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Show CHURCH FAIRS CONDEMNED. For the archdiocese of Cincinnati Archbishop loeller in a pastoral letter to his clergy has made some rigid laws regarding fairs, picnics, excursions, etc., gotten up for the benefit, of the church. lb does not believe that the spiritual edifice should suffer from the scandals arising from such sources to build up the material edifice. The policy adopted by Archbishop Moeller has been the one chosen by Bishop Scanlan of this diocese soon after his elevation ele-vation to the episcopacy, and for a similar reason to that given by the archbishop in his pastoral letter. let-ter. In the letter he says that "fairs, picnics, excursions ex-cursions "and euchres often give occasion to scenes and acts which are not above reproach." In the erection of his new cathedral the only means adopted by the bishop of this diocese is an appeal to his people for a voluntary contribution. When funds entrusted to his charge were expended he hesitated about making another appeal. Whilst hesitating, a committee of the congregation called on him and guaranteed to raise $7.1.000 to complete ,the beautiful edifice. Their promise was soon ful filled. Xo inducement could change his' mind to get money otherwise than by the free gift of his people. The high standard which ho adopted, namely, that, it is a privilege for every good Cath-' olic to contribute to the erection of the temple of God. has assimilated itself with the lives of his people. Following in his example, the .archbishop of Cincinnati says iu his pastoral: "We feel disposed peremptorily to forbid them, but. fearing 1 st we might thereby embarrass some pastors, we deem it sufficient for the present to make known this our decided opposition to such proceedings." When permission is given, stringent rules prohibiting pro-hibiting fairs and picnics on Sundays are laid down. The archbishop also "forbids appeals to general public for assistance, or the collection of money at the church doors as an entrance to service." serv-ice." A standing card in The Intermountain Catholic Cath-olic prohibits any appeal to the general public for assistance in church matters. Thisis for the protection pro-tection of the people who are so often snnoyed by religious beggars. Such protection the public appreciates. ap-preciates. "Collection at the doors on entrance to service" has never been adopted in the diocese of Salt Lake, and will not be introduced during the lifetime of tho present bishop. The church belongs to the people, and the poor as well as the rich have the same right to enter their Father's house. |