The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-01-05

DlQden from the three SocIeueS and eacn
of them: .. and if affer being advised
they shall still remain in these societies
then they shall be forbidden the recep-
ton of the sacrament"
Such is the language of the papal edict.
recently sent from Rome to Mgr. Satosli.
and copies of which have been sent By
that dignitary Of the Roman Catholic
church to archbishops and bishops of
the United States. The societies referred
to are the Odd Fellows. Knights of
Pythias and Sons of Temperance.
Occasions Much Comment.
The pronunciamento has occasioned
much coment by the press and in Catholic
and non-Catholic circles in Salt Lake, as
we'll as throughout tie country There
has been some doubt, chiefly on the part
of the laity, as to whether the edict was
mandatory or merely advisory. The act
ion of the bishops has been awaited with
much curiosity as to the outcome, for the
situation VIII be best expressed by a
question. The Church or the Society"
A Doubt Removed.
For a time there was doubt as to the
ffnality of the decree. It was rumored
that it had been submitted to the suffra-
gan bishops for their approval or disap-
prevail. On Monday last, Mgr. SatoIli
settled these doubts by authorizing the
following statement:
The archbishops of the United States
have taken counsel with respect to three
societies. namely, the Odd Fellows, the
Sons Of Temperance and the Knights Of
Pythias The archbishops decided that the
whole question should be submitted to the
apostolic see, In a communication from
his eminence, Cardinal Monaco, to Mgr.
Satoli, the action of the general congre-
CATION Of cardinals, to whom his holiness
committed the question, is made known.
The congregations after considering care
fully the matter, made a. decree. This de-
cree his holiness fully confirmed and gave
fore. transmitted to all archbishops,
bishops, and other ordinaries of the
United States, to be by them carried into
effect Mgr. Satolli has acted merely as
medium Of transmission. But in view
OF contradictory and confusing reports
ernanating from various parts of the
county the facts are thus briefly stated. .
Bishop scanlan Interviewed.
Bishop Scanlan returned from Idaho
yesterday and was found in the sacristy
of st. Mary's cathedral after the evening
ivespers. He had not yet removed the sacred
come to The Herald representative, and
talked with perfect candor of the pro-
nunciamento, and the probable results.
Yes, received copy two weeks ago, -
| is, read it from the altar. We are al
| lowed two months in which to arrange for
the PRONUNCIATION of the. edict in our
| dioceses. This provision is in order TO
! emergencies as the absence of d bishop
or priest. l have not decided when
shall publish it.
1t is Mandatory.
"There is no question but that the decree
| is mandatory" he said. 1t is plainly
that, but it is discretionary with the
bishops as to the manner in which it
shall be communicates to the churches,
whether through publication or the confes-
| sional.
Referred to the TheOlOgians at Rome
In 1892 there was a meeting of arch
| bishops in Boston and the matter was
! discussed at that time. No decision could
theoIogians at Rome. Prior to this every
! legitimate effort had been made to get
| reliable information regarding the three
societies. A prominent Knight OF Pythlas
J of New Orleans was interviewed by
| bishop. He said he did not know whether
or not there are secrets of the society
which cannot be dfvulged at the COMES
sional. He referred the father to a mem
! Der higher in the order, and that member
to another who was one Of the CHIEF
officers. This gentleman told him there
are secrets which no Knight is permitted
to diyulge. The holy office after long de-
( 1890
should be promulgated, and 1t was ap-
proved by his holiness, Pope Leo
Position of the Church.
"Why is the Roman Catholic church OPP
posed to secret societies. was query
to which the bishop replied: 1T is not
| except ON behalf of its own communi
| cants.
"a good Catholic cannot consistently
join a secret society for several reasons
ODDosed to Secrecy.
First, such a. society enjoins secrecy
| Now the chucrch takes the stand, and oul
experience teaches us as well, that evl
often springs from secrecy. II ina
which is to be promulgated is good, why
not proclaim it from the Dousetop? These
societies probably teach no evil, but con
slider the position of the father contessor
A Catholic sits in the chair OF penance
of absolution are that the penitent re
pent all wrong; that he have a spirit o.
humility and a determination to try u
avoid repetition OF the ofense' on IN "a
lions exist, else he has not the right t
absolve the .penitent. He. cannot know
if a vow of secrecy has been made o!
the penitent and he IS popno IL 10 VIZ
Importance. AS we'll might a physician
attempt to treat a patient VINO WEI no
say what or where his. PAIN rs, or
Judge try a. case when the plaintiff VII
nesses.
"a second reason why we believe nj
good Catholic can consistently be mem
Der of "a secret society, is that ne ma!
be bound by AZ cath to obey the com
rnands of a leader. Witness the terrlpl
murder of Cayendish and Burke by IN
Fenians. A priest does not KNOW Wnlth
er such an oath may lead the man WhC
takes it. He cannot absolYe him in tn,
face of such possibilities; The churcl
recognizes but two infallible authorities
the church and the state. y man ma!
in the truest spirit of devotion take al
oath to support either or both. We re
gard the church and the state as diYlnt
institutions, but believe that no human
leader should be followed to such al
extent.
Sets Up Another Religion.
"a third and potent reason why tn
church opposes its followers joinin:
such organizations is that in man!
cases there are rituals. In fact, the ten
dency is often TO make a religion OF TN
ritual and practices: For inS ian: w "
no need OF a further religion.
Eject of Dfsobedfence.
What will be the result if member
of the church refuse 70 sever Chelr con
nection with such societies.?
'eThey will thus deprive themselves o
the sacrament and of absolution. Will
not accommodated, they viii not b
practical Catholics"
Bishop ScanIan's face glowed with fer
vor as he said: Christ said, Feed m
lambs Across the waters, in that his
toric city of Rome, there is a faithful
shepherd who is feeding his lambs an
sheep all over the world. He gives Their
such food as ne knows IS good, rejectin
all which is ulwholesorne or even o
doubtful effect