The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-07-18
CAT OLIG WOMENs'
LEAGUE Of ITALY

Catnol1c Women'S League of Italy
published a letter addressed to al
the branches Of the league, in which
the members were exhorted to closer
union with headquarters and strict
maintenance of the autonomy of each
local division according to the wishes
of the Holy Father, writes G. Rybrook
Ord. Praem, in Central Blatt and So
cial Justice. The letter was occasion
ed by the recent. attempts made
in some cities to organize female
trade unions outside of the G. w
L. The letter reminds the Cath
Ollie women of Italy that, according
to the express will of the Pope, the
direction and organization of the Cath
olic women's movement belongs exclu
sively to the C. w. L.
In May, 1908, on the occasion of the
Qualification of Joan of Arc, the c.
w. L. was founded. In April of the
same year a national women's con
gress was held in Rome, which
showed itself so anti Christian, even
so atheistic, that the need of a G. w
l.. became more than ever apparent
A Roman princess, Donna Christina
asked an audience with Plus x in or
der to lay the matter before him and
to obtain his advice. At first the Holy
Father seemed little favorable to the
project. Kinder, kGche, kirche, chill
dren, home and church, according to
the Pope's opinion, was the threefold
kingdom of woman, outside of which
she should not move But should not
women organize in order to protect
the rights of their children, to pro.
mote the welfare of their homes, to
further the cause of religion? The
kindly Plus was soon persuaded OF
the utility or rather necessity of found
ing a Catholic Women's League
Shortly afterwards the statutes were
made and approved by the highest
ecclesiastical authority.
The object of the C. w. l.. is the
religious, moral and social elevation
of woman, according to the principles
of the Gospel. The president is ap.
pointed by the Pope, and the society
stands directly under the supervision
of the Holy See. AS members are ad.
mitted all really Catholic women OF
every social class and condition pro,
vided they do not belong to a society
which upholds contrary principles
The annual contribution is one Ira
GO cents).
: No good work in the religious, char.
liable and social field is excluded from
the activity of the C. w. l.. The work
of the different divisions depends, of
course, on local circumstances, condi-
tons and necessities. Political action
is rigidly excluded as contrary to the
providential mission of woman.
The central direction or chief off
GERS regulate the organization and
general activity Of the league. 1t ap.
points propagandists and promotes
the organization of new locals. When
these are once erected the RESPONSE.
bility of the chief direction ceases,
which does not concern itself about
the work of the local division, except
so far as to assure the observation of
the statutes and the attainment of
the general object of the league. Each
branch enjoys absolute freedom of in
itiative and activity according to local
needs as long as the general statutes
are observed.
The badge worn by the members
consists of gilt little cross surround
ed by the inscription FORTS in fide''
(strong in faith; on the rear side is
the name of the society: League of
the Catholic Women of Italy. At pres
ent the league has about $4,000 mem
bers, divided over $50 branches.
Religious instruction in Italy leaves
much to be desired and, no doubt, one
of the most commendable works of
the league is catechetical instruction.
Hundreds of thousands of small cate
chisms have been spread among the
people by the league. Also catechists
are Systematically trained to assist
the clergy in giving religious instruc-
ton. These catechists are to make an
examination before the church author
tiles before they are permitted to ex-
ercise their Office.
Also instruction is impaired in do
nestle affairs and female manual
work. Some Of the publications of the
league on these matters are SO practi-
cal that they have been adopted by
the anti-clerical government for
use in schools; an evident proof of
their more than ordinary value.
The c. w. l.. has also fought cour-
ageously for the admission of relig-
ious instruction in the common
schools. According to Italian law no
religious instruction is allowed in the
schools unless a certain number of
fathers of families expressly request
the municipal council to this effect.
The c. w. L. has inaugurated move
ment claiming that also in this matter
the mothers should have vote. Dc
not the children belong to the mother
as well as to the father? Has not the
mother in early childhood more care
and responsibility for the children
than the father? In this question at
least the mother can claim equal
rights with the father.
In every way the C. w. L. tries to
do religious and charitable work in
order to promote the interests of the
family and consequently of church and
state; but never outside the field as.
signed to woman by her nature, voca,
finu ond ohoro otor GA ot;o~ - -.