p. 586 | CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Sep 11, 1900

CATHOLIC FEDERATION.

ALL summer Bishop McFaul, of Trenton, N. J., has been urging the federation of all “societies of Catholic laymen in the United States.” He claims that Catholics are discriminated against politically, and are denied their rights as citizens. And the object in forming this federation that he urges is that by means of it Catholics can bring to bear at the necessary points and the opportune times, the pressure required to secure to Catholics the coveted political recognition.

What they will take when they get the power at which they aim in this federation, can be in a measure estimated by the items that he uses as illustrations of how Catholics are now deprived of their rights. One is that “several Catholic members were not appointed on the commissions to our new possessions.” Another is that public money is no longer paid by the United States government to the Catholic Church in support of her Indian schools. Another is that there are too few Catholic priests appointed to chaplaincies in the army and navy of the nation.

At a glance it will be seen that all these items signify the direct recognition of the Catholic power, and of Catholics, as such, by the national government. And this is put beyond all question by the words of Bishop McFaul, as reported in the New York Sun, August 17. In an address to the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, he urged “the necessity of federation among Catholic organizations of the country, in order that their influence may be brought to bear upon local boards, the State legislatures, and the NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.” And with these points merely as items of illustration of what they, through federation, propose to take, what of governmental recognition and support may they be expected not to take when they really get their federation so organized that they can effectually use it?

With respect to the commissions appointed to Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, Bishop McFaul actually has the assurance, in the North American Review of this month of September, to insult every non-Catholic in the nation with the statement: “I do not hesitate to affirm that for a non-Catholic, even with the best disposition, it would be morally impossible to render an impartial report, or to make just recommendations.” When that is his measure of things now, what may it be expected to be when he shall be possessed of the power at which he is aiming in the federation which he is urging? “If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”

When Bishop McFaul began his crusade, some of the strongest Catholic papers decidedly opposed it, as tending directly to create sectarian strife politically. This is plain enough; for when the Catholics thus organize for the purpose of making their power felt in and upon the government, Protestants may be expected to do the same in sheer self-defense and for self-protection.

However, that opposition on the part of the Catholic papers was soon silenced by the hearty espousal of the bishop’s cause by Apostolic Delegate Martinelli, Cardinal Gibbons, and Archbishops Ryan, of Philadelphia, and Elder, of Cincinnati. In the New York Sun of July 30, 1900, Martinelli’s letter is printed as follows:—

In a letter to John A. Kuster, of Columbus, Ohio, one of the most earnest advocates of the scheme, Mgr. Martinelli says:—

“Believing, as I naturally and sincerely do, that Catholic interests are well worth protecting and promoting for the welfare both of religion and of the civil society, and knowing the value of united effort for the protection of any interest, I do not fail to appreciate the importance and desirability of such a movement as you tell me has been inaugurated. If, however, it is absolutely necessary that any and every Catholic society, however humble, in order to have the approval and encouragement of the church, should maintain relations of filial respect, submission, and obedience to the legitimate ecclesiastical authority, for a great confederation of Catholic societies such relations become infinitely more important and necessary. I hope, therefore, that as the movement progresses, and the Catholic societies grow strong in union, they will ever remember that before numbers and before union the great source of Catholic strength is an ecclesiastical authority.”

In the same place the Sun continues the subject as follows:—

Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, Archbishop Elder, of Cincinnati, and many other members of the Catholic hierarchy, have warmly indorsed the project.

It has been decided to keep up the agitation for a Catholic federation for some time yet, and then hold a national congress to perfect a permanent organization. This congress may be held in this city. Catholic societies with a membership of six hundred thousand have already announced their intention to enter the federation. The objects of the federation have been officially announced as follows:—

“To work for the general welfare of Catholic interests apart from the special object of each society, leaving each society with its own constitution, language, government, and officers, but establishing a central board for the purpose of better carrying out the principles advocated,—to vindicate the rights of Catholic citizens; to support the Catholic press, and diffuse Catholic literature; to defend Catholic principles, and protest against all measures antagonizing them.”

The Catholic Mirror, the cardinal’s “official organ,” Aug. 4, 1900, in an editorial, says:—

The development of the idea of Catholic federation is one of the most significant events of the day in America. From East and West, North and South, far and near, come reports of the growing interest in the plan, and of the activity and enthusiasm with which the idea is hailed by prelate, priest, and layman. It is to be the crusade of the twentieth century. Already, with Catholics, federation is the most important problem of the day, the central issue around which their energies should be expended.

Nobly is the plan being advanced by every legitimate effort by the pioneers in the movement, and most cordial is the response accorded to the repeated urgings of the Catholic press. The cry of “church and state,” “religion and politics,” has been raised by croakers in our midst and by adversaries without. The Catholic position has been correctly explained, however, by many in position to speak with weight of truth and sincerity; and without doubting, without faltering, the work will be advanced to a happy consummation. The success of Catholic federation will be the greatest triumph ever achieved by the Catholic press of the United States.

All this is laden with deepest meaning to us, to the nation, and to all the world. Awake, watch, work, and be ready!