The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-09-26

Il 81 "hOO 0hN4A SAuO40auC 10 III 1C-
gard to the teaching of sex by
giene in the public schools.
This is, indeed a formidable
| indictment. 1t is evident that the
Catholic Union of Illinois is vi
tally interested in problems which
are now the subject of much pub
lie discussion problems in which
every true citizen should show in
terest. They affect the civic well
fare more than do the political af-
filiations Of the candidate for pub
lie office who appeals to the voters
for support. Does the Catholic
Union Of Illinois violate any con-
stitutional right in asking such
candidates where they stand on
these questions? Can it's action be
construed as an attempt to bind
the next legislature of Illinois "to
support only these opinions adj
vanced by the Roman Catholic
church," The Catholic Church,
as such, has made no official pro-
nouncement in regard to these
matters. Catholics in general, as
we'll as the members of the Catho-
lie Union Of Illinois, are entitled to
have their own views on these
matters and to express them pub
licly if they see fit to do so; nor
can their action be regarded as
taking part in ''politics in the
sense in which "The Masonic
Sentinel uses the term.
But the interesting part of the
Sentinel's article is that in which
it points out to Masons how they
can oppose this entrance Of the
Catholic Church into politics. 1t
says: "The customs and laws of
our institution forbid Freemason-
ry taking any part in politics; we
cannot discuss these questions in
our lodges. But, as individuals,
we can and should see that, if in
our power to prevent, the legis-
lature of this state (Illinois) does
not pass into the control Of per-
sons sworn to obey the mandates
Of any sect or creed. 1t is the
duty OF MasOns to preserve those
liberties which have been secured
at so great sacrifices Of human life
and after so much mental and
physical suffering. Every at
tempt to unite church and state is
contrary to the teaching Of Free
masonry and should be opposed.
Because Freemasonry cannot
as society engage in conflict with
the Catholic Union Of Illinois, The
Masonic Sentinel recommends to
it's readers that they seek informa-
ton through the Guardians of
Liberty and other patriotic So
cieties that have been organized
to combat just such situations as
have been forced upon us by the
action Of the Catholic Union of
Illinois in seeking pledges from
candidates for public Office
This is very interesting. Since
when have Catholics "sworn to
obey the mandates Of the
Church? Does the Sentinel still
believe in the K. of G.. "oath, /" the
Jesuit oath" ETC.? Furthermore,
we were not aware of the fact
that the Masons regarded the So
called Guardians of Liberty as
substitutes to fight their battles
against the Catholic Church. The
Guardians of Liberty will, no
doubt, be very much pleased to
learn that the Masons are willing
to use them as catspaws, while
publicly repudiating all sympathy
with their purpose and all affilia-
ton with them.
The Masonic Observer" of
Minneapolis, evidently approves
the idea of using the Guardians
of Liberty and other "patriotic :"
societies to fight the bugaboo of
papal domination in the United
States. Its attitude toward Cath
olics is not unknown to us. Our
readers will remember that, less
than year ago, this same "Ma-
sonic Observer" published a state
ment made by "Brother" Irving
P. Jones, Secretary of Minnesota
Lodge, No. 224, and in charge of
the Bertillon room at police head
quarters in that city, which re-
fected on the Catholics Of Mime
apolis-a statement which little
investigation would have shown
to be utterly false, as was very
clearly evidenced when Mr.. Jones,
on being challenged by represen-
tative of The Catholic Bulletin for
proof of his assertion, retracted it
and published the retraction in the
Masonic Observer" on December
II, 1913. This would indicate
that the Masonic Observer" is
not prescriptions about publish
ing articles rejecting on Catholic
citizenship and thus places itself