Page 5, 2nd February 1951

2nd February 1951

Page 5

Page 5, 2nd February 1951 — BISHOPS WILL DECIDE ON ROTARY BAN
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Organisations: Rotary Club, Holy Office

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BISHOPS WILL DECIDE ON ROTARY BAN

Vatican paper explains Holy Office decree
DOUBTS about the meaning and application of the decree of the Holy Office concerning Catholic membership of Rotary Clubs are cleared up in a special article in the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano.
Four points made clear in this article are : 1. It is unlawful for a priest to be a member of a Rotary Club or to take part in meetings dealing with its economic and professional affairs.
2. The prohibition, however, does not apply to meetings called by Rotary Clubs which are open to non-members for aims in keeping with priestly activities such as helping in welfare and charitable works.
3. With regard to the laity the decree does not contain a prohibition as it does for the clergy. It is limited to the " exhortation" to Catholics to be guided by Canon Law.
4. It is for the Bishops. each in his own diocese, to decide whether or not Rotary is to be considered as a "suspect " association.
With regard to the laity, the Osservatore calls attention to canon 634 of Canon Law.
This praises Catholic laity who lend their namcs to and support associations established in or recom mended by the Church. It also warns against those associations to which can be applied one of the qualifications listed in the same canon.
Indifference
It is an error, says the Osservatore, to attribute to Rotary each and all the qualifications listed. as some newspapers have done.
ft is sufficient that one of the qualifications is applicable, and especially if such an association from the Catholic point of view should be considered "suspect."
In the present case, the Vatican newspaper remarks, the Holy Office directive would appear to be justified by the lay and non-religious spirit which is characteristic of Rotary, even with regard to problems in which a Catholic cannot prescind from the Church's teaching, as, for example. in the moral sphere or on the subject of social justice.
This characteristic, it says, appears evident from Article 3 of the Statute and also from the general tone of the 11 articles of the socalled Code of Ethics of Rotary. as well as certain statements made in the past by responsible directors.
"Such a lay spirit and the religious indifference which easily results facilitates the infiltration into the Rotary Club of Masonic and anti-clerical elements, as in fact has been the case in several countries where, through a dominating Masonic influence, the activity of the clubs has been in contrast with the activity and aim of the Church.
Bishops' decision
" It most be added, however, that such conditions have not arisen in other countries where, through the influence of leaders or members well disposed to the Church. the attitude of the Rotary Club has in practice been shown to be tolerant and favourable with regard to religious interests.
"This explains why the Bishops in Spain, Holland and several countries of Latin American issued strong directives with regard to Rotary Clubs,. while in other countries the Bishops tolerate membership of the faithful of the same association.
" It is therefore for the clearsightedness of those who have the duty of the spiritual direction of the faithful—that is to say. the Bishops —to decide if in the concrete cir cumstances in their own dioceses the Rotary Club is to be considered as a "suspect " association.
"Thus it is clear that where the suspicion exists, the Bishops must exhort Catholics not to be members of the Rotary Club.
"Where, however, such suspicion does not exist, either because of proof given in the past or because of serious guarantees that the directors intend to give. the Bishops can refrain from such an exhortation. since the required motive is lacking.
" In making their decisions the Bishops will certainly proceed not regarding only their own particular dioceses but also considering the Rotary in the light of the religious interests of the whole country."




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