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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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-22
President Roosevelt informs Governor Taft that he will speak with Cardinal Gibbons regarding the influence of the friars on the Filipino movement for a church independent of the Catholic Church. Roosevelt requests Taft’s opinon on the effect of Apolinario Mabini’s return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-26
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Taft to consult with Cardinal Francesco Satolli about appointing Archbishop J. J. Harty to succeed Bishop Giovanni Battista Guidi in the Philippines. Roosevelt also suggests that Taft make it clear to Satolli that the Catholic Church’s influence in the Philippines would be greatly diminished if the island gains its independence, and that Catholics who vote for the Democrat Party should be mindful that their vote could mean the triumph of the Agilpayan Church. Roosevelt requests, moreover, that Satolli consider making a Polish-American priest from Buffalo, Father John Pitass, vicar-general.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-29
Judge Tracey writes to President Roosevelt from the Philippines regarding a judicial controversy over church buildings there. The supreme court has been waiting for a fitting case that would address the issue neatly, without involving too many extraneous questions that could result in the decision being too broadly applied. There are other tensions between the church and the government, as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-24
Thomas A. Hendrick, Roman Catholic Bishop of Cebu, writes to Civil Governor Wright to provide an account of his travels in the Philippines, where he is surprised to find widespread anti-Americanism and a poor reception of Roman Catholicism, especially in areas where the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Aglipayan church) has a strong presence. Services are sparsely attended, parishes lack priests, church buildings are in disrepair, and Catholics are being threatened. Local government officials in several towns are Aglipayan church members, and Hendrick believes they may be intimidating the citizens. Hendrick feels that the Aglipayan effort is actually an attempt to drive out Americans rather than a religious difference and that government intimidation has also slowed economic output of the villages. He suggests an investigation into local government officials.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-15
Cardinal Merry del Val writes Secretary of War Taft to recommend that the United States side with the Roman Catholic Church in its opposition to Gregorio Aglipay and the Philippine Independent Church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-29
The Bishop of Jaro, Philippines, Frederick Z. Rooker, informs President Roosevelt of the new Philippine Independent Church, known as the Aglipayan Church after its founder, which was created in schism with Rome and about which Rooker expresses deep reservations. Rooker also criticizes Philippine Governer-General Taft for being overly accommodating to the Aglipayans. Rooker specifically requests the establishment of a strong American governmental presence in the Philippines, that the “insurrectos” currently holding political office be removed, and that all former Catholic Church property be restored.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
Underground revolutionary activity, led by Artemio Ricarte, continues in the Philippines and succeeded in forming a mutiny in the Philippine Constabulary near Vigan. Ricarte is currently on the run and several secret service men are on his trail. Governor Wright remains confident in the loyalty of native forces. Sixto Lopez attempted to return to the Philippines but once again refused to take the oath of allegiance and returned to Hong Kong. The Aglipayan movement is strong in several provinces and is creating tensions with the Catholic Church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-15
Series of exhibits highlighting religious issues in the Philippines, including disputes between religious and municipal authorities, opposition to the friars, and conflict between the Catholic Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903
Summaries of 105 incidents related to religious controversies throughout the Philippines. The incident and the action taken by the government is described for each event.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-22
Governor Taft lays out guidelines on the separation of church and state for Filipino officials, especially regarding property disputes between the Catholic Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-10
Governor Taft is working towards finding a land settlement with the Catholic Church in the Philippines, which has been complicated by the success of a schismatic independent Filipino church. Taft thanks President Roosevelt for allowing him to remain as Governor of the Philippines and apologizes for any embarrassment that was caused when the President had to find a new appointee for the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-27
Governor Taft lays out guidelines on the separation of church and state for Filipino officials, especially regarding property disputes between the Catholic Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-10
This series of communications discusses a dispute between the Catholic Church and the Philippine Independent Church over the right to perform mass at a church in Malabon. The Catholic bishop ordered that non-Catholics cannot observe the mass in this Catholic chapel. The priests refused to let the Philippine Independent Church perform the mass and withheld a sacred stone for the observance. Correspondence includes a lengthy piece of canon law regarding the ownership of public and private chapels or oratories.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-09
Text includes a series of communications relating to a dispute over the rights to a church between Catholics and the Philippine Independent Church. There was an altercation at the church altar related to an attempt by a schismatic bishop, Gregorio Algapay, to take over the Catholic chapel. The police were called and two priests were arrested in this physical altercation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-26
Governor Taft discusses Filipino issues and politics. He discusses his decline of a place on the Supreme Court. He mentions the problem between the Roman Catholics and the Independent Filipino Catholic Church in regard to the ownership of church buildings. There is fear of a famine, so the government has bought some rice to support the people. Taft asks for a congressional appropriation of around $3 million for the purchase of cattle because of the loss of many cows. He is against the return of Apolinario Mabini, currently under arrest for insurrection. Taft discusses the possible appointment of Bowers with approval and President Roosevelt’s handling of the trusts. He fears the populists’ calls for destroying all trusts and moneyed interests, but sees the problem with the current setup.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-09