Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-03
NOT AGAINST THE
NOT AGAINST THE kNIGHTS.
Position OF the Catholic Church-A
Statements by Archbishop Gibbons
Regarding the OrSaniEatiOn.
erican, to-day,

From the Baltimore American. to-day.
Archbishop Gibbons has made a statement
regarding the position OF the Catholic church TO
the Knights OF Labor and the stand taken by
Archbishop Taschereau. OF Canada The arch
bishop said: Archbishop Taschereau's con-
domination of the Knights Of Labor should not
be taken as the sentiment OF the church to-
wards the organization. l am not familiar
with the labor organization In Quebec, but il is
certain that the archbishop's hostility grew out
OF some local laws or conduct Of the knights
which are contrary to the doctrine OF the
church. AS to the Knights of Labor organiza-
ton ia the United States, have not thoroughly
examined their constitution or studied Ineir
purposes; yet, from reading the newspapers
and Mr.. Powderlys public statements, infer
that the objects of the knights are praise
worthy and in no way opposed TO the views OF
the church The Catholic prelates will 10 u
man declare in favor OF the organization OF
LABOR. There can be no wrong liz such "A course
as that Organization is the basis OF all pro-
gress-politlcai, social and religious. Only when
cali out her Children"
"Was it not on account OF secret pledges
taken by the Knights that Archbishop Tasch-
ereau hurled ON them his anathema?" asked
the interviewer.
THAT do not know" replied the cardinal.
"As L told you, have no knowledge of the
workings OF the local societies in Canada
Whether or not SUCH pledges are taken by the
knights here Is aquestion on which more
light should be thrown by their leaders Vicar
Gen. Conway, OF Chicago, who examined
the constitution of the body carefully as
sures me T., at IL bears no resem blauce 10 that
OF the Free Masons, Odd Fellows and other
organizations which the church had ALWAYS
antagOniZed. A distinction must be made
TOO, to the nature OF the secret pledges A.
the church has been greatly IN .srepresented
on this point, would like you to stale clearly
its position. We hold that IL u man joius "A
society. swearing never TO reveal any of its
workings, no matter how criminal, and TO
obey the dictates OF its officers blindly he
surrenders his personal liberty, becomes a
slave TO his fellow men, and cannot pa,rtake
OF the sacralnents Of the church. Such an
oath Is taken by the prevalent secret socie-
tie hence their condemnation by the clerg,4
On the other hand, II q man joins an orsani-
cation, swearing TO keep secret its workings,
with the proVlso that nothing therein shall be
contrary TO the laws OF the land, to his con-
science and religious tenets, we hold that his
action Is perfectly UNSUITABLE. The whole
question as TO the church's attitude towards the
oatns the members take. Ii the latter, and in
accordance with Mr.. Powderiy's statements.
then the church says 10 the knights, God
speed YOU Ii, however, the absolute blind
pledge Is taken, no matter how laudable the
objects OF the society are, the church can never
countenance IL, and will call on her children
10 withdraw under the pain of excommun
cation. SC, everything depends on the proviso.
Don't understand me rs criticistng Archbishop
Taschereau. He Is the primate Of the church
in Canada, and would not have taken such de-
cisive action without q firm conviction that
the local knights had something In their laws
or pursued some methods that were against the
churchS doctrines"