The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-03-13

Knights of Columbus building in ST.
Paul?
This is good example of what may
be called the Guardians of Liberty"
attitude towards an individual on ac-
count of his religion. The Guardians
Of Liberty would debar Catholics
from every position, especially if it be
within the gift of Protestants, for no
other reason except that they are
Catholics. In the present instance the.
person who asks the question would
exclude a non-Catholic from any po-
sition controlled by Catholics on the
sole ground of his religion. This is
not the attitude taken by men of COM
mon sense, by true Americans, or by
good Catholics. They do not discrim-
mate against man on the sole ground
OF his religion. Other things being
equal as far as qualifications and fit
ness for a given position is concern
ed, it is natural that Catholics should
prefer a Catholic, just as it is natural
that Professionals should prefer one of
their own religion for position which
is within their gift provided he is 9TH
erwise qualified. This is the only reas-
enable attitude to take in regard to
this matter. The Knights of Column
bus do not claim to be a Catholic
society in the strict sense of the word,
but society of Catholics, and when
they seek man for position under
their control they naturally prefer
Catholic if he be fully qualified for
the Office. The first choice of the Di-
rectOrs of the Columbus Hall Associ-
alton of st. Paul for the position of
athletic director in their gymnasium
was Catholic; but they soon found
out that he was not as well qualified
for the position as they were led to
believe. They looked around for new
director but found that it was not an
easy matter to secure one owing to
the fact that it was midwinter and all
the competent directors had already
secured positions. They finally sue
Ceeded in finding one who was willing
to undertake the work, and knowing
that he was thoroughly qualified for
the position they hired him without
making any inquiry regarding his re-
ligion. He knows enough about his
business to understand that he was
not employed to teach religion in the
gymnasium or to discriminate against
applicants because of their religion
Furthermore, as a matter of fact, the
knights of Columbus gymnasium is
not intended for the knights only or
for Catholics only. 1t is public gym
nasium to which all are welcome who
fulfill the conditions required of appli-
cants, and the profession of any given
form of religion is not one of these
conditions.
1. Can a person who kills another
receive absoIution in the Catholic
Church without being in court of
justice first? Has a Catholic priest
to report to the court of justice in
case murderer goes to confession?
2. How about the soldiers in war
killing each other daily?
1. A person who has committed
murder can go to confession and re-
ceive dissolution the same as he can
for any other sin for which he is sin
Cerely sorry, provided he does all that
is required under the circumstances
to make reparation as far as possible
for the injury he has uniustly in
flicted. There is no obligation for
him to present himself in a court of
justice and make public confession of
his guilt; nor is there any obligation
for the priest to denounce him to the
authorities. In fact, a priest is bound
by the seal of confession to say moth
ing about the murder any more than
about any other sin. 2. Soldiers who
kill one another in war are not guilty
of murder. They are defending their
country in what they believe to be a
just war and, therefore, they do not
incur the guilt of murder when they
kill the soldiers of the opposing army.
Will you please give correct informa-
ton regarding the tragedy at Marshall,
Texas, which resulted in the death of
cx-priest Black? Is it true, as an anti
Catholic paper stated, that "Rome
drew first blood?"
Black, who claimed to be an eX-
priest, had delivered a lecture in
Marshall, Texas, in which he rehashed
the old calumnies against the Church
and reflected on the morals of Cath.
Ollie women in his reference to the
Sacrament of Confession. The next.
day several prominent Catholic men
of the town, among them Mr.. Rogers,
Mr.. Copeland, Mr., Ryan, Mr.. Tier,
and others, called on Black in his
hotel and asked him not to lecture
that evening. On his refusal to &C.
cede to their request they told him
that he had better not repeat his
reflections on their Catholic wives,
daughters and sisters. In the room
with Black mt the time were two of
his travelling companions, c. +. Hall
and Sadie Black, an adopted daughter.
During the discussion Mr.. Rogers be-
came irritated and in his excitement
grasped Black who, according to the
testimony of Hall, reached for his
gun. Before he could draw it, Cope
land came to the assistance Of Rogers
and Hall drew his gun and shot
Rogers who, as the evidence taken
before Justice Young showed, was un-
armed. During the melee Black was
shot dead and Copeland was seriously
wounded by three bullets which pene-