Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1898 — Catholics Are Patriots. [ARTICLE]

Catholics Are Patriots.

Warlike Sermon Preached by Rev. Father Neiberg at Sedalia Mo. Rev. Father Neiberg, a former very popular pastor of St. Augustine’s Catholic church in Rensselaer, and now in charge of an important congregation at Sedalia, M 0.,. preached a very patriotic sermon, last Sunday, the following report of which appeared in the Chicago Chronicle: Sedalia, Mo., April 10—The probability of war between the United States and Spain brought forth an unusually- patriotic sermon from Rev. Father Stanislaus Neiberg, pastor of Sacred Heart church, this city, at 10 o’clock mass this morning. In the course of his remarks he stated that he despised sensationalism and sensational utterances, but so many false statements had been made in regard to the attitude of the Catholics of America in the event of war that he desired to place the church right with those who are not familiar with its teachings. From infancy, he said, Catholics were taught obedience; not only obedience to their spiritual advisers, but also to the ruling power of their country. If war with Spain is declared, said the priest, President McKinley will have no more ardent supporters in the United States than the members of the Catholic church and the speaker himself would be one of the first to enlist under the stars and stripes as a chaplain if he could obtain permission from his superiors. In conclusion Father Neiberg asked the prayers of the congregation in behalf of the president that he might be directed aright by an all-wise providence in the event of war. The large auditorium was filled to the doors, many being Protestants, and it was only with great restraint that an outburst of applause was prevented.