Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-19
SATOLu AGAINST SALOONS
The Expulsion Of Liquor Dealers From
Catholic Societies.
Appeal From bishop Watterson De-
MED by the Apostolic Delegate
Most Important Decision.

just rendered decision of importance
which is calculated to delight the friends
and confcund the enen1ies OF the temperance
cause In all its aspects in this country IL
presents a strong and unequivocal condem-
nation of the liquor traffic, especially as II
Is carried In the United States, and ap-
proves Of the expulsion ot liquor dealers
from Catholic societies.
This remarkable decision of the represen-
ia tive OF the holy see was called forth by an
appeal from the ruling OF the Right Rev
John A. Watterson, ID. d., bishop OF Co
lumbus. Ohio. and was made by one OF the
societies within his jurisdiction. The judg-
ment is unequivocal in Its nature and cap
able OF but one Interpretation, sustaining in
every way, as It does. the ground assumed
by the bishop.
The history of the contention which was
ultimately placed before the apostolic dele
gate for final and authoritative determine
ton, Is interesting. and the facts concerning
II are known to but few. During the last
Lenten season Bishop watterson, who Is
one OF the most ardent Temperance reform
ers in the Roman Catholic Church address
ed letter to the clergy of his diocese TO be
! read before their several congrega tions
This letter dealt wholly with the temper
ance problem, and in the course OF this pas
| toral communication Bishop watterson
said:
bIshOp "atterson's Vtterances.
Il hereby withdraw my appreciation from
any and every Catholic society or branch or
division thereof in this diocese that has a
liquor dealer or saloonkeeper at Its head or
anywhere among its officers and / suspend
every such society itself from the rank and
privileges as q Catholic society until IL
ceases 10 lie SO officered. I again publish
the condition. without which for some years
have declined to approve OF new societies
or new branches Of old organizations In this
dfocese-namely, that no one who Is en-
gagged either principal or agent in the
manufacture or sale of Intoxicating liquors
can be admitted to membership. You will
make this rule known to the organizations
In your parish and have IL faithfully OBJ
served. 1t is sure. however, to commend it
self to every right spirited and healthy as
fociation Of Catholic gentlemen.
IF there are saloonkeepers in your parish
who call themselves Catholics and yet carry
on their business I'm forbidden and disedi-
Tying way. or sell on Sundays. either openly
or under any sort Of guise or disguise, In
violation Of civil law, and to the hurt of
order and religion and the scandal Of any
part OF the community, you will refuse
them absoiution, should they. perchance
come to receive the sacraments. unless they
ways, and to conduct their business blame
lessly IL they can, or get out Of IL and keep
cut Of II altogether"
To many Of the people in the diocese of
con seemed arrogant and unjust and one of
the societies there laid the matter formally
before Mgr. Satolli After a time the epos-
tolic delegate returned an answer upholdine
The position of the bishop But still the So
| ciety was net satisfied and II was said that
the delegate did not understand the case or
he surely would not sustain a ruling which
personal liberty.
The bishop heard of the expressed discon-
tent and asked another society TO take the
| subject up and present Il once more at
Washington, agreeing himself to sign the
| appeal from Archbishop Satolli's decision in
order that the matter might be presented
| In the strongest light possible and that
there might be 10 mistaking the outcome
Archbishop satolIi's Decision.
I To this second appeal the apostolic dele
gate has just responded. His opinion re-
affrms his FIRST judgment, sustaining the
position of Bishop watterson. and says:
l. Bishops have the right and duty to
guard faith and morals within the limits
of their. dioceses. They are the divinely
appointed judges In such matters and
hence no mere eociety or individual layman
has the right to set such decision at de-
fance. The mere fact that such decision
may be the cause of temporal loss does not
Justify opposition, as. the temporal must
give way 10 the spiritual good. and private
good must give way to public good.
>. The liquor traffic, and especially as
conducted here in the United States is the
source of much evil hence the bishop was
acting within his rights In seeking to re-
strict it
3. Therefore. the delegate apostolic sus-
tains Bishop Watterson's acton and ap-
proves Of his circular letter and regulation
concerning saloons and the expulsion Of
saloon keepers from membership In Catholic
societies
The Rev Alexander p. Doyle Of the Paul
let Fathers the general secretary Of the
Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Amer
lea, said yesterday that the declaration of
the apostolic delegate in the case OF Bishop
Watterson is the most important ever pro-
and he thought it's effect would be far
reaching. Never before In the history of
the Catholic Church I'm the United States.
he said, has such an unqualified principle
on the temperance question been laid down.