The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-27
COMES DIRECT FROM ROME,
And Relates to Three Secret So
CietieS.
MUST NOT BECOME MEMBERS
The Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias
and Sons of temperance
Alluded To.

WILMINGTON. Del. Dec. 26.-BishoD
Curtis has issued the following letter to all
the priest in the diocese of Wilmington
Rererend Fathers: AS soon as practicable
you Will read on Sunday, at least once, the FOL
lowing documents, and You Will, 1 am sure, TO
the very utmost OF your ability endeavor TO
procure from all whom the decree OF the Holy
see may concern prompt and loyal obedience
TO his decree VIII II Christ speaks through his
vicar, and In such words, there can be no
question as to the purport of the uiteraDce A
Catholic, excuse himself how he may, yet
ceases to be Catholic if he fall to conform
himself thoroughly and at once to that utter
ance. Very faithfully your servant in Christ,
A. NJ CURTIS,
Bishop OF Wilmington.
The Enclosure was as follows;
Most Rererend and Illustrious Sir: Your
excelleney cannot fan 10 know that the Arch
bishops set over The various ecclesiastical
provinces of the republic OF the United States
OF America have In more than one of their as
semblies taken counsel With respect to the so
cletes which have grown up In The aforesaid
republic, viz: the Odd Fellows, the Sons Of
Temperance and the knights Of Pythias. And
you must be aware that the aforesaid Bishops
unanimously decided that the whole question as
TO the societies should De submitted To The judg-
fore committed this question 10 the Most Rev
erend Satoll and the nquisitors-genera These
in general congregation held Oh Wednesday,
June 20 1894, confirmed a decision previously
made as 10 the aforementioned circulars. de-
creed that all the ordnaries throughout the
United States must IN every way strive TO keep
the faithful from becoming members OF any OF
the said societies, and must not fail to admon-
ish their people TO that effect, and that any
sacrament should they fail TO abandon or keep
aloof from the same societies.
This decree his Holiness confirmed and gave
in complete effect. IL is therefore commune
Gated to your excelency that through you it
may be transmitted 10 all the Archbishops,
Bishops and other ordinaries Of the United
States and for the due custody of The souls OF
the faithful may be by hese ordinaries carried
into effect. Meantime l beseech Almighty God
10 bestow all benefits and blessings.
CARDINAL MONACO.
Rome, August 20. 1894.
To the Illustrlous and Most Rev. Francis Sa.
TOLL Delegate Apostolic, Washington, d. c.
The second document reads:
Your Enainence, ILluStyious and Most Req
erend: BY letter transmitted to me on the goth
of November last through Cardinal RampollI.
his Holiness urges that the decree of The Holy
Office sent to me by Cardinal Monaco and here
with delivered to you shall be made public.
The Sovereign Pontif therefore, will see that
the decree in question shall be communicated
by the arehblshops TO the respective suffragans
and by them it may be promulg ated. With all
reverence and affection, remain, your emil
hence, illustrious and most reverend, your
faithful servant ID Christ
FRANCIS SAToLLI,
Delegate Apostolic.
To his eminence, illustrious and most rev.
erend, James, Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop VI
Baltimore