UNITED STATES.—Porto Rico.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 7 August 1902, Page 24

UNITED STATES.— Porto Rico.

Bishoip Blenk, of San Juan, Porto Rico, was at Mount St. Mar.y's College, Emmitsburg, Mtl., recently^ when he made the following interests ing' statements concerning his diocese. Tho Church in Porto Rico, it may bo remarked, has come in for a great deal of criticism from tho Protestant missionaries who have gonql thero since the acquisition of the island by the United States. ' Yes, I am from Porto Rico,' said Bishop Blenk, ' and perhaps I should say something of that little island. What knows but that some of you have heard things discreditable to the. Church in Porto Rico, and that youij hearts have been filled with pity fon that littlo island ? I am supremely! gratified to say that you need not blush for the Catholicity of Porto Rico. I inako no claim of being aj prophet, but I have tho deepest conviction that in a few years Porto Rico will be ono of the grandest and) most fervid Catholic dioceses under tho Stars and Stripes.' Bishop Blenk further stated (says tho

' Sacred Heart Review ') that in hfs dealings with United States officials ho has met with straightforward) treatment, and ho feels satisfied that? tho government means to be perfectly fair to the Church. Among other encouraging movements in thd island, ho referred to tiho association of Catholic laymen which was formed] to act m unison with tho Church authorities in admsting Church affairs to the new order of things.