People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1895 — Vader the Papal Ban. [ARTICLE]

Vader the Papal Ban.

The edict regarding certain fraternal secret societies was recently read in St. Augustine’s Catholic church here by the Rev. Father Stanislaus. As the public knows it requires Catholics to choose between the church and these societies, among which are the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. A prominent Catholic when asked to say something in regard to this much discussed matter, said: “I regret very much that the differences between the Church and the fraternal societies could not have been adjusted; The matter could have been arranged if the societies had not refused to submit their constitution and teachings to the pope that the Church might judge whether there was anything detrimental to the Catholic faith. This the committee agreed to do, when two years ago, the fraternities sent it to Baltimore to meet the congress of bishops. Catholics of America generally, and the bishops especially, are anxious to have the ban removed, as there is a feeling that affiliation through the societies tend to break down religious prejudice, which mars, to a great extent, the social intercourse of communities. The decree will probably not be altered until the constitution is submitted.”