Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-12-31

Molly Msgufres ENcOsnm unicated
by Archbishop Wood.

Molly Magufres Exc0smmunicated
by Archbishop wood.
The following pastoral has been issued
by Archbishop Wood:
James Frederick, by the grace of God
and the favor of the Apostolic See, Arch
bishop of Philadelphia,
TO the IIenToJle ClsrGg and B1|oted People
f tie Lajfu, Greeting: Pence and Bene-
9icii0a.
For every one who doeth evil hateth the
light, and cometh not to the light, that his
works may mol be reproved.-St. John,
chapter III, verse 20
1t is fact too well known to need any
proof at this day that the Catholic Church
through The revered head, the Sovereign
PontifI, has again and again condemned
and centured ali secret societies, properly
socalled, as dangerous to civil society and
injurious to the interests of religion; that
she has warned her children to beware OF
permitting themselves to be induced by the
prospect Off any real or imaginary advan-
tage to enter such societies that she has
by the threat of accommodation to be in
Cured 'DsO fGct0 striven 10 prevent their
associatiug themselves with them, %nd
that by the infiction OF the severest eccles-
iastical censures on those who have allow
ed themselves to be associated, she has
endeavored to withdraw them from these
influences, which enlighte1ed by the spirit
of God and the sad admonitions of past
experience she knows to be fatal TO sound
faith, christian piety and good morals.
As we know from most reliable sources,
and, indeed, of our own personal knowl-
edge, that most insidious efforts have been
made and are being made in many parts
of our diocese, and probably throughout
the whole country, to blind and deceive the
faithful and to entanglc them in the mesh
es and shackles Of these unlawful and for
hidden societies, it becomes our duty to
call to the minds of our people the action
of the Church iu this matter to warn
them from any alliance with them, and
earnestly to exort all who IN ay have viola
ted this prohibition Of the Church in this
these evil associations and by a speedy and
sincere penance to seek reconciliation with
the church.
To say nothing about the Masons, Odd
Fellows, Sons of Temperance, &c, about
whose condemnation no doubt can exist,
these societies are known as the National
brotherhood, lately condemned by the
Bishops of Ireland, the Fenian Brother
hood, whose efforts to aggregate numbers
to their association in this country are un-
scrupulous and unccasing, and the Nollie
Maguires, otherwise the Ancient Order Of
Hibernians, or the Buck-shots and various
others whose spirit is equally Objectionable
and whose names seem to be selected rath-
er to conceal than to indicate Of object Of
their association.
We admonish all our reverend clergy af-
secti onally TO instruct and warn their flocks
calling TO their minds the spirit of Gocility
and obedience which should animate them
and the holy alacrity with which they
should labor, to confirm themselves in all
things to the commands and desires OF
the church, and to avoid, with the most
scrupulous care, all that she disapproves
and condemns TO place before them Oh
the one hand the reward and blessings
which will follow such 4 course, aud on
the other hand the true character Of the
extreme ecclesiastical censurc which con-
trary mode of action will precipitate upon
them.
Thus, by the united and harmonious ac'
ton of pastors and people we shall neutral
ize the bad influences which misguided
mistaken and perverse men attempt tC
force upon Us, and shall preserve our faitl
uutainteG, our piety active and vigorou:
and our morals pure.
So let your light shine before men, tina
they may see your good works, aud glorify
your Father who is in heaven.-St
Matthew, 9Th chapter 10th verse.
And the peace of God, which eurpooecti
all understanding, keep your hearts anC
| minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.--Phil., 4tt
chapter 9TH verse.
james FREDERICK,
Archbishop Of Philadelphia.
Dec. lJlh, 1919.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. l., 1875.