The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-28
NEW YORK July 81.


NEW YORK July 81.
IN DISCUSSION of much significance
U9A\ is now in progress in Catholic
church circles. To understand
II u it will require long statement
yof facts. The disc ussion dates back to
the last lenteu season. when John A.
n Watterson, bishop of the Catholic do
cese of Columbus, sent out circular
letter to the priests OF the diocese to be
read before their several congregations,
Ind in the course Of this pastoral COM
nunication he said:
hereby withdraw my appreciation from
hny and every Catholic society, or branch,
pr division thereof in this diocese, that has
q liquor dealer or saloon-keeper at its head
pr anywhere among its officers. l suspend
very such society Itself from the rank and
rivileges as n Catholic society until it
Eases to be so officiated.
One of the Catholic societies of the
cease that was open to the censure
pealed from the action Of the bishop
rthe papal delegate. Archbishop Sa-
solli. but the authority OF the bishop
In the matter WAS sustained. As some
discomfort remained ana the plea was
made that the delegate did not under.
stand the issue, Bishop Watterson sug
gested that another society should re-
new the appeal That course was
taken and again the delegate sustained
| the bishop. Here is his letter:
MGR SATOIJJs RIIING
WASHINGTON, July is, 1894.
As far as the general principle is con-
cerned, you should know that as it be-
longs to the Office of bishop to observe
in his own diocese what is hurtful or
helpful to the spiritual good of the faith
full, so 1t belongs to his power to command,
prohibit, coun .el or permit to be done, or
removed, whatever he judges to contribute
TO the discharge Of his own duty and to
1.-THE good of the faithful. The letter of de-
cree of the Right Rev. Bishop of Colum.
bus concerning Catholic societies and tho
abstinence to be observed from intoxicat-
ing liquors ought by no means to be sub
jected to the judgment Of every private
individual, or every association of simply
Catholic citizens; but every Catholic of
good conscience must hold for certain that
the bishop has commanded those things
which seem TO be for the greater good Of
the faithful and the honor Of every Catho-
lie society.
These three things which are expressed
In the letter of the right reverend bishop
have the approval, not only OF Catholics,
but of non. Catholics of your city, because
they are not only in harmony with the
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 demanded In his de-
cree, l approve and decide that they are
to be observed: but if perhaps they, for
the time being, seem to hurt the material
interaN; Of some, this will have TO be pa-
tently borne for the good of the many and
for the honor of our holy Catholic church.
Remain, therefore. of good will and obey
alihfully what the right reverend bishop
has decreed, confident that Divine Provi-
dence rewards the spirit of obenience, not
only In the future, but in this world.
Farewell in the Lord.
FRANCIS, ARCHBISHOP SATOLLL
Apostolic Delegate.
THE POINTS IN CONTROVERSY.
This action of the delegate is Great.
ing much controversy. There are two
points involved in it. One is the tech
nical one as to the authority of the
bishop. as q Catholic prelate, to visit
with censure every Catholic society in
his diocese officered by liquor sellers
Satolli asserts that authority. The
bishop in bis declaration does not put
any individual liquor seller under the
ban for his business merely, nor does
| he forbid liquor selling in itself; but
he forbids the Identification of religious
societies. distinctly Catholic with
{]iquor selling, by making liquor deal
ers prominent in them He refuses to
4 vouch for them as Catholic socie ties
under such circumstances,
Nevertheless it is evident that the
circular letter of Bishop Watterson was
written to criticise ana censure the
liquor trnffic and that the letter OF
Archbishop Satolli sustains that crit
icism and censure, and. 80 far as it has
scope, endeavors to discredit the traf
fic and discourage Catholics from en-
gaging in 1t. But it m akes no general
decree on The subject, and, outside of
the diocese OF Columbus leaves liouor
dealing where the council ,of Baltimore
4 LETT 1t. discountenanced, but not for.
hidden.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS
The issue thus raised is receivino
! much attention in the church and elass
journals. The Irish World of this dats
says:
The judgment rendered by the papal
delegate does not apply to other dioceses
but its moral effect will operate for Good
over the entire country. The liquor saloon
Is under the ban, and the vocation of The
saloon keeper is stamped with the brand Of
discredit. Those in the business who have
q conscience will find that conscience
pricked from this day forth. Regard for
themselves as decent men, regard for their
children, charity for their neighbors and
the desire to be at peace with their church
that Is In every Catholics breast will give
them no rest till they get out. On the
other hand, those who have set their con.
sciences to sleep will utter defiance at all
mandates Of the church, and some of them,
perhaps. will leave the church altogether.
One Of them, in an interview given by him
IN daily paper, says he would give up
bis religion before his business IL 1t came
TO be question Of choice. Such an ayowal
reveals the decentralization which the trat-
nc has wrought in this man already-such
man has but little religion to give up.
The People. Pennsylvania Pronibi-
tion organ, today says:
Unless the ruling of Satolli Is reversed
py the pope, and that Is not likely to be
done, the Catholic church has taken de-
cisiye, bold, aggressive, Christian stand
against the saloon. Its position is far In
advance OF that Of any other church,
There may be some bishops who win not
agree with satolli, and who may do all in