notes are at the top of page one.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-15

Secretary of War Taft disagrees with Bishop Rooker regarding the threat posed by Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente to the Philippine government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-22