The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
PAS TORAL LET Ter
OF THE RIGHT REVEREND JOS
EPH r. BUSCH, BISHOP or
LEAD.

To the Priests and Faithful of the
Diocese of Lead:
h Beloved Brethren: At the begin
ming of the new year it is well for us
to remind ourselves of the many re-
sponsibilities that rest upon us and to
make such definite plans and resolu-
tions as may be necessary to fulfil
our different duties.
Among our responsibilities there
are none more important than those
of religion. Alas, such is the confus-
ion and carelessness in matters of
religion, not only outside the church
but also among many who call them
selves or are considered her members,
that it seems necessary to call spe-
cial attention t0 even the most ele-
mentary Catholic practices, to duties
that until recentIy were accepted by
all wfthout qi1esfion and observed al
mpnt n 5fhnut exception.
81. u. !. Z, : >-....,,.-
81 n /, N ',s'. .'' s. s 2 ]. ..sr'
Sat5 ~ n Is & ~ = DiAp $ = snip a..
- s. sst - sss ~ u.iuays
E1S.as : en uu.y
Sealsae ping r1sls anu ADS LII.
enc sis lln'.al s,n,sssion II - anu
l nuty o1 sup s'i
poEss aseo - one MEANS. we
S1pssst'7 snee ne ~ MahIlase La3s ?,
Isiiess sVpvlous 1nu
serious dueae$ 0ss SouI psEsnts. WIN
ltney 2De so asRs ey osr 4
NOT unless IneX ~ e ai1nAuiiy onsess--f :
ed Dg ourseives
So imporIahk &K 8 taese Iaatters els 3. 4
no one can % eeaslasI'eu ~ SalhollY
IN good stanQings Qk ~ " sly prac.
tlcal Cathoiies no alsfesanass any ~
the duties Wnlcn me cnurchs mas 1e-
fined IN her speciaI precepts Or cotllr
mandments.
Strictly speaking oniy e practlcat
Cathollc, one IN goou slahdihs, on&
who observes the precepts oI ti15
church, - enfltlsa fo' kfA 3 IL
the cifufcssstliief
Catholics are not entlreiy denied the
blessings ana rites or nekcnurcn " Is
only because OF the long suHering pa
tfence commanded Dy the SaVlor' her
Iounoer.
But pad and careless Catnoilcs can
not expect PUBIC recognl1lon OF nom
ors at the hands OF the cnurcn wnlcn
they outrage ana disgrace by ,tneir
unworthy lives. On the contrary the
church owes 1t TO nerselI, 70 ner ioyai
members ana TO the OUTSIDE World 10
resent and protest against the Insult
and injury onered TO reilglon oy those
unworthy OF the name OF Catholic
A Catholic therefore who is notorl-
ousiy careless IN attending MASS, VINO
instead OF observing the Iasts ana ap-
stinences IS drunkard, or one VINO
stubbornly refuses TO receive the sac
raments rather than abandon some
bad habit, one VINO evidently sh1rks
his just share OF church support
while ne accumulates wealth or spends
his substance IN extravagant seif-ln-
diligence and display; one who roi-
lows his passion or Whlm In defance
OF the marriage laws OF the 'churcn,
such one is bad Catholic, dry
brancn, MT only for the nre, cnarac-
ter to De dlstrusted, aVolded ana dls-
owned.
Therefore, only practical Catholics
will be publicly recognized by the
church only Cathohc IN good
standing Will De allowed to vote at
any parish meeting in the Diocese OF
Lead, only such shall be eligible to
any office, whether as church trustee
or as officer OF any Catholic Society.
Only Catholics IN good standing at the
time OF their death viii be allowed a
Requiem High Mass and only the
names OF such as have been good
practical Catnoilcs Will be mentioned
ara annanncad For +ha - 'danar+ad =
An aYcention win he made onlv
when had or careless catholics have
declared before two reliable witnesses
that thew deplore the had examnJe
thew have given. when thew have ar
ranged for the settlement of their