The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-12-07

IHE CATHOLIC BUl
that in their zeal for the purity of
their faith they will do it without
trouble. Beyond this, these
same syndicates, in order to be
such that Catholics may join them,
should abstain from all tendencies
and all acts which are not in con-
cord with the teaching and the
orders Of the Church, or the legiti-
mate religious power. There
should be nothing reprehensible as
regards this principle in their
writings, their words, or their
acts" Catholics who have joined
these unions should see to it that
in their corporate activity to pro-
mote the temporal welfare Of their
members they do nothing at vari-
ance with the maxims of faith and
Catholic morals.
In order to safeguard still furth-
er the welfare of Catholic work
ingmen the Encyclical declares
that whenever problems involving
considerations appertaining to JUS
tice or charity arise, the Bishops
should exercise vigilance in order
that no loss may accrue to Cath
olics from membership in these
societies.
Although this Encyclical is in
tended for the Catholics Of Ger
many, it's provisions apply to
other countries where similar con-
ditions exist. Hence, it carries it's
note of warning to the Catholic
workmen Of America. In this
country exclusively Catholic labor
unions are not possible owing to
the proportionately small number
Of Catholic workmen who would
be eligible to membership in them.
Such exclusively Catholic unions,
if formed, would be few in number
and incapable of exerting any
great influence on the industrial
life Of the nation. Catholics are
therefore permitted to join with
their non-Catholic fellow-workers
in forming unions to safeguard
their rights and to promote the
general good. In all cases, how
ever, it is their bounden duty to
do their utmost to see that the
unions Of which they are members
undertake no project or advocate
no measures that are not in &C
cordance with the principles of
faith and morals as taught by the
Cathol lie Church. If the union
adopts a policy inconsistent with
Catholic teaching, it is the. duty of
it's Catholic members to unite in a
solemn protest against such action
and, If their protest be not needed,
then they should sever all connec-
ton with the organization, other
wise they cannot hold themselves
blameless if injury be done to the
individual or the state, and are
thus made participants in the
wrong done by the union.
That there are in this country
labor unions whose methods
should be repudiated by every
Catholic workingman is evident
from the revelations that are be-
ing made at the trial Of the lead
ers of certain organization
charged with conspiracy to pro-
mote it's aims by the use Of dyna-
mite. Such unions work irrepara-
BILE harm to the cause Of organized
labor. They are a menace to the
welfare Of the Individual and Of
the state. The means by which
they strive to further the purposes
for which they are organized are
utterly at variance with the teach
ings Of religion. Catholics should
have nothing to do with them, no
matter how specious the argu-
ments put forth to entice them to
join. Any labor union which does
not recognize the binding force
and supreme value Of the eternal
principles Of justice and right as
taught by the Catholic Church
should have no Catholic name on
it's roster Of membership.