Evening journal., 1896-12-19
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
An Unfortunate Rumor AAoat
About the Organization.
NOT DIsAPPRovED BY TEE CHURCH
1T is A SECRET ORDER, BUT NOT
OATH BOUND p ARCHBISHOP
RYAN is NOT OPPOSED TO IT.

Considerable comment has been ex-
cited among Catholics in this city over
the somewhat mysterious institution
here Of Santa Maria Council OF the
Knights of Columbus which occurred
last Sunday On that day a large num-
Der of members of the organization
were present from other cities, some of
them coming from considerable dis
tances, to attend the secret ceremonies
of institution and initiation which
were held in Eden Hall. and which
lasted with an intermission for sup
per. from o'clock in the afternoon
until night Even those who had been
taken into the confidence of the organ
izer. who for some days previously
had been comforting with a number of
prominent and influential Catholics In
this city. were astonished at the large
number and the character of the visit
ing members. among whom, 1t is said
were lawyers, physicians and prOmi-
nent business men of wealth and posi-
tion.
Among the places from which the
visiting delegates came were Boston
and Pittsheld. Mass: Portsmouth. N
H.. New Haven and Bridgeport. Conn.
Providence, r. l.. Jersey City. Hobo
hill anu NiWdihf ~ Jsf 4N'W AJi
city, Brooklyn, Buffalo. Syracuse.
Utica, Troy and Albany. N. Y.
The large number of the visitors, il
is said. is an illustration of the esprit
de corps existing in the order, and Of
their intention of making the first in
stitution of a council in Wilmington a
memorable event.
The fact, however. that out of the
largo number OF Catholics in this city
only a small number were admitted as
members at the institution, gave rise
subsequently to the rumor that the or
ganization was an extremely exclusive
secret order. modelled after that of the
Masons. and that IL had the disapprOval
of Archbishop Ryan. The latter part
OF the rumor has proved to be wholly
unfOunded. Archbishop Ryan. In an
/ interview. said he had not condemned
/ IT, A distinction. the prelate said. was
! 20 be made between Catholic socic-
ties and societies of Catholics"
The former he said, were organiza-
/ tions connected with the church. such
as the various sodalities, religious con-
fraternities. temperance societies and
the like. while the latter were bodies.
the membrs OF which happened to be
Catholics AS TO the Knights of Co
ulmbus. the archbishop said he did not
/ know enough about them to feel war
ranted In approving or disappearing OF
them The gentleman who had organ
lied them in this city had previously
called upon him and spoken TO him
about the order IL was not secret in
the sense OF being oath-bound, and
was of a social and beneficial charac-
ter The kind of men who had joined
Il at its first meeting, the archbishop
intimated, would indicate that there
could be nothing in the order contrary
to the spirit of the Catholic Church.
"All the members are good, practi-
cal Catholics men who would not join
any organization which would be op-
posed to the spirit of the church. The
order Is strongest In New England
where It had its origin. The Whining
ton council was formed by Thomas II
Cummings. of Boston, who is the ma
tional organizer Only men who are OF
exceptionally good character and who
are practical Catholics are admitted
All politics are excluded. and no one
who is engaged in the manufacture OF
sale. whether wholesale or retail. OF
intoxicating liquors, can be admitted.