September 26: The Troublesome Dominicans

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is September 26th, and our story is The Troublesome Dominicans. While editing the letters of Charleston's Bishop John England, his successor Bishop Ignatius A. Reynolds described the Diocese of Philadelphia in its early days as a deranged mess. The description was apt.

First, in 1822, the Hogan Schism exiled Philadelphia's second bishop, Henry Conwell, from his own cathedral. Then, in July 1828, two troublesome Dominicans stationed at the cathedral dragged the federal government into the mess. The second bout of trouble began in early 1828, when Pope Leo XII called Bishop Conwell to Rome and ordered the Dominicans to Cincinnati with hopes of diffusing tensions in Philadelphia.

Conwell complied immediately. The priests, however, wrote to President Andrew Jackson protesting the order. In their letter, they contended that a sovereign ruler, like the Pope, should have no say over where American citizens live or work. They also suggested that Jackson should view any attempt by the Pope to exercise such authority as an infringement upon America's national sovereignty.

The President referred the matter to the U.S. State Department. The State Department sided with the Dominican priests, and a U.S. envoy warned the Vatican to back off and let the priests do as they pleased. Meanwhile, back in America, the priest left in charge of Philadelphia, Father William Matthews, tried explaining to the State Department that while the men were bound by oath to obey the Pope, any punishments they incurred for their disobedience would be spiritual.

Pope Leo XII had no plans of sending troops to Philadelphia. The men were free to stay or go. Only if they stayed, they couldn't remain in good standing with the church. The State Department didn't budge. Finally, Bishop England intervened. On September 26, 1828, England wrote to President Jackson, reiterating Father Matthew's arguments, and reminding him that the federal government could not interfere in ecclesial affairs.

The next day, Jackson personally assured England that he would take no further action. By that point, however, the question was somewhat moot, as the troublesome Dominicans had already fled to Ireland, never to be heard from again. Today, reflect on a situation where you must balance responsibility, authority, and conscience. Pray for guidance in navigating it with integrity.

Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, September 27th, for another story of faith and courage in America.