The Washington times., 1901-11-18
PROBLEMS BEFORE
THE HIERARCHY.
FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC Societies
Opposition 10 the Movement by
Cardinal Gibbons and Leading
neutrality-suspicious. Cues
tiops TO Be Settled.

The Archbishops of the United States
composing the hierarchy of the Roman
Catholic Church in this country Will hold
their annual meeting at the Catholic Uni
versity next Thursday. Cardinal Gibbons
as the president of the body, will occupy
the chair.
Those expected to be present are Car
dinal Gibbons, Archbishop Ryan of Phiia-
delphia, Archbishop Eorrigan of New
| York, Archbishop Williams of Boston.
Archbishop Feehan of Chicago, Archbish-
| op Elder of Cincinnati Archbishop keane
! of Dubuque. Archbishop Katzer of Mil
waukee. Archbishop Christie of Oregon,
Archbishop Kain of St. Louis. Archbishop
Riordan of San Francisco. Archbishop
Bourgale Of Santa Fe. n NJ, and Arch
] bishop Ireland of st. Paul, MINI.
One of the most important questions to
be brought up for discussion and final dis
posal. and which is of vital interest to the
Catholics throughout the United States, is
! undoubtedly the question of the fedora
ton of Catholic societies of America This
project, the. most notable exponent of
which is Bishop McIcaul. has, for over a
year been a topic of universal interest
I and keen debate
Many prominent Catholic laymen Df the
country have been eager for its speedy
accomplishment The more Influential of
| the clergy. however. have heretofore
maintained an attitude of Strict reserve
on the point.
knights OF Columbus.
The question of the order of the Knights
Of Columbus viii also be discussed There
seems TO be much difference of opinion
among the clergy in regard 10 this or
sanization, some Of them holding that it
is secret society and therefore should
not he tolerated by the Church while others
argue that il is only beneficial organi-
zdtion- Bishop Jansen some time ago
would not hermit the Knights of Colurn-
bus to orga rfize in his diocese. whereupon
the matter was brought TO the attention
of Cardinal Martineiii for decision. The
Papai Delegate will announce his deci-
sion IN the matter after it has been thor
! ouShly discussed by the Archbishops.
i-Cn December j. convention of repre-
Sentatives Of the leading Catholic So
clcties of the United States is To meet at
Cincinnati II Is expected that over 2.0p
delegates ~ iti- be present. The aim and
| purpose Of the convention is the organiZa-
ton of the,Tfojected federation, the elcc-
| ton OF others and the formulation and
/ adoption ct a-coestitHtioR and bylaws.
/ There Is every reason TO believe, how
ever. thHt the convention Of ArcbbishOps
which meets here next Thursday will ad-
! wise against the organization of any such
/ federation 1t is declared to be a prac-
ti';ai certainty that The convention Will
issue a clear and unmiEtskable expression
/ 81 Its sentiments On the subject.
Opposed by the Cardinal.
Cardinal. Gibbons. it is stated on relia-
( bic authority. has in private freely de
( clared himself as entirely against this
| federation, as wei as against any Cath
olic orders that ereH bear a semblance to
a secret organization. He holds that
/ general federation of American Catholics
1 for any other than purely religious pur-
poses would at the present time be more
detrimental than useful to the cause Of
I Catholicism in this country.
Most Of the Archbishops are with Car
I dinal Gibbons in the matter. On the other
{ hand, the supporters of the movement
point To the federated Catholic societies
: GI Germany. which hold the balance Of
] power ia tbe Parliament of that Protest.
ant Empire, rs an object lesson to Offset
+ the argument Of the antagonists of the
movement.
The last issue of the iCatholic World
Magazine" contains an authoritative dec
I laration on the subject. The following are
! passages most applicable to the coutro-
/ versy:
There might have been some shadow
I Of reason lfor the federation Of Cath
Ole societiesl under previous Administra-
tions. but there viii be absolutely none
under the present Administration Presi-
! dent Roosevelt is determined TO give
I Catholics all that they reasonably ask
{ and there will be nothing denied them
] that belongs to their rights. This fact of
ltself takes away the reason for the ex-
istence Of a national body to redress
grievances.
Are there not many local grievances TO
+ be redressed2 Yes: but there is no need
Of national organization to right local
wrongs.
No Wrongs to Redress.
Moreover. the Catholics Of the coun-
try do not want to stand before their fol
low citizens with a running sore to be
kealed. or a grievance to be redressed.
We desire rather TO unite with all the
people of the country and TO do our share
in securing it, ends.
we are heart and soul American. and
thoroughly IN accord with the best SON.
timents of the American Government and
sympathetic with the highest aspirations
of the American people The. time may
come Hfeu ii will be necessary for Us To
unite in u Catholic party as the Catholic
people dld in Germany. but the time is
not now Nor Is II wise TO hasten the
necessity for such state OF affairs
Another important subject which win
be brought UP for discussion is the status
Of The Catholic Church in the insular pos
sessions Of the United States
Inasmuch as the Archbishops are hon
orafy trustees of the Catholic University
matters pertaining to this institution will
also be submitted and discussed. The
trustees OF the Catholic University viii
meet on next "Wednesday when the an
nual reports OF the rector the secretary
the treasurer. the trustees. and the deans
Of the various departments WIN he s1il,
mitted. The matter of filling the chair
of Gaelic literature and Language will be
I finally settled.
The majority Of the attending Archbish
ops VIII remain over until next Sunday to
participate at the conservation in th,.
Cathedral Of Baltimore of Mgr conaty
as Titular Bishop Of Sames