The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-31
ESroneISG THE rorK.s DECREE.
How the Catholic odd Fellows and
ryshians VIII TO Reached.

Washington city. Dec. 3o.-The manner
Of executing the Catholic church edict
against membership In the Knights OF Py-
thias, odd Fellows and ether societies is
now receiving the careful consideration OF
the church authorities. Mgr Satoia has
transmitted the decision 10 the heads of
all the dioceses throughout the country,
and It remains for tnem 10 convey it 10
parish priests and for the latter TO give it
practical Application aud execution, each
having considerable laSituda as To how he
shall act. No time is set wishin which the
beads Of dioceses may act. Some aave al
ready notified their parish priests 10 read
the prohibition To their congregations
with the announcements preceding the
masses. Other bishops have not required
a public announcement 10 the congrega-
tions as the communications from Rome
and from Mgr. Sasolli do net direct a
formal publication. and they make it ef-
fectlye largely through the confessional
Il therefore may take some time for the
papai decree to become fully effective and
10 reach those persons who continue their
membership in secret societies after the
order Of the church becomes known. Com
mGnion Is not taken necessarily more
than once year. though it is customary
with most Catholics TO take the COM
munion, To which confession Is an abso-
lnte essential. at Easter.
Other means, however, are at hand for
speedily carrying the papal order into
practical effect. There are published lists
of the members of knights of Pythias
and other societies, 90 that the Catholic
members of them ere readily ascertain
able. Should these members remain
away from confession beyond year.
they would thereby cut themselves or
from the church. IL they attended confess
sion they would voluntarily abandon their
society connections and receive absolu-
ton. or else be examined on the subject,
and IL refusing to abandon their connec-
tions. absolution would be Withheld. This
would also operate TO cut OFF the church
member from communion, and therefore
from membership in the church. No
formal accommodation would be reoui-
site. 1t Is pointed out that the church
decision viii be more important in keep
ing Catholics from joining the prohibited
societies in the future. In this respect
the church authorities say the decision
should not be construed as against the
knights OF Pythias, Odd Fellows. etc.
but only as a rule of conduct enjoined on
members of the church whereby the
church retains control OF the conscience
OF its members. instead of letting them
be bound by secret oaths.
Nashville, Dec. 30.--Dr. r. L. White. SUI
preine keeper of records and seals, OF the
Knights of Pythias, in an interview com
corning the order ana the recent papai
edict says: 1T seems that IL is q matter
which each individual must settle for
himself. The man who considers himself
his Own master in worldly affairs will re-
main in the order IL he is devoted to its
principles. i have talked with several
Catholic Knights of I'ythias concerning
the question. and they all say they in
tend 10 remain In the order. The su-
preme lodge had decreed that each mem
her must be loyal 10 the government un-
der which he lives. You can see where
that would fail to please the pore.
Tacoma. Dec co. Special The a. +. A.
thave adopted resolutions inviting the Sc
cret societies referred to In the papal
edlct 10 meet With them next Sunday and
discuss It.