The Irish standard., 1908-10-10
PRIESTS IN X. OF c.
Wholesome Regulation That Will
Work for the Orders Good.

Wholesome Regulation That Will
Work for the Orders Good.
The regulation made by several or
our prominent prelates that in future
no priest is to act as chaplain to the
Knights Of Columbus would seem to be
an act Of episcopal recognition of tnat
organization. which it's members had
not expected. says the Messenger for
September.
Priests. as rule, do not assume
charges or responsibilities in which
their ministerial character is involved
without the authorization Of their &C
clesiastical superiors. AS official rep
resentatives of the Church they should
do nothing to identify her with. any
movement or body of men and women
without due sanction. 1t rests with
tho bishops to determine whether an
enterprise or society be worthy of
priestly attention, and what priests
are the proper persons to direct AVID
control 1t. Long ago few bishops
forbade their clergy to take part in
the extravagant forms Of initiation to
which some had submitted. not with
out loss Of their clerical dignity ind
influence over those with whom thc,,
were associated In council Hitherto
there has been no attempt to control
the choice of their chaplains, but With
cut doubt in the near future every
bishop will assert his right of veto
over the choice Of any priest whom he
may consider unit for this charge.
Though this action does not imply
ecclesiastical sanction for the organi~
cation. 1t recognizes the councils rs
societies of Catholic men. amenaDle i'll
everything to the authorities of the
Church. We need not say that eor
many reasons we consider this wise
and opportune measure. one that ws.s
needed not only to safeguard the rights
Of the hierarchy. but also and chiefly
joining the knights, tho assurance that
he is not by so doing compromising
his character as a Catholic. The ragu-
lation should make for the good Of the
society. The principles it processes
and the aims 1t has in view are incon-
ceivable without proper ecclesiastical
direction. Indeed. to such direction
in the past is largely due it's rapid
growth and Catholic spirit. This very
growth and spirit necessitate even
more careful and judicious pricstly adj
vice than it was possible TO have in the
beginning. There are signs which
without 1t point to forgetfulness cf
the intention OF Its founder. priest.
and to serious departure from the
ideals by which its promoters attract
ed SO many members. 81.
Allowing for all the good which the
society has done. or enabled it's indi-
vidual members to accomplish, even
it's most enthusiastic panegyrist will
not claim that it's fruits are at all
commensurate with its numbers and
its opportunities. The fact that It has
provided a society which keeps thou
sands from joining evil secret associa.
tions. inspired reverence Tor the
Church and its priesthood as we'll as
i,,I, e<, <h,.SFk
its own members. or that Individual
councils promote certain philanthropic
enterprises, Is not enough to justify
either it's elaborate and expensive or
ganization. or its claim to be the lead
ing body OF Catholic men in this coun-
try. It surely is doing little. IL any
thing, to enable its members to ad-
vance themselves intellectually. or be-
come influential factors in public af-
fairs. On the contrary. it would ap-
pear that there is among the knights
not so much among the members, as
among it's officers. an antipathy to
such advancement or exercise of in
fluence. Why, for instance. should its
officials fight shy of the Federation Of
Catholic societies. III spite Of the fact
that it's best members consider i:
prime duty of every Catholic body ID
take part in this movement? At pres
cnt this seems to be the weakness Of
the knights Of Columbus; they are 50
constituted that the entire membership
can be swayed by, a few, and made:,to
appear antagonistic to any Catholic