The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-22
ADVICE TO CATHOLICS
FURTHER REGARDING MGR. sATOL-
LIS ANTI-LIQUOR DECISION.
Bishop WattersOn's Decree and the
Apostolic Delegates Letter APP
proving and UphOIding 1t.

COLUMBUS, o., July 21-RiShOp John y.
Watterson. of Columbus. has just returned
from the Catholic summer school at
Plattsburg. n. Y. He says the decision of
Mgr. Satolli has not up to the present mo-
ment been given TO the press and conse-
quently the comments on it, some of which
are misinterpretations. have come from
surmiSe more than anything else. The let
ter of the apostolic delegate is addressed
through Bishop Watterson to the secre-
tary of those who appealed from the
bishops regulations concerning Catholic So
cieties in their relation not only TO saloon
keepers but to all engaged in the liquor
traffic. 1t is wider than diocesan in it's
influences, for il affirms the general princi-
pie in which bishop acts on such things
and approves of its special application in
this particular matter and says that
every Catholic of good conscience must
hold that what Bishop Watterson has de-
creed for his own diocese is for the great
g. good of religion and of every Catholic
society. On Feb. "a last one of the Catho-
lie societies in Columbus appealed from a
special decision of the Bishop in its re-
gard. On March 10 the apostolic delegate
affirmed the Bishops action. and, not salts
fled with this. some of the members of
societies in Columbus appealed again. The
first decision was special to the appealing
society, but the second decision, which is
dated July 3, upholdS the Bishops action
Il. regard to all societies i'm the diocese of
Columbus. fr fu
The above statements are exact and have
been inspected by the Bishop. The three
points referred TO in the apostolic delegates
letter are taken from the letter issued by
BishoD Watterson 10 the clergy of the CO.
lumbus diocese March l in which he with
drew his probation from every Catholic
society or branch in the diocese that has a
LIQUOR dealer or saloon keeper at it's head
or among its officers. and he suspended
every such society from its ranks and
privileges as Catholic society until IL
ceased TO be so Differed. He again pub
lished the condition that would be
admitted to membership who was engaged
either principal or agent in the manu-
facture and sale of liquors. While not con-
demning the liquor business itself by re-
StrictonS, he did ii to increase the useful
ness of Catholic societies and remove the
reproach which has frequently attached to
them and the members, to the detriment
of religion. With societies long established
in the diocese, because of benefit insurance
features, he would not interfere. but he
would insist on the rule for new societies
and the admission of new members in the
old. The Bishop instructs the priests to
make known to the organizations in their
parishes the rule and 10 have 1t faithfully
observed. Should any saloon keepers in the
parish treat the rule in a defying way the
priests are asked TO refuse them absolution
should they come to receive the Sacraments,
unless they promise to cease offending.
The letter of Mgr Satoli was written at
Washington on July 3. and is follows:
Dear Sir-l answer your letter which,
together with the document inclosed there
in 0he Bishops letter. you handed me dur
ing my stay in Columbus AS far as the
general principles is concerned, you should
know that as il belongs TO the office of a
bishop to observe in his diocese what
is hurtful or helpful to the spiritual good
of the faithful, so il belongs TO his power TO
command. prohibit, counsel or permit to be
done, removed, whatever he judges to
contribute to the discharge of his own duty,
and to the good of the faithful.
THE letter decree of the right Rever-
end Bishop of Columbus concerning Catho-
lie societies. and the abstinence to be OBJ
served from intoxicating liquors. ought
by no means, TO be subjected to the judg
-ment of every private individual or of every
association of simple Catholic or citizens.
but every Catholic of good conscience must
hold for certain that the bishop has COM
manded those things which seem to be for
the greater good of the faithful and the
honor of every Catholic society.
These three things which are expressed
in the letter of the Right Reverend Bishop
Rave the approval not only of Catholics,
but of nOrcatholiCs of your city, because
laws of the church. but they are also sea
sonable and necessary TO the honor of the
church. especially in the State of Ohio
Therefore, those things which the Right
Reverend Bishop has commended in his
decree. / approve, and l decide that they
are 10 be observed. Put IT, perhaps, they
for the tire being, seem to hurt the ma
terial interests of some, this will have TO
be patiently borne for the good of the many
Church.
Remain. therefore, of good will and
obey faithfully what the Right Reverend
Bishop has decreed. confident that divine
Providence rewards the spirit of obedience,
not only in the future but also in the pres
ent time Farewell in the Lord.
FRANCIS ARCHBISHOP SATOLII"
Apostolic Delegate"