The Irish standard., 1918-02-09
Summary Of Church
Record Of 1917

II nVVV0V VI uVu
The World War Dominates All Other
Actvities-The Pope's Peace Pro.
posals-A Year of Great Conventions
War Welfare Work Makes Ire
mendous Strdes-Losses and Ap-
pointmen.s in the Hierarchy.
The outstanding event of the year
1911 i'll the Catholic world was the
suggestion by Pope Benedict XIV of a
basis for the discussion of peace
among the warning nations. His peace
proffer, dated August l, was based on
the views expressed by statesmen of
prominence in the various belligerent
countries and included the notions of
disarmament and a league to enforce
peace. There was tendency noted in
the Allied countries to denounce the
Pope's proposal as pro-German, but in
general more just counsels came to
prevail.
Another event connected with the
world conflict which will have impor-
tant consequences for the church is
the granting of freedom of worship in
Russia as result of the revolution
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics,
constrained to conform to Russian
orthodoxy, are coming back to their
| Catholic allegiance and the future out
look for the church in Russia prom
ises well. In fact, hopes of the ulti-
mate reunion of East and West have
| been revived.
The text of the new code of Canon
Law, the result Of many years of labor
by eminent canonists, was published
in July. 1t will go into effect as
whole next Pentecost.
Nearly 100000 Catholics in the Unit
ed States.
The Catholic Directory, published
early in the year, gave the number of
Catholics in the United States, ex-
| elusive of the island possessions, as
17,O22S79, an increase of 45S,77O over
| the previous year. The numerical i'm
portance of the Catholic element in
the country was recognized by the
War Department when it assigned 40
per cent of the new army chaplains
to the Catholic clergy; this percentage
representing the proportion of Catho-
lies in the United States to the whole
body of church-goers. The Catholic
chaplains in the national army were
to number JIG and 4S additional chap
laincies in the regular army were filled
by Catholic priests.
The Archbishops of the country on
April 10 united in a letter of loyalty
to the national government, to which
President Wilson replied, thanking the
authors for their expression of devo-
ton to our common country.
May 2 the National Board of Ancient
Order of Hibernians announced it's
purpose to raise fund of 100000 for
the families Of enlisted men from the
society.
Early in June occurred the Diamond
Jubilee of the University of Notre
Dame, founded by Father Sorin in
northern Indiana when much of that
| region was still wilderness. Among
the features of the celebration was
the comforting of the Laetare Medal,
given annually by the university to a
distinguished Catholic layman, upon
Rear Admiral Benson, ranking officer
Of the United States navy.
Catholic War Work.
In July the War department for
mally recognized the Knights of Co.
lumbus as the representative Of the
Catholic people Of the country in the
matter Of war camp work, and at the
annual convention of the society a
few weeks later the raising of $4,000
900 fund for camp work purposes was
announced.
On August II and IL there was or
ganized in Washington the National
Catholic War Council to aid Catholic
chaplains in the national service and
undertake the direction of other nee
essary war work. Reports from both
army and navy showed remarkable
number of volunteers among Catho-
lies. The Importance of the work of
Catholic chaplains led to the appoint
ment of Bishop Hayes, Auxiliary-G en-
eral, with supervision over the Catho-
lie chaplains in the United States
service.
Despite the splendid service which
the church has rendered, however, the
spirit of bigotry, which for time
promised to become extinct, seems
about to be revived. There are indi-
cations that campaign against Catho.
lies is again imminent. For the pres
ent, the attacks are being directed
chiefly against the Holy Father.
The condition of the Catholic church
In Mexico has become more deplor.
able during the year. Catholic priests
have been exiled from the country and
the Catholic people are practically
without spiritual leaders. Churches
have been desecrated and confiscated.
The Knights of Columbus conven.
ton was followed Immediately by the
Catholic War Congress held in Wash
1ngton, at which representatives of