The sun., 1894-12-21

Arehbishop COrriGan Auuouuees That They
Must Not Beiorg to the K.ishts OF
Pythias. odd Fellows, or the Sons
or Temperance - The Ssersrpents wni
ne Refused Those Catholics who
DO Not Henou-ce Their Membership.
At tho regular quarterly theological confer
snce uf the priests OF the archdiocese OF New
York. held yesterday afternoon In the cathedral
school hail In East Fiftieth street, announce
ment was made by Archbishop Corrigan that
three secret societies, the knights Of Pythias
the Odd Fellows, and the Sons OF Temperance
had been put under the ban by Pope Leo. No
formal document on the subject was read The
Archbishop merely said that he had received
letter from Mgr Satolli announcing that an
edct had been issued against the societies
named by the Pope and that the priests Of the
diocese were expected to warn the members OF
their congregations against Joining those orga1i-
Eations. At the regular quarterly conference OF
the priests Of the diocese OF Long Island held on
Tuesday last in the old cathedral In Jay street,
Brooklyn, Bishop Mcdonnell made similar
announcement.
The subject OF placing these three societies
under the ban has been under discussion by the
Archbishops Of this country for several years.
At the annual meeting Of tho Archbishops held
in 1899 tho matter was discussed, but no def
mite conclusion was reached. The sociotiea
had their defenders among the Archbishops,
and by their efforts a compromise was effected.
It was decided to examine into their constitu-
tions and rituals before deciding whether the
organizations should be condemned. The sub
ject came up again for discussion at the
meeting Of all the Archbishops Of the United
States In Chicago in September, 1903. Tho
objects and methods of the three societies wero
discussed at longth. and the verdict in favor OF
their condemnation is said to have been any
thing but unanimous. A majority OF the Arch
bishops. however. decided that they should be
Included amongthe secret societies either affili-
ating directly with the Masons following
closely their methods, and as such they were
inimica to the Roman Catholic Church. This
decision was forwarded to the College Of Car
dnals at Rome, and q committee from tho lat
ter was appointed TO act upon It, After long
and exhaustive examination this committee
ratified the decision Of the Archbishops. and
later Pope Leo gave the edict his official sane
tion The decision was recently mailed to Mgr.
Satolli by Cardinal Rampolli. Secretary of the
College OF Cardinals, with instructions to pro-
mulgato 1t to the priests Of tho United states.
The official condemnation Of these societies by
the authorities Of the Roman Catholic Church
will be far-reaching in Its effect. Each one of
the organizations numbers among It's members
many Roman Catholics, TO whom there now is
choice OF two courses-either give up their
their The a the the
Knights OF Pythias the Odd Fellows, and the
Son Of Temperance, however, is largely made
selves will suffer but little from the ban.
The fact that the Roman Catholic Church
ties OF all kinds, particularly the Masons, has
been well known among the members OF every
were invited to Join them. Mnny devout Cath
oliGs even hold that meIp1he5ship IN the secret
This extreme view. however, has no foundation
In fact and numerous priests as well as Catholic
Tie Rev Father Frederick Y. Rocker. who was
recently appointed secretary to Mgr Satolli, Is n
T. % es kaPpG Aph% a" oSd FsSow. /.
lodges in nearly every hsmlrtI village: and city
golden links The order was founded in England
In the eighteenth century; The object Of the
the sick, relieve tho distressed, bury the dead,
and educate the orphan. and TO improve and
Initiated degree of Rebekah for, women. There
i nlSo & henefit e fund attached. and It !, said
sick and needy members. The knights
OF iPyihlas is also very large and prosperops
W"st and south. The Sous OF Temperance is
also y Western organization.
Archbishop COrrigan and Nicar-General Far
lcI refused yesterday 20 discuss the probable
effect OF the edict against these societies ON
ths,r Snthoiic n,emh.rt; . Inc latter ssa y WAS
sufficient to say that the societies were con-
demnsd because the Archhishols evidently held
that they were sntagOnisttc to the Church.
~ y Sun reporter last night Nicsr-Gen-
ernl Mooney said:
Il was not NJ the theological conference
this afternoon, hut | understand that Arch
bishon Corrigan made the announcement of the
Introduction OF the odd Fellows, the knights OF
rythias, AID tho Sons of Temperance. The mat
ter III pisClnE these societies under the ban has
been ur!er discussion by Church authorities for
long time and the decision was not unex-
lerIrI since the very beginning, the Roman
Catholic Church Las been against secret
kttglnIipS. Nh. | do think the l'atnD-
lie members of these societies will
be excommunicated, hut the sacramel;s Of tho
frequently been asked by Catholic laymen II it
sf KEsh Psthi%s @ or ohd Fellow and st o
tain membership in the Church. Knowing that
each one that Il he did Join one Of these societies
10 hold himself always In readiness 20 Withdraw
should the authorities OF the Church decide
"As l understand It, Archbishop Corrigan
read no formal document 10 the priests. His
talk about the decision Of the Pope. II is not
likely that letter on the subject will be read in
Ia inform his congregation that an ediCt has
been issued against these societies and to give
Member Of the to T. q. B. F. say that the society
viii take no official notice Of the decree against
controversy with the Catholic Church. The
opinion Was oppressed Yesterday that many OF
th e iasy an SSIh1G n pda Eei1Gs w2ua sfIk 70
placed under the ban by Pope Leo.
ST L9uIs, Dec, s0imFhs & +, members Of the inde.
that the alleged ecclesiastical ban placed upon
their order by the Pope will not seriously affect
of Catholic members will not amount Ia five
Per cent nj In spsskPg g The the, pope,s action
The han was precipitated by Dr &. l.. Camp
bell Of London Ont, who last September re,
contained anything objectionable"
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