The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-09-24
Scope OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY
Continued from Page H.

ice of country whether in time OF war
or peace. We are exceptionally quail
fed to bring to conferences, to leglsia-
tive halls, to administrative work,
PRINCIPLES of Christian charity, prln'
ciples not only sound in theory but
tested in practice for centuries. There
is surely a great need of crystallzlnS
public Catholic opinion on charity
Those familiar with state controlled
charities realize their limitations ana
defects. Even those who must pay
taxes seem to regard the public funds
of charity as inexhaustible. The state
has little power to deal with motives,
and it is beyond it's province to deVel-
Cd a public conscientious judgment
that is formed on supernatural mo-
tives. There is nothing stronger in
mans life than his motives, and there
will ever consequently be the practical
difficulty of the state controlling the
causes of poverty, crime and human
weakness when it is powerless to con-
troll the motives of men. The strong
est motives of the natural order are
weak in comparison with those of the
supernatural. The state can be as
sured of our unfailing good will and
of our earnest desire to cooperate. We
acknowledge the state as supreme in
whatever belongs to the we'll being OF
the mortal life of man. We are ever
anxious to uphold the things that per-
tain to the political and social order
as subject to the judgment of the state.
The state in caring for it's poor and
dependent classes does not, of course,
exclude any class because of religion.
We as Catholics have the same claim
for our poor and dependent classes as
any other citizens of city, state or ma
ton.
"Our good will and cooperation and
willingness for coordination must new
er be interpreted as delegating to any
other private charity, or even the pub
lie charity of the state, the care and
direction of the spiritual interests of
those for whom we are responsible be-
fore God.
Our Duty to Charity Today.
Are we preaching sufficiently that
superfiuous possessions, at least in
part, should be put at the disposal OF
those who need them. We are not
suggesting that this be brought about
by legislation in this age when there
is an insane desire for legislation, but
rather we must try to have individuals
embrace Christian principles, we must
give them an opportunity to be emo.
bled by Christian traditions so that by
their voluntary acts they will form a
social conscience and assume a social
responsibility. Are we preaching that
the rich should invest a portion of
their possessions for the welfare of the
poor and needy? Are we timid in tell
ing our Catholic people that no last
will and testament should be drawn
UP and signed without remembering
the interests of charity? In the ages
of faith, Bishops fearlessly condemned
the actions of kings, princes and those
of the wealthy classes who deferred
until their death bed the distribution
Of their possessions among the poor
Many of our Catholics are failing in
this duty even at the supreme moment
of death. Let us remind them of it
but, better, let us urge them how to be
their own almoners. We Catholics can
have large share in forming the pub
lie opinion that there is a duty in life
and at death of giving to the poor and
to the needy sick.
"Our Catholic press can supplement
the work of the pulpit by reporting as
complete list as possible of requests
and gifts to charity. Would not pop
ular pamphlets familiarize the faith
full with the salient facts of the in
spring history of charity in the Cath
Ole church? Cannot the wisdom Of
this conference prepare list of works
of charity which should be undertak
en-? Perhaps the starting point might
be the formation of Diocesan Commit
tees which with due approya Wolle
suggest the needs of locality. From
the diocesan viewpoint We can grow
until we get the vision of nationa