The record-union., 1894-08-06
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
Inside History of Bishop Watterson's
Pastoral Letter.

Inside History OF 61SnoD WatterSon'S
Pastoral Letter.
COLUMBUS (O.), Aug. 5.-To an Asso-
ciated Press representative to-day Bishop
Watterson gave some interesting inside
history leading up to his now famous
pastoral letter on total abstinence and
Catholic societies, IN relation to manu-
facturers and vendors of intoxicants.
A week before Thanksgiving last year
member OF one of the Columbus socie-
ties belonging to the knights of st.
Johns Union told the Bishop of prepara-
tions making in their society for an en-
tertainment, at which beer was to be sold
and promiscuouS dancing indulged in.
After reproying the members the Bishop
received promise that the Objectionable
features would be omitted. Notwith-
standing this, the entertainment was held
as originally intended. When the Bishop
heard of this violation he refused to
longer recognize the members of the So
ciety as Catholic citizens.
In December, at the regular election of
the society, saloon-keepers, regardless OF
the Bishops wishes, were elected Presi-
dent and Captain, respectively. The
Bishop thereupon warned the members
if these officers were installed he would
deprive the whole division of its rank
and privileges as a Catholic society. The
society thereupon resolved to consult the
Supreme President of their union. This
the Bishop knew only after the appeal
was made. During visit to MonsignOr
Satolll in February, Bishop Watterson
in the meantime having heard a rumor
that an appeal had been made, asked the
delegate if such was the case. MOnsgnor
Satolli answered in the negative and the
Bishop decided to wait another month.
The very day, he says, on which the
pastoral letter was issued he was served
by the apostolic delegate with the appeal
of the society referred TO and the corre-
spondence with the local President re-
lating thereto.
The Bishops action in regard to the
society was upheld by Satolli. The
society was not satisfied, however, and,
hearing a delegate was to visit Columbus
in June, drew up second appeal, which
they asked the Bishop to sign, that it
might go Immediately to the delegate.
While this was going on in Columbus the
National Convention of st. John was
taking place in Buffalo, and few dele
gates from Columbus attempted the un-
precedented thing of arraigning Bishop
before convention of laymen. Many OF
the delegates were against such action,
however.
The second decision of the delegates is
dated July Sd. and addressed to the Sec
.retary of the protesting society. After
Satolli first lays down the general princi-
pie that as it belongs to the office of a
Bishop to find out in his own diocese what
is hurtful or helpful to the spiritual good
of the faithful, he says it belongs to his
power to commend, forbid, counsel or
permit to be done whatever he may judge
conducive to his own duty and the good
of the faithful.
'sThe letter of decree of the Right Rev
erend Bishop of Columbus concerning
Catholic societies and total abstinence to
abstain from intoxicating drinks" said
the delegate, fought by no means to be
subjected to the Judgment of every pri-
vate individual, or every assem- blage of
simple Catholics or citizens; but every
Catholic of good confidence must hold for
certain that the Bishop has commanded
these things which seem to be for the