The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-08-02
FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES,
One Mission of Federation is to Secure Laymans Helm 70
Make This Country Catholic
0Conclnded from Last Week.)

Aside from the union of societies, as
such, there is another important phase
of this subject Take any city, large
or small; let the number of its Cath
ole societies be as great as it may
can you name one place where the just
criticism will not apply that there is
no Catholic sentiment, no Catholic So
cial life to speak of, in word, no
Catholic public opinion representing
all these societies? What would hinder
Federation, at least once in a while.
bringing all these elements together
| into social contact as American citi-
zens, so that they might at least be-
come better acquainted for common
cause? Especially in the matter Of
cities would this illustrate the force of
unity and emphasize the great neces-
sity for Catholic opinion. The result
of such getting together could not but
make for the betterrnent of the inter
ests of Catholics, and by thus grad
ually forming a Catholic sentiment rear
tower of strength for the protection
of Catholic interests. The idea does
not at all necessarily involve a clan
nishness which would be I'M American.
1t is unquestionably true that the near
er Catholics and Professionals touch in
business social and professional life,
| the more they come to understand one
another and thereby level the barriers
| of bigotry. This fact is not, however,
| in conflict with the idea. as things
practically are about us, of Catholics,
on proper occasions. getting closer to-
! gether in that social acquaintance and
intercourse which is certain to make
them a power in every community.
In the last analysis, a most import
ant mission of Federation is to secure
the layman's part in helping to make
this country Catholic. Such hope
is not an idle dream. To even super
fetal observers and thinkers Protest
antism has not satisfied, and cannot
resist the stern, searching logic Of
American thought Infdelity, agnosti-
cism, or absolute Indifference is already
rapidly digging the grave of Protest
antism in the United States
A great work of federation is to
build up Catholicity into living. con-
trolling force in the moral, social and
intellectual activities energizing and
throbbing at the heart of this restless
American age. Federation must forge
to the front as a leader in that kind OF
endeavor which not only compels re-
spect but begets confidence and wins
esteem. Its best energy, its highest
ideals should find expression in labors
inviting and sure to receive the ap-
prevail and even cooperation of all
Americans-labors that will make far
nobler manhood among men and con-
sequently, far better citizenship for the
republic. There are more than ample
opportunities about us for the work Of
faIa NJ 20 rO
and successful accomplishment, effect
ed in this movement. and Catholicity
can be made in this country what our
great Dontiff has made the church in
the world at large-a factor of COM
handing influence instead of the timid,
shrinking apologist it has too long been
for its very existence. Such a position
achieved misunderstanding will clear
away. the tongue of SANDER will be
hushed in the silence of shame, and
CathOlicity will take that place in the
hearts and minds of the American peo-
pie which Professionalism has never real
ly had and never can sufficiently nil.
The keen, analytical matter of fact
American mind that is questioning
everything: that is sitting out the in
trinsic merits of all things; that coldly
assails the logic of all things-by empty
pews it startlingly emphasizes it's con-
tempt for man-made creeds. With this
pulpit denying the divinity of Christ,
that one questioning the trinity, and
another entirely eliminating God, and
all joining in open attack upon some
essential of the revealed truth with this
Earring confusion and chaos-the neces-
sity and inevitable result of private in
depreciation of the Bible-against this
self-evident, stultifying condition the
Intelligence of America already openly
rebels. Will the result be absolute in
difference, atheism or a return to Cath
licity?
Let the inherently religious, Chris
tan trend of America get away from
Its imaginary fears of Rome; from its
childish notions of clerical domina-
ton; from its false ideas of freedom of
thought. Let it come to know the real
truth of what Catholic belief really is,
and who will not say America may not
turn to satisfying, undoubting belief
In God rather than man-made creeds.
1t must have been some such move
ment for unity of action by the CathO-
lie laity as that which we now advo-
cate that Archbishop Ireland had in
mind when, several years ago, speak
ing to the Catholic societies of Eng
land, he urged upon them the neces-
sity for union and an apostleship of
the laity. AS / recall from memory
he said substantially: Upon the worlds
broad battlefield of strife between the
forces of light and darkness, without
the strong arm of the laity supporting,
We prelates are as captains whose rank
and file have fed their colors upon the
field"
With the same thought in mind to-
night the Federation, summoning to the
field of moral and intellectual endeav-
or, points to where, for God, our lady
and our country, the chivaIric knight
hood of the American Catholic laity
can thrust with lance as bright and
strike with a brand as trenchant as
ever did a Godfrey de Bouillion or
Tancred of old.
Some of the great Catholic journals
have already recognized the possibili-
ties of Federation as powerful factor
in removing what in Catholic fraternal
life has proved a great drawback to a
closer union-the barriers of national
ity. We all despise man who is not
proud of his lineage. De we not,
though, sometimes carry racial pride
SO far into American life that it spurs
to retaliation? How often indigna-
ton burns to hear men, removed no
further than ourselves from the i'm
migrant ship. prating about the for
eign element'i Federation is the most
means to knit more closely
together men of different races-espec-
ALLY those of German and Irish blood.
Time was when racial methods. man
ners and customs were so radically diff |
ferent that congenial association
seemed an impossibility. A great !
change in this regard has been |
In most localities former
conditions are now so modified that !
only the opportunities of Federation |
On a large scale are needed to blend |
and harmonic men of different blood. |