The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-11-04
The Church and the
American Republic
Continued from Page u

fully commanded the army in the civil
war: Sherman, Shields, terminal
ing with the famous General Sheridan.
Let them remember the enormous
multitude of Catholic soldiers who
swelled the ranks of the army under
the command of General Grant.
These facts constitute indisputable
proofs that there is no need of forfeit
ture of patriotism in becoming and re-
manning Catholic and that Catholicity
is not incompatible with the republi-
can form of government George
Washington, the founder of the Re-
public, recognized, moreover, Catholic
worth in famous speech, and sim
cerely hoped that the coming genera
lions would not forget the services
rendered by Catholics to the country
PapaI Obedience Not In Conflict With
State Obedience.
Catholics render submission, the adj
versaries proclaim, to foreign po-
tentate and the Church teaches ODE
dience not to God and conscience, but
only to ecclesiastical authority. Cath
olics pay obedience in spiritual mat
tiers to a wise, unselfish and God COM
missioned ruler, but not in civil mat
tiers, as long as there is no violation
of the divine or natural law. Catho-
lies are fully aware that conscience
must never be sacrificed. No obedience
will be eXacted by the Church from
Catholic, which is rightfully due the
state. AS the constitution manifests
no repugnance to the laws of Cod the
Pope will not presume to overthrow
the constitution. Catholics are bound
in conscience to obey civil govern
ments in all things just to God and
just to man, and every constitutional
enactment 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
virtue. A Catholic, who remains true
to his faith and the moral code of the
Catholic Church, cannot prove faith
less to any civil legitimate duty, nor
become Il traitor to the stars and
stripes. Obedience to Church Au-
thority, a complete. distinct and in
dependent authority from the state
and depending on God alone, leaves
entire liberty in matters not connected
with religion. The church allows free
reign to secular governments and sec
ular action. She does not interfere
in worldly occupation, nor presume to
dictate any form Of government. nor
scientific methods, nor rules of art,
providing Gods will is not violated.
nor the spiritual and supernatural en-.
croached upon.
The belief of a Catholic as member
of the Church is his belief as citizen
of the republic. The practical Catho-
lie will ever be found the best friend
OF our common country and a strenu-
GUS 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 battled
her long lifetime. The discerning and
unprecedented man of thought will not
fail to recognize that the republic and
the Catholic Church. under the guild
ance of Divine Providence, perform a
similar work of forming the various
nationalities, inhabiting the land, into
one homogeneous people. The Ameri-
can spirit wants all men on her shores
to accept one political creed, and the
Catholic Church wishes all men to
accept one religious creed, not indeed
employing the least compulsion, but
gently moral suasion.
The pages of history attest the fact
that republics since the Christian era
were mainly founded in the ages of
faith. Witness the ancient republics
of Italy. The Swiss republic counts
among it's heroes and martyrs of po-
litical freedom, two faithful sons of
the Catholic Church. The Republics
of South America must be regarded at
least as the growth of the Catholic
population. Evidences, so numerous.
amply prove that the lawful love of
national liberty and the desire for
popular institutions meet no opposi-
ton within the bosom of the Catholic
Church. ...
No Genuine Patriotism Without Re-
iieion.
The Catholic citizen faithful to the
teachings OF the Church, must love his
country and promote its best interests,
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. Patri-
otism and religion must go
hand in hand. Love of country, puri-
fed 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 snot IN