The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-08-03
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
This beneficent order of Catholi

This benefcent order of Catholics,
which is now nearly twenty years old
and is spreading rapidly throughout the
United States, is encountering opposi-
ton from one solitary member of the
American hierarchy. He is Bishop
Jansen, of Belleville. ILL.,, who recent
ly notified the priests of his diocese
that he does not wish the knights of
Columbus to be established within his
jurisdiction. He has also prohibited
the organization of any of it's councils
under the auspices of his clergy. This
action of Bishop Janssen's has awak-
ened widespread interest among the
10000 members of the order.
The founder of the organization was
a Catholic priest, Rev. Michael ]. Nc
Givney, of Waterbury, Conn.,, who died
two years ago last June; and his chief
object in establishing it was to keep
Catholics out of secret societies which
may prove inimical to their faith.
None but practical Catholics are eligi-
bic for membership, and when they
neglect to fulfill their religious obliga-
tons they shall forfeit their member
ship and all claims, rights and ad-
vantages connected Herewith. Only
law-abiding citizens engaged in reputa-
bic occupations, and of the highest mo-
raj character and integrity are admit
ted into its councils. 1t is not of "a
diluted Masonry in character" as al
legged by correspondent of the Chi
cago Tribune, and that it is not is evil
dent from the fact that it's most en-
thusiastic admirers are the Catholic
priests. Men eminent in law, literature
and finance are members Of the Or
sanization, and though it contains a
large percentage of professional and
business men it is not by any means
81 silk-stoclinged affair." but is open
to citizens of responsibility in every
walk Of life who practice their re-
ligion according to the rules of the
church. For these reasons. it is diff
cult to understand why one solitary
/! bishop in the United States considers
it his duty to interdict the order in
his diocese.
1t is said that Very Rev. John p.
McClancy, of Middleton, N. Y, has
also antagonized the knights of Co
lumbus, saying that "the buffoonery
and vulgarity of the billy goat chivalry
is unworthy of decent men, 1t is Il
tribute to the worthy character of the
order that it has only one bishop and
one priest in the whole country against
! it. They do not make the Catholic
church, however, any more than two
swallows make a summer. The ritual
of the order was submitted to Mgr.
Satolli when papal delegate, and that
profound theologian declared it not
contrary to the rules of the church.
1t was only the other evening that
Bishop Muldoon was the guest of hon
or at a banquet given by the knights
! Of Columbus in Chicago. He is a
| lueIIlDef OIL TIE Ofuef anu mas nOtnluS
Objectionable in it.
The order of the knights of Column
bus can stand the most scrutinizing
investigation. 1t is probable that Bisl-
op Jansen has not examined it's prin-
ciples. The high officers Of the order
should enlighten him, and if he re-
mains obstinate they should appeal to
the tribunal of last resort at Rome and
obtain Il decision. If the ritual con-
tains anything contrary to faith OF
morals, the conscientious Catholics who
belong to it would be glad to find it
out. There are now enrolled in the
order 3O.436 insured members and
3S,255 associate members, showing an
increase of IL, 1OS during the past year.
Such society Of practical Catholics,
embracing bishops, priests and lay
men, can accomplish a vast amount of
good and WELD bencfcent influence
in the land of Columbus.