The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31
PASTORAL LETTER

Pastors, therefore, should not fail to
form a bulwark around their flocks
in the shape of solid Catholic socie-
ties. The heads of families would do
we'll to belong to some approved
Catholic death-rate paying associa-
ton, so that after their deaths their
offspring and dependents may not be
subjected to the cold philanthropy of
the world, too often a danger to their
! faith and morals. The Church eX-
horts her children to band together in
honorable, worthy and duly sane
toned associations for the further
ance Of our Holy Faith, brotherly love,
mutual edification and generous be-
nevolence. Societies should be ever
ready to defend the Faith, assist in
intoxicating virtue and in checking i'm
morality Loyalty to Catholic princi-
pies and harmonious action with the
Church should ever constitute their
motto. Habits of sobriety, thrift,
safeguard against condemned and
suspicious organizations, the securing
of the faithful practice of religious du-
ties and strict vigilance against false
teachings, such should be the direct
object of their existence. The worth
of societies will also be greatly
esteemed and appreciated, should
| they endeavor to relieve the poor,
comfort the suffering and use their
influence to procure for Catholics the
political and social rights, Protestant
ignorance and bigotry connive to de-
prive them of occasionally. No Cath
olic society should remain silent in
face of lies and calumnies against
Mother Church, enunciated either by
press, pulpit or platform. The enemy
should not be given free field and
courage to propagate his nefarious
work. Shame on the Catholic society
which would be afraid to use it's
power for good A Catholic society
should not hesitate to antagonize
evil-doers, nor fail to assert Catholic
principles, under the preteXt of toll
GRAFTON and thus encourage our enc
mics to continue in their evil ways.
Catholics should not subscribe for,
nor advertise i'll, newspapers, opposed
to Catholic life and intent on spread
ing falsehoods against our common
Mother. Societies should be formed
under the auspices and patronage of
the Bishops. The Church and her au-
thOrities will only acknowledge as
truly Catholic these societies which
totally, in their corporate action as
we'll as in the conduct of the individ-
foi4
and Catholic life
Divine Revelation, sacred Tradi-
ton, the wisdom of the geniuses of
the ages, the intelligence of the saints
and the flower of society, and the ex-
perience of nearly twenty centuries,
our one, holy, Catholic and apostolic
Church possesses for the founding,
the direction and the guidance of So
cieties. The success and influence of
societies depend on their strict fidelity
to the Infallible Church. No society,
with the honorable name of Catholic
ish and endure without the Church
Some societies are formed outside
of the jurisdiction of the Church;
others are composed of Catholics
only, with no decidedly Catholic OBJ
ject. Any society, though composed
of Catholics, prescribing absolute Sc
crecy and blind obedience, would not
be allowed on Catholic principles
The fact that society consists ex-
clusively of Catholic members does
not make that society Catholic. A
spirit, loyal to the Church and prac-
tically intent to foster Catholic faith
and morals, must pervade each mem
Der and the entire society, though es-
tablished for benevolent purposes
There can be no doubt that the Cath
olic spirit is lacking, where members
are admitted or retained, who openly
neglect their religious duties, give
scandal by drunkenness, dishonesty,
exhibit an adverse spirit to the paro-
chial schools, or send their children
to Protestant institutions of learning.
The public criticism or condemnation
of laws, enacted by ecclesiastical su-
periors, or the direct violation of the
ecclesiastical rules and regulations of
the Church, or the Statutes of the
Diocese, would plainly prove the un-
religious and un-Catholic character of
a society. Every society worthy of
the glorious name of Catholic, should
adopt the following essential points
in its constitutions The statutes and
laws thereof, or any important change
thereafter, must be approved by &C.
clesiastical authority. The religious
affairs of the society must be abso-
lutely subjected to the Bishop of the
Diocese, who may, for reasons, dis
band a society under his jurisdiction.
The Church will ever gladly bestow
her blessings upon the members and
workings of a society, which will re-
main staunch to her direction and her
teaching. Only practical Catholics
can be admitted as members. Due
cognizance should be taken of the
fact that not the number of members,
but their quality, their good name
and personal virtue confer honor,
strength and Importance on the soci-
ETY.. The officers should be chosen
from the best, most conservative,
most honorable and most Catholic
members. Members, who continue to
give scandal, after sufficient admoni-
ton, must be expelled without mercy.
The society must insist on the faith