Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-20
CATHOLICS PLEDGE
LOYALTY TO U. S.
Archbishops Of Country Ad-
dress Letter to President
Promising Aid of Church.
WANT LIBERTY TO TRIUMPH

The archbishops of the United States
Wilson pledging the loyalty of the
Catholic hierarchy. the clergy and peo-
pie of that faith in this country to the
President and the government. and ac-
cepting "wholeheartedly and unre-
servedly" the decree CT Congress pro
claiming this country to be in state
of war"
The letter, which was adopted by the
archbishops at their annual meeting in
the Catholic University yesterday. is
signed by all the archbishops who were
present. eight in number. the remain
ing six being unavoidably absent. 1t
was sent to the President by Cardinal
Gibbons. chairman of the meeting.
Text of the Letter.
The letter follows:
MIR. Notwithstanding firmly upon
our solid Catholic tradition and his
tory from the very foundation of this
nation. we reaffirm in this hour of
stress and trial our most sacred and
sincere loyalty and patriotism toward
our country. our government and our
flag
Moved to the very depths of our
hearts by the stirring appeal of the
President of the United States and by
the action of our national Congress. We
accept wholeheartedly and unreserv-
I eddy the decree of that legislative au-
thority proclaiming this country to be
in a state of war.
I'VE have prayed that we might be
spared the dire necessity of entering
the conflict. But now that war has been
summons to bear our part In it. with
fidelity, with courage and with the
spirit Of sacrifice. which as loyal citi-
zens we are bound to manifest for the
defense of the most sacred rights and
the welfare of the whole nation.
acknowledging gladly the gratitude
we have always felt for the protec-
ton of our spiritual liberty and the
freedom of our catholic institutions
under the flag. we pledge our devotion
and our strength in the maintenance
of our country's glorious leadership in
those possessions and principles which
have been Americas proudest boast.
Ready to Cooperate.
Inspired neither by hate nor fear.
but by the holy sentiments of truest
patriotic fervor and zeal. we stand
ready. we and all the flock committed
to our keeping. to cooperate in every
way possible with our President and
our national government, to the end
that the great and holy cause of lib
erty may triumph and that our beloved
country may emerge from this hour of
test stronger and nobler than ever.
Our people now. as ever, will rise
as one man to serve the nation. Our
priests and consecrated women will
once again, as in every former trial
of our country, win by their bravery.
their heroism and their service new
admiration and approval
I'VE are all true Americans, ready as
our age, our ability and our condition
permit. to do whatever is in us to do
for the preservation, the progress and
the triumph of our beloved country.
May God direct and guide our Presi-
dent and our government. that out Of
this trying crisis in our national life
may at length come a closer union
among all the citizens Of America and
may crown the sacrifices which war
inevitably entails.
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS.
Archbishop of Baltimore, chairman.
WILLIAM CARDINAL O'CONNELL,
JOHN IRELAND. ''
Archbishop of st. Paul.
JOHN ]. GLENNON.
Archbishop Of St. Louis.
SEBASTIAN G. MESSMER,
Archbishop Of Milwaukee.
'.HENRY MOELLER,
Archbishop of Cincinnati
EDWARD ]. HANNA,
Archbishop of San Francisco.
GEORGE w. HUNDELEIN,
Archbishop of Chicago"