The Irish standard., 1913-05-10
Especial, to the Irish standard.)

! washington, ID. c., May 6.-Ar-
engagements have been perfected for
the converting at the capital of the
Army and Navy chaplains, the first
one of it's kind ever held in the his
! tory Of the country.
1t will take place at the Apostolic
i Mission House during commencement
week at the Catholic University of
America, and continue for three days,
June 10th, 18th and 18th.
| Both Secretary Of War Garrison and
Secretary of the Navy Daniels, under
whom the chaplains come directly,
have given their approval OF the meet
ing, and the former has already di-
rected the commanding officers. under
whom Catholic chaplains are serving,
to allow them to attend, and not
charge such time absent against them
as leave.
The main object of the congress is
to discuss, 81 number of important
questions connected with a chaplain's
duties, and as great results have al
ways been accomplished by organiza-
ton, the coming together of these
priests from far and near, for a NUT
ual exchange of views and experiences
cannot help but increase the efficiency
of our Catholic Chaplain Corps, which
every one of the faith must feel much
pride in.
The congress will open with a SOL
emn High Mass, at which a dignitary
of the church will make the address.
| Various papers will be read eco
minutes being allotted to each) the
chaplains having the subjects assigned
them in advance. and no paper shall
contain an apparent or overt attack
upon nonC Catholic chaplains. Discus
sion will follow and the author of the
4 respective papers will be expected to
answer all questions referring to the
subject Some of the subjects as
signed are:
"a Missionary Congress-" by Rev.
| William Henry Ironsides Reaney,
known as the greatest sea-going
priest in the world" and the only
Catholic chaplain with the rank of
captain in the navy. He has had 21
years service as a navy chaplain, and
is now on the dreadnought Utah.
the temporary flagship of the Attain
tic fleet.
4 Faculties and Dispensations," by
Rev. Timothy P. oKeefe, chaplain,
18th Cavalry, whom, President Taft
promoted to the rank of Major. after
ten years service as a chaplain among
the enlisted men. Father O'Keefe is
now stationed at Alcatraz, California,
}, for duty at the Military Prison.
1.-The Sacrament of Matrimony," by
| Rev. Louis P. Reynolds Chaplain, U.
S. Navy. Father Reynolds has been
in the service since 1900. and before
his appointment was at st. Matthew's
church. Washington.
TIC odCidilclI Ol 13upllSlN, by
I Rev. Francis B. Doherty, chaplain, 3rd
. Cavalry, now on duty at Fort Sam
Houston, Texas.
''The Chaplain Corps" by Rev. Eu-
gene E. Mcdonald, chaplain. L. S.
Navy, Navy Yard, New York
THE CiSaplain's Uniform" by Rev.
James A. Ferry, chaplain, Coast Ar
!. tillery, U. S. Army. at Fort Washing
ton, Maryland. ~ -....
"A large number Of ether subjects
for general discussion will be subject
to the call of any reverend chaplain
by the Reverend Chairman of the
Congress.
In the joint Army and Navy service
there are only % chaplains of the
Catholic faith-the Army is, and the
Navy, 6.
AS shown by the Worlds Almanac
1913 edition. the church membership
, of Roman Catholics is 12,763,234, and
basing these figures ON the total
church membership OIL all uenOInlnd-
: tons represented by all the chaplains
which is 31,734,15 there is a great
shortage in the quota Of Catholic
chaplains-there being ten (1O) short
for the army and four for the navy.
In other words, the Catholic Church
membership. if it had its proper quota
in the Chaplain Corps, should rank all
other denominations and have a total
j of 1876 for the army and 10 for the
navy, instead of 16 and respectively
as at the present time.
This congress will be far-reachins
in its effect and of great benefit to
the chaplains themselves, as Well as
the service generally, and while
church and state are separate, all rec
ognizc the fact that the state needs
| ,a1ipion to ,,pholtl hor lpufhorit,, opd