The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-05-01
IN THE Y. M: G. A.

In recent issue of The
Queens Work Of St. Louis, Fa-
Their Garesche, the editor, stated
that the data gathered by him
regarding the membership of the
Y. M. G. A. showed that there
were 100000 Catholics in the As
ISOLATION, Or more than twenty
per cent of the total membership.
A discussion now going on in the
columns of America" about
Catholics and the Y. M. G. A.
throws no light on this phase Of
the question.
We cannot close our eyes to the
fact that a considerable number
of Catholics affiliate with the Y.
M. G. A. for the sole purpose Of
benefiting. by the educational and
athletic facilities which it affords.
II this be regarded as constituting
membership in the association, it
is not unlikely that the figures
given by Father Garesch6 are sub
stantiaAy correct. In many local
tiles the T.. NJ. G.. A. alone fur
mshes these facilities and CathO-
lies who are unwilling to patron
ize the Association, must of neces-
sity forego these opportunities for
intellectual and physical develop.
ment. In many of the larger cities
and towns, Catholic organizations
are making an effort to provide
reading rooms, gymnasiums and
social centers for Catholics and
wherever this is done Catholics
should not be slow to show their
appreciation by joining these or
CARNATIONS whenever it is posi-
BILE, or at least by, patronizing
them. Until similar institutions
are available in every important
center, it will ,be impossible to
keep Catholics away from the
Y. M. G. A., even though they
know that the Association is es-
sentially Protestant. Every intel
ligent Catholic is aware that the
constitution of the Y. M. G. A.
debars Catholics, Jews and Uni
tarians from a voice in the man.
agement, from membership on the
board of directors. They know
that none but members of evan
gelical churche$ enjoy the full
rights and privileges of the Asso-
citation, and while they do not go
to the Y. M. c. A. for religious
instruction or do not participate
in it's religious work, they realize
that the atmosphere is non-Catho-
lie and, as such, unfavorable for
the growth and development of
the Catholic ideals which are so
essential in this age of Indifference
and irreligion.
With a view of obtaining first
hand information in regard to the
membership of the Y. M. C. A.,
we consulted the General Secre-
tary Of the Association in this city
who assures us that no record is
made of the religious affiliation of
any one applying for membership
unless the applicant voluntarily
gives the information. He de-
clares that he has no means of
knowing how many Catholics
patronize the educational and ath-
letic features Of the local Y. M. G.
A. because no records are kept
which would throw light upon the
Church which the members attend
According to him, it is the same
in all the local branches.
1t would seem, therefore, that
the Y. M. c. A. does not obtrude
its religious features nowadays as
much as it formerly did. 1t is
policy, no doubt, to keep religion
in the background when there is
question Of extending its Influence
or gathering in funds for its sup
port. Many prominent members
of the Y. M. C. A. believe it is a
mistake to insist upon it's Evan
gelical Professionalism to the ex-
tent of debarring Catholics and
others from a voice in the manage
ment. We know Of at least one
local branch of the Association
which has dropped this provision
from its constitution.
We would be glad if any of our
readers could throw light on the
question of Catholic membership
in the Y. NJ. c.. A. 1t is a point
upon which it is difficult to obtain
reliable information because of
the fact that some branches of
the organization, at least, do not
keep record of the religion of its
patrons.