The Jeffersonian (Jefferson, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 8, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 1, 1951 Page: 10 of 12
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 10
THE
IONIAN
APRIL, 1*51
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ROTARY?
IF AMERICANS KNEW CONDITIONS IN OTHER
COUNTRIES, THEY WOULD NOT REGARD POPE
PIUS'S CLERGY DECREE AS "SURPRISING"
Vast numbers of Americans,
particularly those Protestants
who know very little about the
Catholic Church, were puzzled
recently when a news despatch
from Rome announced that Pope
Pius had forbidden Catholic
priests to be members of Rotary
clubs. Unaware of the conditions
in other countries which made
the regulation quite reasonable,
many asked, with some empha-
sis: "What's wrong with Ro-
tary?"
These same good people were
also much confused because the
frequent inaccurate reporting of
associated news services had led
many of them falsely to believe
that the Roman Catholic Pope
had also put his ban on Lions
Club, Kiwanis, Optimist, Chamber
of Commerce, etc. Once again
the American public was occas
ioned deep misunderstanding as
a result of newspapers quoting a
rumor for fact. For millions that
misunderstanding has not yet
been cleared up, for publicity
given to the correction of what
was only a rumor from nidentl-
fied "high Vatican sources" did
not equal the publicity given to
the rumor itself,
RUMOR WAS FRONT PAGED
Tlie rumor, broadcast to the
World by news agencies which
Apparently make a habit of not
being careful to check the offi-
cial nature of news Items where
the Catholic Church is concern-
ed, the rumor, in this instance,
stated that Catholic priests not
only couldn't belong to Rotary
but that they were banned from
all civic clubs. This rumor,
which was a complete falsehood,
was frontpaged. Days later the
news that the Catholic Church's
decree hadn't even mentioned
these other clubs was buried in
a small article on the back page
and left out of some papers en-
tirely. In addition the real rea-
son for the Papal action banning
priestly membership In Rotary
club* was never publicized.
CONFUSION DEPLORED
In one small Texas town the
Catholic pastor, speaklnig before
the Lions Club, one of the or-
ganizations falsely reported as
being banned to pdiests, empha-
tically deplored the unfortunate
misunderstandings which the la-
Accurate reporting of the prees
on the Rotary decree had caused.
Hid the conditions In other
countries' which prompted the
Pope's action been known, the
pHeet Mid no American would
regard the decree of Pope Plus
as surprising.
Most Americans, the priest,
sa(d did not approve of the mur-
der of ministers of religion, re-
gardless of faith. He then point-
ed out that in 1937 in 8paln in
tjh e city of Madrid alone 350
Ionian Catholic priests were
murdered. In the whole of Spain,
He added, 11,000 Catholic priest*
qnd nuns and 11 Catholic Bis-
hops were butchered in cold
fjlood.
This carnarfe, revolting as it
lit to all Americans, the prlesi
said was, of course, carried out
by those people whom the U. S.
has now discovered to be our
enemies too — the Communists.
But he silded that in Spain there
Were other antireMrious groups
which were sympathetic to the
persecution of the Church and
that unfortunately most of those
who Joined organizations like
Rotary In Spain were violent
anti-clericals. leftists etc. Thus
the organization was given an
anti-religions complexion.
SITUATION IN MEXICO
The priest also pointed to the
situation in Mexico. In modern
times he said, Russia, our com-
mon enemy, had exiled 5 Arch-
bishops and Bishops of the
Church in Mexico, had ousted
12 from their dioceses, martyred
more than 40 priests and perse
cuted or sent into hiding 2,500
others.
In countries like Mexico and
Spain, the priest pointed out,
unfortunately some secret lodges
and organizations like Rotary
had promoted the anti-religious
work of the Communists, ha<
aken part in persecution of the
Church and had approved of the
murder and fouj treatment of
iuns. This anti-religious activity
which is a matter of the record
lie said, had given these groups,
amely, the lodges and Rotary a
ar different complexion than
their counterparts in the United
tates.
POPE'S VIEW NO SURPRISE
With these facts in mind the
priest concluded that no Ameri-
can would regard it as surprising
that Pope Pius didn't want his
priests active in an organization
whose record In other countries
had been so different from its
ictlvlty in the U. S. Americans
who oppose the murder of the
ninisters of any religion, the
priest observed, would under-
stand Pope Pius's view.
A dally newspaper in its re-
port of the talk made by this
priest, stated that "it was some-
what of a coincidence that at
'he time of the papal decdee
Rotary International's president
was a member of the Roman
Catholic faith, a resident of
Canada."
In a letter to the paper the
>riest made this comment:
NO BAN ON LAYMEN
"Since the decree on Rotary
constituted no condemnation ot
he organization itself but simply
'.aid' down restrict tons on non
jriestly activity, based on t b e
■ ery real circumstance that In
ome countries it had been anti-
clerical, there need therefore be
no surprise that the president
of Rotary International at pre
sent is a Romaa Catholic. Lay-
men are trot banned from shar
ing in the good done by Rotary,
especially in a country like ours
where. — tbaak God — the antl-
-eliglous element has not shaped
its policies nor ever been active
In It."
CONCLUSION: The Catholic
"hurch Is an organization which
ecORDlies that Jesus Chriet gave
blessed Peter and his succesors
the authority of the keys of
Heaven. In the Catholic Church
the Pope at times makes regu-
lations for his priests. When he
d'es' so, he generally always has
the best interests of the clergy
and the whole Catholic ChurCh
In mind. These regulations arej
made on an International levels
since the Pope Is not accustomed
to nationalism In bis relations
with his clergy. In the above
regulation the 261st occupant of
the Bishopric of Rome had good
reasons. Though in some human
hearts It Undoubtedly occasioned
♦he bitterness that flttws firom
confusion and misunderstanding,
<n the long run the wisdom of
the successor of Peter will no
doubt be demonstrated.
Groundbreaking—
(Continued from page 9)
Herman Boehmer. In introducing
her Father stated her qualifica.
tlon to take part in a St. Pat
rick's Day affair—she was born
Mary Hogan. Next for Hughes
Springs Mrs. Frank Hopkins, the
mother of 6 children, too the sho
vel. A native of Wisconsin, Mrs.
Hopkins also has a distinction—
she and her husband are oldest
in point of residence of the
Catholic community at Hughe:
Springs. After Mrs. Hopkins the
following took the shovel and
broke ground: Father Don Hart,
nett, Longview, Father John
Matzner, Ciarksville, altar boys
JYankie Hopkins and Tommy
Williams, Hughes Springs, Sistev
Hugh, superior of the Longview
Sisters ot Notre Dame, Sister
Petronilla, superior of the Holy
Family Sisters, Marshall, anO
Father John O'Rourke.
12 PROGRESSIVE CITIZENS
Speaking In the name of thi
Bishop, Father O'Rourke ther
ook occason to express publicl;
he gratitude of the diocese for
he civic interest of 12 promin
rat Daingorfield citizens whici
prompted them to help th
Catholic Church get establishe.
in Daingerfield. After it wa
known that officals of the Cath
olic Church had decided that th
church should be built in Dain
gerfleld due to the presenci
there of 9 out of the 13 mission
families, these 12 citizens through
the Chamber of Commerce don
ated (1600 as a civic gesture to
help the Church buy its $2500 f
acre tract on whtch construction
has now begun. Father express,
ed his regrets that these 12
citizens; invited aB special guests
were unaple to attend because of
the funeral uf a prominent Dain.
;erfield citizen being held at the
same time.
MAYOR MORRISON SPEAK8
Representing the City of Dain.
gerfleld, Mayor Dick Morrison
next spoke of the happiness of
■he people of Dalngerfield that
"your beautiful and commodious
chapel is about to be j>uilt."
The principal address of the
afternoon was given by Father
fohn Matzner, pastor of St.
Toaeph's Church, Ciarksville. The
visiting priest talk of the beau-
tiful story ot Fatlma and of the
great shrine built at Fatlma.
Portugal as a monument to the
Mother ot God. in detail he
spoke of the belief ot Catholics
that, Just as God sent angels as
messengers in the Old Law, in
this New Testament He has sev-
eral times sent His Blessed
Mother with a message to men.
FATIMA WIDE APPEAL
'-The measage of Fatlma,"
Father Matzner declared, "is
essentially a message of prayei
and penance. As such It har
Teat appeal not only to Catholicp
but to non .Catholics who realist
that the conversion of Russlr>*
and world peace cannot be won
the field of battle alone bu
a crusade of prpyer and pen
sJpce." ■■
.'The message of the Mother o'
(Continued o„ page 11, col.l)
NCCW MEETS AT HENDERSON
mmm
Catholic ladies from East Texas units of the national Council
iif Catholic Women are shown above kneeling in St. Jude's Church,
Henderson as Very Rev. Vincent J. Wolf, dean of the Tyler deanery,
officiates at Benediction or the blessing of the people with the Real
Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The special devotions
at St. Jude's concluded ,the March 5 meeting of the NCCW. Father
Lynch, pastor of Henderson,' was host for the quarterly meeting.
JKFFERSONiAN staff photo.
Catholic Church
Started Custom
Of Easter Eggs
Brightly colored eggs and
Easter are now Just about a>
closely connected in the populai
mind as Christmas and Sant;
Claus. Few, however, know the
origin or the custom to color
eggs brightly at Easter time.
Centuries ago during the sea-
son of Lent the Catholic Church
imposed on her children as a
penance abstinence not only
from meat but also from eggs.
So it was that when the season
of Lent was over, on Easter
Sunday eggs were brought to the
table in colors to symbolize the
great joy of Easter.
0
OUR LORD HONORED IN EUCHARIST
''-s <• V<Y 1
„ . s • . if i ' i
An altar boy kneels In adoration before the Bllessed Sacrament
exposed In the golden vessel called the "monstrance" on the high
altar of St. Joseph's Church, Marshall. The occasion: the recent
observance of "Forty Hours," a devotion held yearly in every parish
throughout the world to honor the fulfillment by Jesus Christ of His
protplse to give .a bread which would be His very flesh tor the life
of the world, the PrincipeUmU^r/tyn every Catholic church contains a
tabernacle 1n Which Is 'k*Mrthat consecrated Bread about which St;
Paul wrote: "If anyone eats .this fcread 0r drinks the chalice of the?
"Wl/VA/guilty of THE BODY AND BLOOD OF
CHRIST." The ttahk> altar being tW home of the Eucharistic Jesus,
the Savior is always given the place ot greatest honor in a Catholic
church. JEFFERSON1AN staff photo.
The 261 Popes carry the Cath-
olic Church bark to Jesus Christ,
the God roan who died for all
men.
EVERY SUBSCRIBER GET 3 NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
NOTE OUR SITUATION ON ANOTHER PACE
CONTACT YOUR CATHOLIC FRIENDS
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View one place within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
O'Rourke, John G. The Jeffersonian (Jefferson, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 8, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 1, 1951, newspaper, April 1, 1951; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth293190/m1/10/?q=%22~1~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.