The record-union., 1895-01-01
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Statement Concerning the Decree
Issued From Rome.

Statement Concerning the Decree
Issued From Rome.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3l.-Owing to mis-
apprehensions caused by the publication
OF the statement that the decree concern
ing secret societies was not final and was
to be submitted to the Bishops to secure
from them their opinions thereon, Mon
signor Satolli authorizes the Associated
Press to make the following brief state
ments of facts: The Archbishops in the
United States have taken counsel with re-
spect to three societies, namely: Odd Fell
lows, Sons OF Temperance aud the
Knights OF Pythias. The Arch bishops
decided the whole question should be
submitted to the Apostolic See. In a
| communication from his Eminence,
Cardinal Monaco, to Monsignor Satolli.
the action of the General Congregation OF
Cardinals, to whom his Holiness COM
mitted the question, is made known. The
Congregation, after considering carefully
the matter, made decree This decree
his Holiness fully confirmed, and gave it
complete effect. The decree is, therefore,
transmitted to all the Archbishops, Bish-
ops and other orainaries in the United
States, TO be by them carried into effect.
Monsignor Satoili has acted solely as
the medium for transmission, but i'll
view OF the contradictory and confused
reports emanating from various parts of
the country the facts are thus briefly
stated.
AN OPEN LETTER TO REV. MEssMER.
ST. PAUL, Dec. 3l.-The following let
ter was mailed to-day from this city and
given to the Associated Press at the same
time:
ST. PAUL, December 31st.
Right Rec. MeSsnler, Green Bay, WIS.,
RIGHT REV. SIR: Your interview dated
Green Bay, Wis, December 18th, and re-
ported in the Chicago Tribune, in regard
| to the decree of the Roman Church put
ting the ban on the Odd Fellows and the
knights OF Pythias, is entitled to special
consideration, from the fact that YOU
offer an argment in justification of the
| Uen. Your argument is stated as follows:
There never had been any objection to
Catholics belonging TO the lower degrees
| of any of these secret societies; in those
degrees men are only banded together tor
mutual benefit and pleasure. But in the
| higher degrees the principles and teach
| ingS of these societies are distinctly anti
Christian and contrary to the principles
| of the Catholic Church. Ii the lower
lodges were separated from the higher
circles of this order, no objection would
be made to them, but as all are a part of
the same organization they must all come
under The ban."
Your words. right reverend sir, are
clear and explicit, and if your argument
can be sustained, they explain fully the
! ban placed on these societies by the
Pope. But / deny the charge you make
against the order OF the knights of Pyth-
las, and publicly challenge you to prove
| your assertion. You owe this to the
American public, to your own church
and i'll special manner to the societies
| to whom your accusation falls. My de-
mands, made with the greatest respect,
! are:
| First-That you prove that radical
| difference exists as to the principles and
| purposes between the lower and higher
| degrees of the Knights of Pythias-a diff
| ference such as to make the higher de-
grees worthy of condemnation, while the
lower degrees are innocent.
| Second-Ihat you prove in those
| higher degrees that the principles and
| teachings of those societies are distinctly
antl-Christian and contrary to the prin-
| ciples of the Catholic Church.
1 may add that though demanding a re-
ply to all these points, l hope you will
| give special attention to your charges
that tho higher degrees are anti Christian
"a charge which certainly should not be
made lightly.
As your interview was given to the
public press, i consider it my privilege
and my duty to give this reply the same
publicity. Respectfully,
J. f. HIGHER,
Grand Chancellor Knights OF Pythias
OF Minnesota.