The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-01-19
THE PAPAL DECREE.

within the last few years in this country
is one of the social facts Of the day, says
the Providence Visitor. It is not there
fore to be wondered at that the Church
should inquire into the precise signi6
canoe of their existence. What social OF
political wants are they intended to sup.
ply? and if such wants exist, what is the
nature of the means and organization by
which they are to DO obtained? These
are plain and simple questions, and 1t is
to be supposed that they could be met
by plain and simple replies. And yet an
impression exists in Catholic circles that
such answers have not yet been given.
Nor Is this ell It is alleged that &C.
cret engagement of some sort or other
binds the members Of these societies in
closer bonds than are ordinarily found
necessary in other associations; nay
more, that some Of the objects pursued
by them are not of the kind that are
commonly considered conducive to the
welfare Of the state Or religion.
Now, as to the first of these al|ega-
tions, this reflection is obvious; either
there is such an oath OF absolute secrecy
regarding their proceedings, aims and
teachings, or there is not. If not, why
is there not a simple and straightforward
statement to that effect? It there is,
what, then, is the reason of it's existence?
II their objects are good, the oath is USE
less and therefore wrong If their OBJ
jects be evil, or at any rate Of kind that
the religious and social instincts of the
day regard evil, the oath is an immoral
restraint of liberty,and therefore a graver
offence against the first principles of
right.
In the present attitude of these socie-
ties, the presumptive evidence is in favor
Of the second hypothesis; for it is a char
acteristic of evil to shun the light;
coecum omne sce1us. Practic es Of mere
philanthropy and Christian charit, can
only be impeded by the Introduction of
a secret oath, and can, therefore, never
supply plausible reason for ITS impo-
sition. Under such circumstances, adj
visedly to join such societies is viola
tion Of the plain dictates of conscience;
for to take an oath without plain ne
cessity is officially evil. The only le-
Ultimate and successful defence such So
cieties can max eagainst censure must
lie liz clear and open statement of their
motives and principles. No such de-
fence has been authorltatively made.
Nothing, in fact, has been done but to
meet the imputations of the Church by
vague, general assertions, which neither
amount to adequate explanation nor to
categorical denial.
Besides there have not been wanting
charges of very definite or damaging
nature, which have from time to time
been advanced against these societies,
and, although the accusations are sup
ported by considerable display of doc
umentary evidence, and are withal OF the
gravest character, we do not remem Der
that they have ever been publicly met or
openly exploded.
We are we'll aware that many honor
able mon and loyal citizens belong to
these organizations-many who cannot
for moment be suspected of collision
in any anti social or anti-religious m owe
ment; and that to many, these societies
take no other form than that Of associa-
tions which enlarge their means Of social
enjoyment, and even in many cases are
of material help in the advancement OF
their worldly interests. But this very
fact, it might we'll be thought, would
only urge them the more imperatively to
purge themselves from the ugly suspicion
that IN many honest minds attaches to
their orders. The charity Or benevolence
they ostenslbly profess would gain the
more were it more open and above board.
And it is safe to say that their organize
tions would open the door to most de.
sirable class of Catholics, If they could
only dispense with their hide bound
oath and hugger-m ugger methods.
The Papal decree just promulgated
will do great work il it contribute in
any measure 10 the clearing up Of the
obscurities that now hang over these
brotherhoods. Whether it do so or not,
it is entitled to careful consideration by
all who are interested in the nature and
movements of these great social organ
izarions which threaten to bulk out in
the future into still larger proportions
and fuller development. But Catholics
have q still deeper concern in the subject,
for these societies now lie under the ban
of the Church; and the decree is intend
cd to some extent to supply the grounds