Evening journal., 1922-07-19
CATHOLICS SCORE
NEWEST Council
Pastor Denounces as Politi-
cal Propaganda to Scare
Churchmen
DEFENDS RIGHTS
OF HIS PEOPLE

WASHINGTON, July 19.-Simul-
taneous with the publication OF the
names OF the officers OF the new in
ter-fraternal Protestant association.
as the National Patriotic Council,
prominent Catholics denounced the
organization as, another misguided
and bigoted attack upon their r.
ligion.
Mgr. c. +. Thomas, pastor Of ST.
Patrick's Church, in a statement
scored the movement as political
propaganda 10 get non-Catholics
scared into voting along certain
lines" He derided the idea that
Catholics had Interior political mo-
tives.
I'VE have no political activities"
declared Mgr Thomas. I'VE owe no
political allegiance to any foreign
power. The Holy Father. the head
of our church, would never dictate TO
us for political purposes. We Cath
ollcs are as pronounced Americans as
anybody else in the country. and all
we want Is our political rights.
Catholics do not hold the major
ity Of public Offices. We have far
less offices than we ought 10 have.
considering our numbers. Catholics
do not seek political Offices as Cath
ollcs. but as American citizens. As
regards Catholics sending their chill
dren 10 Catholic schools. we have as
clear a right as we could possibly
have TO establish and maintain our
own schools. our schools are the
equal OF any schools IN the country.
IF Catholic parents want TO send
their children "a. Catholic schools.
they have the undoubted privilege.
just as others have the right TO send
their children 20 the public schools.
No law can compel Catholics to send
their children 20 public schools II
they do not want 20. The Catholic
church In this country Is not a polit-
ical organization. II IS a religious
organization and we seek 20 propa-
gate II as such"
Heads OF the Catholic order OF
Knights OF Columbus withheld COM
ment, but called attention 20 an ad-
vance copy OF an article 20 appear
in the next issue Of the official paper. !
Columbia. This says IN part:
Rome and the church whose
supreme pontiff resides there have
an amazing habit OF surviving at !
tanks made by such narrow visioned |
gentlemen. The statement that the |
Pope aims for political control Of the |
United States is becoming a stock /
joke. Something new must be in
vented by the gentlemen who seek /
TO foment religious warfare in Amer
ica. However, so long as prejudice (
pays IN either publicity or plasters |
there will be prejudice mongers.
"The Knights OF Columbus, either
directly or indirectly. have never at
tackled, nor viii ever attack the !
creed OF any fellow-citize This |
order believes IN, religious freedom
and practical patriotism, and its rec
ord is a manifestation Of that be-
lief"
In the meantime plans for perfect
ing the new inter-fraternal body are
under way. The officers who will
guide It during the formative stage
are:
George Fleming Moore past grand
OF the Supreme Council
OF the Scottish Rite, Southern juris-
diction of Washington, president;
william J. Mahoney. Atlanta vice
president; William Parker, Branson,
Mo, editor OF The Menace, second
vice. president; Thomas Z. Perkins,
secretary Of the order
Of Truemen. third vlce-president;
William McDougall, vice-president1
order of Truemen. all of Washing
ton, secretary, and James $. Vance,
general manager The Fellowship
Formum. Washington, treasurer.
II IS understood William Parker.
editor OF The Menace will send
broadcast the literature OF the new
Headquarters will be
opened in the American National
Bank building next week, It is ex-
pected
Among the orders having a part
N formation OF the council are the
order of Truemen, numerous
branches of the Masonic order, the
oyal Orange Institute. better known
As "Orangemen"; Knights OF Malta,
he Junior order OF United Ameri-
an Mechanics and Sons and Daugh-
ers of Liberty.