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1 HE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
THE K. OF C. OATH.
(Editorial from New York Evening Sun, March
18, 1920.)
The Knights of Columbus are reminded, from time
to time, of the persistent purpose of certain persons
to stir up religious hatreds in election years. Lately
copies of the notorious “bogus fourth degree oath’’
attributed to them have been circulated in various
parts of the country. This offensive production, which
is about equally blasphemous and revolting, has been
circulated, occasionally, for many years. It is an
old and worn out imposture and among intelligent
persons defeats its own ends by its own absurdity.
Perhaps the best way to make clear what the obliga
tion is which is assumed by the Knights of Columbus
on entering the organization is to print it. Here it is:
The Real Obligation Taken by the K. of C.
I swear to support the Constitution of the United
States. I pledge myself, as a Catholic citizen and
Knight of Columbus to enlighten myself fully upon my
duties as a citizen and to conscientiously perform such
duties entirely in the interest of my country and re
gardless of all personal consequences. I pledge myself
to do all in my power to preserve the integrity and
purity of the ballot, and to promote reverence and
respect for law and order. I promise to practice my
religion openly and consistently, but without ostenta
tion, and to so conduct myself in public affairs and in
the exercise of public virtue as to reflect nothing but
credit upon our Holy Church, to the end that she may
flourish and our country prosper to the greater honor
and glory of God.
If this is not a simple pledge to good Americanism
and honest citizenship, what would be?
THE HARM FROM IGNORANCE.
We have received hundreds of letters about the at
titude of the Church toward Protestant marriages.
In fact, we get more letters on this one topic than
all others combined. The belief that the Church
teaches that non-Catholics are not married and that
their children are illegitimate, is one of the things
that has made most trouble for Catholicity in Georgia.
Many non-Catholics actually believe the Church
teaches this.
And as for some, who can blame them? Take the
writer of the subjoined letter ,for instance:
Albany, Ga.—In reply to your inquiry will say that
L too, have heard of the remarks attributed to the
Catholics in reference to marriage; in fact, have
had one to tell me that there were no true marriages,
unless performed by a priest, and that other mar
riages were a mere “sham,” and only recognized by
the civil law, and not in the sight of God, and that
all children were considered “illegitimate,” but though
I am a Protestant that does not cause me to feel any
hatred towards the Catholics, as I have quite a num
ber of GOOD friends among their faith; in fact, one
of the best friends is a Catholic, so why believe all
you hear?
All of us have a more or less fear of God, and why
should one sect seek to harm the other. Difference
of opinion in regards to religion does not alter facts.
We all have to die and face a future that no one can
tell, as far as I know.
We print it here because others like it have been
received. This writer is not a bigot. He wants to
be friendly. He actually likes Catholics. But can
any one blame him for a feeling of resentment against
the Church when a Catholic actually told him “there
were no true marriages unless performed by a priest?"
And the worst feature about it all is that that Catholic
probably believed the statement himself. There is
no excuse for such ignorance. It does fearful harm.
As has been said, how can we expect Protestants in
Georgia to know the truth about our teaching when
some of us are so ignorant about as important a sub
ject as the marriage laws of the Church?
In this connection we are reminded of a paragraph
from a letter recently received from one of the lead
ing Catholics of the state. In discussing pamphlets
to be issued by the publicity department he wrote:
"If a Catholic is confronted by a questioner that he
prefers to have the Association answer, why not either
get his questioner to write, or better still, write him
self asking that the question be answered to the
Protestant inquirer, and thus aid in the work of the
Association and at the same time satisfy the inquirer?
Many such matters that are not proper to be made
the subject of a pamphlet could be handled.”
Certainly, if one is not sure, he should not attempt
to tell what the Church’s position or teaching is. In
form yourself before you attempt to instruct or in
form others, is a good precept for the layman to keep
in mind.
CATHOLIC GIRL WINS $500 FOR BEST
ESSAY.
New York.—Anna Nolan, who began her school
work at St. Anselm’s School, One Hundred and Fifty-
ninth Street and Tinton Avenue, and was graduated
from there, taking up her high school duties at the
Roosevelt High School, has just been signally honored.
Of over 6,000 manuscripts received from elementary
and high school students, Miss Nolan’s was selected
by prominent educators and judges and awarded the
$500 prize offered by The New York American for
the best essay of 1,000 words on George Washington.
ATTACKS ON CATHOLICS REFLECT
ON MAKERS.
Atlanta.—The booklets which you sent me under
date of March I Oth, have been received and read
with much interest. 1 was especially impressed with
A Plea for Peace, Catholics in American His
tory,” and “Catholir Belief.”
I should be very pleased to have you send me a
copy of The Faith of Our Fathers,” by Cardinal
Gibbons. I am very much interested in the Catholic
religion and believe it is about as good as the Prot
estant religion. Not but a very few of my ancestors
have been Catholics, but I am most certainly not so
opposed to your belief as some people.
One thing that 1 have particularly noticed. I have
never heard the Protestants criticized in a Catholic