The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-08-23
STATE AND DIOCESAN FEDERA-
TloNS OF CATHOLIC WoMEN'S
SOCIETIES MUST BE THE BASIS
OF A NATIONAL FEDERATION.
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
Rev. James Donahoe.)

Archbishop Messmer of Milwaukee,
He is thoroughly conversant with the
results achieved in different countries
in Europe and exhorts our women to
follow the example set by their sisters
in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium,
Spain, England, Poland, Italy and
Switzerland. He wishes that Ameri-
affiliated to the international Fedora
ton of Catholic Leagues which was
formed in Brussels in the year 1910
1t would seem at first thought that
American Catholic women would be as
progressive as their co-religionists in
Europe and that all our vigorous
churchmen and jealous laymen would
favor a national federation of Catholic
women. Though the majority believe
in cooperation the principle of feder.
lea has not yet been considered Sc
vital as to bring about the existence
of national organization.
Federated Charitable Societies.
At the Eleventh Annual Convention
of the American Federation of Cath
olic Societies the matter of national
union of women societies was dis
cussed at length but was not sup
ported by majority of the delegates
The chief reason for deferring action
was opposition to the project by in
f1uential leaders in charity work, such
as Mgr. Mcmahon, New York, and DR.
Kerby of Washington, who desired tc
see federation of Catholic women's
charitable organizations formed. Al
the Second Conference of Catholic
Charities, Washington, September %
25, 1912, a "Women's National Fedora
tion of Catholic Charities was per
manently organized. 1t was unan
imously adopted that this federation
be composed of Catholic women's or
ganizations and of individual mem
bers classified as follows:
! (a) Catholic women's organization
devoted exclusively to charity work
(b) Catholic women's organization
which include philanthropic worl
among their activities;
(c) Catholic women who apply TO
membership provided they contribute
to the support of the Federation.
1t was deemed wise to district tn
country into the Eastern Section, tn
Southern Section, the North Contra
Section and the Western Section. TIL
Catholic charity workers in each sec
tion were advised to meet every year
and it was determined that the meet
ings of the Federation occur ever,
second year simultaneously with tn
meetings of the National Conference
of Catholic Charities in Washington
Mrs. Thomas FL. Carter, Washington
d. c., was made President.
Besides effecting a national organi
zation the delegates took up, and Wig
orously discussed the important prob
lem Of the protection of young girl
and much progress was made in re
gard to united and uniform efforts il
Catholic Travellers Aid Work.
| why tne PROJECT FdIeo.
Firm believers in the good to resul
| from federation of all Catholic WON
ems organizations had strong reason
to hope that permanent national OF
ganization would be effected at tn,
Twelfth Annual Convention of tn,
American Federation of Catholic So
cieties held in Milwaukee, last week
Though this important matter came vi
for discussion on two occasions a
regular sessions of the Convention
a Federation of American Catholi,
Women is not yet an accomplished
fact. Prospects we're bright. FEEDER
alton advocates were sanguine of tn,
realization Of their dearest hopes ant
it may well be asked why the assem-
bled Catholic women did not form ;
national league. The obstacle in tht
way was and is lack of unity in one o
the most powerful, at least the mos
strongly represented, of America
Catholic societies. The regrettablt
lack of Christian harmony which fol
years has obtained in the nationa
conventions of this particular society
was injected into the proceedings a.
Milwaukee IL this one body of mill
tant women is allowed to carry iti
factional differences into the Thir
teenth Federation Convention at Bal
tiWore there is slight hope that closel
union of all American Catholic won
ems organizations will be brough
about next year.
Diocesan Federation Needed.
What we need most and should
work for strenuously is civic, diocesan
and state unions of Catholic societies
Until this desired federation exists ii
each diocese and state we cannot con
sistent1y advocate national or inter
national federation In Minnesot:
there is lacking the union of Catho1it
forces that would enable laymen ant
women to accomplish something D
real benefit for religion. In almos
all instances fraternaI societies are Ia
boring solely for the growth Of thei
own particular organization. In to,
many cases rapid increase OF member
ship results in lowering the genera