The Irish standard., 1914-01-31
and timely warnings such as are given
in the following paragraph taken from
piohon Oorbo<%so Do,%orio1 1o&tor

and timely warnings such as are given
in the following paragraph taken from
Bishop Corbett's PASTORAL letter.
"Freemasonry is one of the societies
condemned by the Church. A Catho.
lie, therefore, forgetting himself SO far
as to become q member of the Free.
masons, incurs accommodation from
participation in the benefits of the
Church. Odd Fellows, knights of
Pythias, and Sons of Temperance are
forbidden societies. Lady organiza-
lions, affiliated to the above named
societies, are under the same ban.
Catholics who refuse to withdraw
from these societies, cannot receive
absolution, even at the hour of death,
nor a Christian burial. The case of
Catholics, who cannot relinquish men,
bership in forbidden societies without
great detriment, must be referred to
His Excellency, the Apostolic Dele
gate, or His Grace, the Archbishop Of
the Province. A mere passive, or NOM
inal membership may then be allowed,
under conditions laid down by the
Holy See, namely; first, that such
members had actually Joined the So
ciety in good faith, not knowing that
it was wrong; second, that the reten-
ton of membership in the forbidden
society would not become source Of
scandal to others, or at least that an
adequate statement be made to the ef-
feet that membership is retained sole
ly for the purpose of attaining the
benefits to which the member is en-
titled in equity and that such member
has no intention of participating in
the activity of the society by attend
ing it's regular meetings; third, that
the absolute withdrawal from men,
bership would be a real hardship to
the parties concerned; finally, that
there be no danger of the parties thus
benefited being drawn away from
their faith, or of being forced to accept
nom Catholic burial service. Catholics
in general are forbidden to join any
society, which by its constitution re-
auires absolute secrecy regarding the
motives and acts under the authority
of such society; second, if the consti-
tuition of the society demands from Its
members blind and unconditional
obedience to those, who represent the
authority in the society: third, If the
societies organize for the purpose OF
making open or secret opposition to
Gods Church, or against lawful civil
authority; fourth, If the society has
it's own protestant minister, its own
ritual and it's own ceremonial. All
secret societies are forbidden, whose
object and character are essentially
subversive of good order and religious
principle and which are dangerous to
the Church and State.
1.-THE Church in her wisdom cries out
against secret organizations, which OF
their very nature are hostile to true
union because of their secret work
fngs. Secret organizations not only
initiate against the Church, because
of her staunch conservatism in the
right, but also against the State, to
whose spirit they are directly opposed
because of their absolute secrecy and
absolute blind obedience. Their oaths
are destructive of personal liberty by
enslaving individuals, in having them
give blind obedience to unknown prin
ciples and leaders. No obedience car
be lawful before God, which pretends
to so control the individual as to re
fuse him the right to submit his will tt
the legitimate authority of the Churcf
or State. What plots, consplracles
and evil they may contrive in secret
both Injurious to the Church ant
State. Secret societies, whose SOIL
darity and mutual sympathy through
out the world are not doubted, persis
in their nefarious, though futile efforts
to destroy Catholicity. Through thei
wicked Vaccinations, odious laws hav'
been framed to enslave the Church
Their tenets ruin authority and orde
and foment crime and anarchy. Sham'
on the Catholic, who. trampling unde
foot his sacred baptismal vows ant
the teaching of Holy Faith, woul'
dare enter those secret lodges AM
as a traitor associate himself to tn
enemies of Gods Church. No ma
terial preferment, not even ignoranc
can justify such treachery."
Catholic societies would do nue.
good for themselves and their men
bers IL the PASTORAL letter of His Grac
were made the subject Of an ever
ing's discussion and it's signiacanc
impressed upon the minds Of a
J Catholic laymen. -..