The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-16
~ z.ALCOHOu|C CONGRESS
Thirteenth INTERNATIONAL
MEETING HELD IN THE
NETHERLANDS.

America Represented-Priests r. A.
League-catholic crusades-Work
In the Netherlands.
| (Written for The Catholic Bulletin.)
On Tuesday, September 18th, the
thirteenth international congress
against alcoholism was opened in the
pavilion (Kurhau's) in Scheveningen
(Netherlands) by the Premier of the
Queens Cabinet, Mr.. Heemskerk,
Secretary of the Interior. His Ex-
cellency stated that the Netherlands
In comparison with other countries
made an excellent showing with re-
gard to the use of alcoholic drinks,
but declared, also, that the interna-
tional war against them proves neces-
sary, and that, therefore, it would be
of the greatest interest that the lead
ers should develop their ideas in this
congress.
The Attorney General, the Gov
ernor of the Province, the Burgomas-
ter Of The Hague, and other officials
were present, as we'll as representa-
tives from many other countries.
Right Rev. A. J. Caller, Bishop of
Harlem, was the representative of
His Holiness Plus x.
Before the official opening there
had been Solemn Benediction in the
church in Scheveningen, during which
Rev. Vitus Hentzen preached from
the text: "The Love of Christ Prompts
U.s."
The congress treated mostly about
scientific methods and systems which
may be left aside here. Only this must
be believed that attacks on the Catho-
lie clergy by Professors Ferrari
(Milan), Forel (Switzerland) and
others were gloriously repulsed under
the applause of the majority.
Priests Total Abstinence League.
A dignified answer to those insinu-
ations was the meeting of Priests
Teetotalers, held Tuesday in the
Hague, and presided over by Rev. D.
Weertz Cologne, Prussia). There
were gathered about fifty priests from
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Po-
land, Luxembourg, Belgium and Ne
therland. The chairman protested
against the proposition of Professor
Ferrari that in Italy not one sim
gle alcoholist has been saved by the
Church, and that the Church was i'm
potent against alcoholism. After that
Rev. M. Mueller, G. PIP. S. (Ohio,
u. 81 delegate from the G. T. A. u. of
America, declared that that organiza-
tion counts over 10000 members, but
that really there are more than 600,-
900 Catholic total abstainers, amongst
them the majority of the Bishops.
About 500 priests are organized tee
totalers, but there are about three
times as many unorganized ones. The
Catholic Church in the United States
has in two national councils taken a
stand against alcoholism, and also has
strongly urged Catholics not to be
saloonkeepers.
In German-speaking countries the
Priests T. A Union counts 615 mem
bers, amongst them the Bishops of
st. Gallen (Switzerland), Gashow
(Hungary), Siebenbuergen and Lai-
bach (Austria) and Hildesheim (Prus-
sia).
In Belgium there are about 70
priests, total abstainers, "a of whom
belong to the Diocese of Liege. In
Ireland the movement is especially
supported by the Capuchin Fathers
who have been assigned by the
Bishops to preach the crusade against
alcoholism.
A tremendous applause followed the
words of the Pope's representative
Bishop Caller, who showed that alco
hol is the real cause of great moral
, misery, as it weakens the force of the
will, and deprives it's unhappy vic
, Tins of their mind, which is the foun
, dation of all morality. The Catholic
Church found that the most frequent
, cause of divorces is alcohol. The Holy
, Father is in sympathy with the noble
> efforts of SO many persons of ali
classes who fight against alcohol, anG
from his heart he blesses the doings ot
, this congress.
international Catholic crusades.
Thursday, September 14th, in the
same place as where the Internationa
Congress was held, a general meet
ing took place of the 1nternationa
Roman Catholic crusade agains
: drink. The largest hall of the pavil
ion was overcrowded.
The chairman, Baronet Ch. Ruys d.
Beerenbrouch, welcomed all presen
!, in the Holland, French and German
: languages, and declared that tn,
: Catholic crusaders valued it mos
highly, that the Pope had sent spe
!. cial representative to the congress
!. which proves that this crusade is
!, thing not of Indifferent value to Hi
Holiness and to Catholics. Thi
) representative In prevented from be