Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-04
Roman Catholics and Secret So
cietieS.

From time to time questions have
arisen as to the right of Catholics to join
such societies as the Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, and kindred assoca-
tions, not mentioned by name in the
Pope's encyclcal reaffirming the Roman
Catholic decree against Freemasonry.
There have been various opinions, and
as several of the great American benevo-
lent orders were not specially named in
said encyClical, it has been held that
members of that communion had a right
to join. This question seems to be
settled in a letter from Secretary Moore
of Rutland, of the X. of p, to Bishop
Michaud, and the Bishops reply.
1t will be seen that the questions are
fairly stated, and the prelate, who is
known to so many of our people, is as
frank to reply, covering the whole
ground in regard to all societies, as it
seems to us, OtapprOved by that church.
We have always contended that good
Catholic would not want to join because
of the law of his church, and a Catholic
obtuse to his spiritual obligations, was
not wanted anywhere, so that in either
case grave doubt existed as to whether
members of these civic societies
should be composed of such material.
We give the questions asked of Bishop
Michaud'
Right Reverend Sir-With desire to
obtain from some one possessing a gen.
eral authority, positive decision as to
whether or not communicates of the
Roman Catholic church were prohibited
from becoming members of the Order of
the Knights of Pythias, desire to sub
nit the following questions and ask your
official decision:
|. Is cOmmunicant of the Roman
Catholic church prohibited from joining
the Order of the Knights of pythias?
2. If ~ COmmunicant of the Roman
Catholic church joins the Order of the
Knights of Pythias, is he thereby excom-
municated?
3. If communicate of the Roman
Catholic church joins the Order of the
Knights of Pythias, is he so long as he
continues his membership in said order
of the Knights of Pythias, permitted to
partake of the Communion in said Roman
Catholic church?
A. If a communicate of the Roman
Catholic church joins the Order of the
Knights of Phythias, would the church
permit the said member, while holding
and maintaining his membership, to re
ceive the last rites of the church. to wit,
the Sacrament and Extreme Unction?
s. Would the Roman Catholic church
permit member of the Order of the
Knights of Pythias to be buried in con-
secrated ground?
6 Before member of the Order of the
Knights of Pythias can receive at the
hands of a Roman Catholic priest, the
Sacrament of the church, must he abso-
lutely renounce his membership in said
Order of the Knights of Pythias?
In asking these question | can assure
you that they are propOunded solely with
a view to ascertain what is right. Many
members of the Roman Catholic church
have joined and are joining the order,
but doing so gravely in doubt.
On the other hand the order itself is in
a condition of doubt as to propriety of
their admission while the matter is in
doubt, and these questions are asked
that definite conclusion may be reached
by all.
1t is proper to inform you that the
order of the Knights of Pythias is a Sc
cret order-obligates its members to alb
solute secrecy and obedience to all orders
that do not conflict with their political
or religious liberty. A ritual is used in
the several grades of rank, and the candi
date is solemnly obliged to retain forever
secret all he may learn in his progress
through the ritualistic work. 1t has
signs, passwords and grips, all of which
are secret and must never be divulged.
| state these facts so that there may
be no appearance of concealment as to
the system under which the order is con-
Quoted.
In bringing the matter before you l
wish it to be clearly understood that |
desire to raise no issue as to the right of
the Roman Catholic church to lay down
rules prohibiting its members joining the
Order of the Knights Of Pythias. | do
not attack its judgement nor its rules,
but | do wish to clearly understand the
status of member of the Roman Catho-
lie church relative to the Order of the
Knights of Pythias.
As one who believes in obedience to
properly constituted authority in matters
of country and creed, have no part or
lot with those who want to live within
the bonds of either and yet fail to COM
ply with their laws and rules, hence |
am desirous of knowing the exact status
of this question.
Bishop Mechaud's reply was as fol.
lows:
NJ