The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-21

Question and Answer, care The Cathe
Are Catholics who belong to the
Orders of the Knights of Pythias and
Odd Fellows allowed by the Church
to receive the Sacraments? Why do
they receive in some dioceses and not
in others?
The Knights of Pythias and the
Odd Fellows are among the secret So
cieties which the Church, by name,
forbids her children to join. Since this
condemnation was issued no Catholic
can join either of these organizations
and be regarded as practical Cath
Ole. Special provision, however, is
made for those who belonged to the
societies prior to the time of their con-
demnation. AS they Joined in good
faith the Church took this into consid-
Grafton and decreed that Catholics who
possessed what are called vested
rights" in these organizations be al
lowed to remain on certain con-
ditions. These conditions are that
IACS uO AOGu1AS A4OAC LAOA pay
ever fees are required to keep up
their membership and remain in good
standing, never attend a meeting or
accept official position in the society
or in any way identify themselves
publicly with it. If they are willing
to abide by these conditions they then
present their case to the Apostolic
Delegate, who will decide whether or
not they have sufficient reason to re-
tain their membership and on these
conditions being fulfilled they will be
allowed to continue as members and
still be considered good Catholics.
Under these circumstances, and under
these alone, are they permitted to ap-
proach the Sacramento. Hence, when
we see people who we know to be mem
bers of the Knights of Pythias or Odd
Fellows approaching the Sacraments
we must not jump to the conclusion
that they are hypocrites, because they
may have gone through the necessary
procedure in order to obtain permits
sion to remain in these societies with
out detriment to their rights as Cath
olics. 1t may happen also that Cath
olics who are members of these for
hidden societies do not make that fact
known in confession and, hence, are
permitted to receive Holy Communion
when, if their affiliations were known
to the confessor, no such permission
would be given them. The rules re-
garding membership in these organi-
cations are the same in all dioceses
and no general permission can be given
in one diocese more than in another.
They all come under the same ban
and only those who fulfil the condi-
lions are allowed to retain their mem
bership in these societies and at the
same time be regarded as practical
Catholics.
one was foolish as to say he was a
fool? 2. If a man makes his children
work on HOLIDAY of obligation which
falls in harvest time, would it be a
sin for the children, or would 1t be a
sin only for the man who forced them
to work?
1. In all probability neither express
sion would be more than venial sin.
These expressions are commonly used
as by-words without any intention of
rejecting very seriously upon the men,
tai condition of the person to whom
they are applied. 2. If there be any
urgent necessity for the farmer and
his sons to work in the harvest field
on a holyday of obligation it would
not be a sin for them to do So The
does not bind if it's observance would
involve serious inconvenience. For in
stance, work in the harvest field
which cannot be stopped without grave
Inconvenience and loss may be done
on Sunday or HOLIDAY of obligation.
Of course, if the farmer forced his
sons to do unnecessary work on such
days it would be sinful, not for them,
but for him.
1. am told that dancing on Satur-
day night is not allowed by the Catho-
lie Church. If so, why does the Church
not object to dancing on Sundays and
Holydays? Does one commit a mortal
sin if he goes to Saturday night
dance and spends the night dancing
there being no Mass next morning?
2. Are Catholic ladies forbidden to
attend Ladies Aid" meetings where
they sing few hymns and say a
prayer, provided the Catholic ladies
90 only in social way and take
no part in the religious exercise?
l. The Catholic Church has no
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