The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-06-02
A PLEA FOR UNITY OF CATHOLIC
SOCIETIES.

At the recent national convention of
the A. O. H. held in Boston. the follow
ing important letter was read from His
Lordship, Bishop McFaul, of Trenton.
It deals with many questions that APP
ply TO Catholics in other countries. as
well as in the United States:
Bishop McFaul, as our readers will
remember was the prime mover in
uniting the two branches of the order
two years ago. After expressing his
regret at his inability to attend the
convention, he writes:
Ny interest in the organization and
the pleasant recollections Of the nation
a. convention held in this city prompt
me to write and assure you that I have
the same love for the cause and the
same earnest desire to see you increase
in numbers and prosperity.
After the noble sentiments in favor
Of unity expressed by the delegates to
the last convention it is quite unneces-
sary TO emphasize the great Importance
of united effort for strength and prog
ress-, ] shall therefore direct your at
tention to another question which I be-
lieve should be taken up and prosecuted
with energy This subject has lately
been forcibly brought to my attention
in connection with the public institu-
tions Of this state, and I presume a like
condition, at least to some extent. ex-
lists in almost every state in the
Union.
The population Of New Jersey is
over 100000 and the Catholic popula-
ton is rapidly approaching 500. oOo or
about one-third of the population of
tie state. Now we should have a pro-
portionate representation on the
boards of management of public insti-
unions. This, however. we have never
had and although we are better off
here as regards freedom of worship in
public institutions than in some states
we are nevertheless far from possess
ing that fun exercise of our religion
which we should enjoy. Only n Catbo-
lie member of a public board can fully
appreciate our position as regards the
necessity of religious Worship. the
teaching of religion and moral training
especially in reformatory institutions.
1t seems to me, then, that all socie-
ties composed Of Catholics Should en-
deavor to touch at certain points. that
while retaining their identity and pur-
suing their own aims independently of
other organizations, there should be a
bond Of union enabling them. in given
circumstances, to exert a united infiu-
ence.
Let me not be misunderstood; I have
not the pemotest idea of advocating a
Catholic. a German or an Irish party in
America, but [ firmly believe that when
there is a question of our rights. as
Christians and as Catholics, we should
be in a position to maintain and protect
them in an intelligent, forcible ami le-
ultimate manner
IF we were so organized. can it be
supposed for a moment that the pres
ent administration would have passed
over in silence the outrages against |
religion perpetrated in the Philippines. !
or that those blinded by religious
prejudices would have been selected to |
Investigate and report upon affair. in !
umately connected with the welfare Of /
the Catholic religion in those countries
which have lately come under the flag
OF the United States.
Again. If that influence to which orr