The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-08
BISHOP
DENOUNCES
DANCING

An episcopal letter from Bishop William
Stang OF Fall River diocese, in which
dancing is characterized as an infectious
sink OF impiety and obscenty and Satur-
day night dances forbidden as leading to
the desecration OF the Lords day. was
read in the Catholic churches here today
The letter is as follows:
The diocesan statutes are now in your
hands, and you are bound I'm conscience
TO study them and to put them into ex-
ecution. While a portion OF them are for
your own sanctihcation and pastoral di-
rectiOn, several DEGREES refer directly 10
the conduct Of the people committed 10
your care Thus, it is strictly forbidden
TO have dancing on Saturday nights and
Sundays
Saturday night dances lead 10 desecra-
tion OF the Lords day; they have been
a source OF scandal In the past; they must
be stopped at once. While calling the at
tention of your people 10 statute 81 you
will denounce. with apostolic freedom and
zeal, indiscriminate and lascivious dances,
so common in our days.
Although Salls and dancing be recre-
ations of their own nature indifferent"
as st. Francis de Sales moderately re-
marks, yet, on account OF the manner
in which they are generally conducted
they preponderate very much on the Ide
OF evil, and are consequently extremely
dangerous.
Remember the holy doctor here speaks
Of indifferent dancing; he considers even
this kind OF dancing as dangerous and
susceptible of evil, and an opportunity
for some basilsk 10 breathe loose words
into the ears and TO cast an impure look
or wanton glances into the heart.
rt,g NV11 IL, 4,
inE and -callour denunciatlons- -exagger-
ations and unreasonable exactions without
solid foundation. The silly girl sees no
harm I'm going to dances until. like the un-
wary butterfly that gets too near the
flame. she has the wings Of the soul
singed by the flame OF impure love and
her innocence has vanished forever leav-
ing her the dark prospect Of a ruined fu-
ture. IL not an early grave of shame.
The fathers and doctors are unani-
nous I'm branding the custom OF dane
ing n an infectious sink OF impiety ana
obscenity. as the school OF vice and the
grave OF innocence. Speaking of the
dancing OF Herodias, which cost tho head
OF one OF the holiest men, St John Chrys-
ostom says:
1T is the devil that made her dance
so gracefully. FOR he is always present
where there is a dance" :
Even pagans looked upon dancing as
n vicious thing. Cicero considered dane
ing NJ only for drunkards and fools
when he maintained: NO one sober IS
ever found to dance. unless he be a
fool"
Among the kinds OF modern dances
pointed out by theologaus as decidedly
indecent and. therefore strictly forbid
den are what IS called tho waltz polka,
gallon and others Of a kindred nature.
The second plenary council OF Balti-
more makes ~ our sacred duty 10 at
tack and condemn immodest dances,
which are daily growing moro common.
II is our duty TO admonish the faithful
how they sin. not only against God, but
against society, their families and
themselves, by taking part In these
dances or countensncing theuf by their
presence
II is our duty to teach parents what n
serious judgment they will have TO undcr-
60 N they expose their sons and daugh-
ters TO the danger OF losing purity and
Innocence OF mind by allowing them 10
be thus entrapped IN the snares OF Satan.
The gentle St Francis advises those
who through -unapaldahlA-eI -eIEenInstanccs $
are led into the bathrooms 20 consider :hat
during the time they are at the ball In
Vulnerable souls are burning I'm hell for
the sins which they had committed or oc-
casioned by their dancing.
Vain and frivolous amusements are
unworthy OF Catholic Christians who fol-
low n thorn-croNncd King. We cannot
amuse ourselves with sinful things aud
then expect TO rejoice with Christ. Life
IL serious. time is passing, death u rapid
~ advancing. Let Va look for pleasures
that are everlasting and new.