Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-27
CATHOLICS AND THE KNIGHTS.
The Conference of ArchbishOps To-day,

From the Baltimore American
In obedience to call issued some time ago.
the archbishops Of the Catholic church In this
country will meet to-day at the cardinals resi-.
of discussing the question OF labor associations,
with special reference to the knights of Labor
| and their relation TO the church. Since the
edict of the pope to Cardinal Taschereau of
| Canada, condemning the Knights OF Labor in
| that province, considerable doubt has existed
in the minds of many persons whether or not
the edict also applied to America. A number
of leading clergymen of this city expressed
themselves at the time in favor of the knights
order, with, perhaps, certain notifications.
tone which had the effect OF reassuring many
of the friends and supporters of the organiza-
ton. This was ali right SO far as Baltimore was
concerned. but in certain cities of the west as
we'll as In New York, the discussions and differ
ences between the church and certain labor
orders assumed such grave proportions at times
that they sometimes led to accommodation
OF individuals. 1t is al open secret that Arch
bishop Corrigan, 0; New York, and Archbishop
kenrick, OF st. Louis, are both opposed to secret
organizations OF any kind.
The conference was called SO that all incon-
sistencies might be averted by the adoption of
| a certain rule to govern all dioceses upon the
question at issue. During the conference the
archbishops will inquire very carefully into
every detail, and will probably dissect the con-
| stitution OF the order. Unless their decision is
| unanimous the entire question will be submit
ted to Rome for adjudication. 1t is more than
| reached. The third penary council expressed
| Itself very fOrcibly against all kinds of secret
| societies. The admonitiOn of the previous
council respecting the laboring classes was
again quoted In these words "Care must be
taken lest workingmen's societies, under the
pretext OF mutual assistance and protection,
should commit any OF the evils of condemned
societies, and lest the members should be in
duced by the articles of designing men to break
the laws OF justice by Withholding labor to
which they are rightfully bound, or by other
wise unlawfully violating the rights of their
employers. But, while the church is thus care
ful to guard her children agains. whatever is
contrary TO Christian duty, she is no less careful
that no injustice should be done to any associa-
ton, however unintentionaly. While, there
fore, the church, before prohibiting any society,
will take every precaution to ascertain its true
nature, we positively forbid any pastor or other
eccleslastic to pass sentence on any association
or to impose ecclesiastical penalties or disablli-
ties on its members, without the previous ex-
plicit authorization of the rghtful authori-
ties"
Cardinal Gibbons, to reporter of the Ameri.
can, last night said that nOLhing concerning the
result OF the meeting would be given out for
several days.
Archbishop Williams, of Boston, arrived es-
terday, and is a guest at the cardinals house.
Archbishop kenrick, of ST. Louis, and all the
other archbishops will arrive to-day.