The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-11-04
And CATHOLICITY

~ " AZ u HI " AA W H. III
Catholics are fully aware that con-
science must never be sacrificed. No
obedience will be eXacted by the
Church from a Catholic, which is
rightfully due tho State. AS the con-
stitution manifests no repugnance to
the laws of God, the Pope will not
presume to overthrow the constitu
ton. Catholics are bound in con-
science to obey civil governments i'll
all things just to God and just to
man, and every constitutional enact
ment not contrary to the will of God.
The Catholic motto is no other than
the plain and dignified words Of
Christ, render to Caesar the things
that are Caesars and to God the
things that are Gods Loyalty both
spiritual and civil, is a Catholic yir-
tue. A Catholic, who remains true
to his faith and the moral code of the
Catholic Church, cannot prove faith
Nless to any civil legitimate duty, nor
become q traitor to the stars and
stripes. Obedience to Church author
ity, complete, distinct and independ-
ent Authority from the State and de-
pending on God alone, leaves entire
liberty in matters not connected with
religion. The Church allows free
reign to secular governments and
secular action. She does not inter-
In ponlInotinn M
sumo to dictate any form of govern
ment, nor scientific methods, nor
rules of art, providing Gods will is
not violated, nor the spiritual and
supernatural encroached upon.
Catholic Belief.
The belief of a Catholic as mem
Der of the Church is his belief as a
citizen 'of the Republic. The practical
Catholic will ever be found the best
friend of our common country and a
strenuous upholder of our constitution,
an expression OF the political wisdom
and experience OF bygone ages and
the sanction of human natural rights.
The American political creed spells
liberty, fraternity, equality and the
pursuit of happiness, rights, for
which the Church of Rome has bat.
tied her long lifetime. The discern
ing and unprecedented man Of thought
will not fail to recognize that the
Republic and the Catholic Church,
under the guidance Of Divine Provi'
ciroil0Is urnrly nj
! forming the various nationalities, in
habiting the land, into one hOmogene'
Gus people The American spirit
wants all men on her shores to accept
one political creed, and the Catho
| lie Church wishes all men to accept
one religious creed, not indeed en-
| ploying the least compulsion, but
gentle moral suasion.
No Genuine Patriotism Without Re
igon.
The Catholic citizen, faithful to the
teachings of the Church, must love
his country and promote its best in
| terests, conserving order against
anarchy, the rights of property against
socialism and lawful authority against
| fanatical revolutionists. His principle
will ever be, God first and country
second, the essence Of true patriotism
Patriotism and religion must go hand
in hand. Love Of country, purified by
love of God, makes the loyal patriot
and the strength of the. land How
noble a sentiment is patriotism, the
| love of that memorable spot on earth
that witnessed our birth, the affection
for the fields, valleys and hills, amid
which was spent the better part oil
! life. The souvenir of the Church oil
our baptism, our first Communion, oil
the sound of the parish bell arouses
! the sweetest and most heartful
memories. Patriotism is the love and
esteem of the old folks at home. The
exile in some far distant land
oftimes sitting sadly and lonely
peeps over the horizon in magma
ton to look at home and all it's en-
dearments. Patriotism creates the
orator and inspires the poet Christ
/ Himself demonstrated MS PATRIOTISM
in weeping over the misfortunes that
would befall Jerusalem. ST. Paul
the apostle, proclaims Il am Roman
citizen" Who would not love a coun
try like ours, grand in its origin
grand in it's constitution, grand in its
opportunities. All enjoy equal rights
and privileges in this fair land, the
home OF the brave and the free
where liberty, fraternity and equality
/ are not mere monumental inscrip
tons. The oppressed and down.
trodden find safe refuge on our
shores, where ample opportunities
meet all Gods creatures, no matter
what land has witnessed their birth.