The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-05-25
Cardinal Farley Says Disease of
Divorce is Worse Than Cholera
or Plague.
Calls it 1ncipient Free Love Which
is One of the Plans of
Socialism.
Philosophy of Socialistic Doctrine
Based on Materialistic
Theory.

In an address the other day be-
fore the New York County Federation
of Catholic Societies, Cardinal Farley
had something to say on divorce and
socialism. AS one of the divinely
commissioned guardians of morals, a
Catholic bishop would be guilty of
disloyalty if he remained silent
whilst he saw the organized forces
of immortality marshalling for an as
sault upon the basic principles of
Christian civilization, says the Moni-
tor. His duty is plain. Recognizing
the obligations imposed by tnat duty,
Cardinal Farley raises voice OF
| warning and of condemnation against
the divorce system and certain
form of socialism. In dealing with
the divorce evil, the Cardinal fitting
ly described it when he said: "The
disease of divorce is worse than chol-
era or any plague, for it goes to the
f, very root of society; it casts shame
on fathers and mothers and innocent
children"
Even If the subject of divorce were
a species of academic question, these
words of tho Cardinal would be start
ling. But, unfortunately, the question.
they deal with is a practical one for
this country. Statistics show that in
the United States the proportion of
divorces to marriages is one to twelve.
OF twelve couples who solemnly
plight their faith to be true to their
marital obligations, one couple violate
those obligations preparatory, in most
cases, to going once more through the
marriage ceremony. No other civil
ized land can show such terrible
record. It is one that must fill with
alarm every lover of his country.
Equally menacing is certain form
of socialism. The economic aspect of
socialism is one in regard to which
there may be a legitimate division of
opinion. Whether the State shall
supersede the individual employer and
assume charge of many forms of pro-
duction and exchange is question
open for debate. But there is no
noon for debate when. under the pre-
text of defending economic theories.
the poison of immortality is dissemin-
ated insidiously. In referring to that
form of socialism, the Cardinal han
dies it in this fashion: Divorce is
nothing but incipient free love, and
free love is one of the plans Of so.
cialism. The reason / call your at
tention to socialism is because have
reason to believe that, as socialists
feel that the Catholic Church Is the
only barrier to their success, they
are working with all possible effort
to get foothold in the Church"
His Eminence draws line between
the propagation of economic views
and the advocacy of doctrines based
on the pagan view that life begins
and ends in this world, and that
therefore it is the part of wisdom to
get out of it the greatest possible
amount of sensual pleasure. To quote
from the published report of the Car
dinals remarks: II have nothing to
say about economic theories. l am
speaking about their moral require.
ments. Eat, drink, and be merry,
today, for tomorrow we die. Get all
you can in the world while you are
here, for after you are gone there
won't be any more to get! On these
they base their appeal. 1t is not to
be wondered at that they catch many
with their visionary promises OF a
division Of everything in sight. 1t is
our duty to be apostles, defenders OF
the Church in this danger"
The moral anarchy Cardinal Farley
refers to is fraught with the gravest
peril to society. To say that socialism
stands solely for economic changes
is no adequate answer to the Car.
dinal's criticism. What is of supreme
moment are the ideas connoted with
these proposed changes, and how
these ideas are presented to the rank
and file of the socialists. We can
bear personal testimony to the fact
that the CAtdinal has not exaggerat.
81 El. 4 y ~ ~ ti Il Z