The Irish standard., 1904-08-06
FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES

FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.
The American Federation of Catho-
lie societies now in session in Detroit,
Michigan, is Il federation of all the
Catholic societies, religious, social,
fraternal and benevolent. The organ
iZation is but three years old, having
been effected three years ago at Gin
cinnati. 1t has, however, already be-
come movement of great power and
influence. It's membership is now
more than 100000. The purpose is
to eventually enlist the entire Catho-
lie population of the United States.
Bishop McFaul, of New Jersey, in
recent article in Donahoe's magazine,
stated that it's object was "to add
even the representative members of
parishes who belong to no special So
ciety and eventually the entire Catho-
lie population of the United States in
great organization for the welfare
of Catholics as members of the Cath
Ole church and American citizens"
The organization is non-political in
the sense that it does not support any
political party. 1t is political in the
sense that it aims to make of it's men,
bers good and loyal American citizens.
1t may also be considered political in
the sense that its object is to promote
by united action the growth of the
Catholic church in the United States.
The New York Sun thus comments Oh
the federation and it's objects:
1.-THE scheme, it will be seen, is yi-
gantic. Bishop McFaul estimates the
Roman Catholic population of the
United States at 15,0OO,OOO. The num-
Der as given by the Catholic Directory
for the present year is only 11,SS7,317.
to which, however, are to be added
the many millions in our illsuar DOS
sessions. The combined membership
Of the various Protestant denomina-
lions in 1908 is estimated by DR..
Walter Laidlow ut 1S,S7O759, which,
he computes, represents total popu-
lation of Protestant sympathies of
more than forty-seven millions. The
cllurchless population he puts at less
than twenty-five millions.
''If it is possible to bring together
all American Catholics in a federation
through which to WELD their COM
bincd influence, the scheme will be of
-,rime Importance in American history
a similar federation of Protestants is
impossible. 1t is true that there is a
organization, but it is of limited men,
bcrslip and is restricted in it's sphere
of operations. Among the 119,O27
members enumerated in it's last an
nual report are included. for instance,
i4.1G1 Protestant Episcopalans; but
Il great and increasing part of that
churcll-to which school, by the way,
belongs Judge Parker, the Democratic
candidate for president reject with
loathins the title of Protestant and
call themselves Catholics If, more
over, the 'churchless population was
extended to include all those who do
not so to church the number, accord
ing to the census of church attendance
taken last year in representative
towns, would be at least twice the
twenty-five millions estimated by DR..
Laidlow-a majority of the total popu-
lation.
"Bishop McFaul urges the necessity
Of Roman Catholic federation as a
means of bringing together the Cath
olics of many races in this country,
assisting in their assimilation as
Americans and overcoming the fric-
ton arising from race prejudices and
race peculiarities.' If this could be
accomplished by that means, the fed
Grafton would prove of general advan-
tage DR.. Laidlaw estimates that of
the Catholic population less than
million We're of native descent in 1900.
If, as Bishop McFaul has calculated,
all the Catholics and their descend
ants received by immigration and in
territory Incorporated into the Union
by the Louisiana purchase and other
territorial accessions on this continent
had remained steadfast in their faith.
the total Catholic population. instead
of being 100000, would be now 40,
100000, or about one-half of the tota
population of the Union. 1t is thi.
loss in the past which most induce.
him to urge the concentration of Cath
olic influence in such a federation a,
hat whose convention is now Assem-