AMERICAN FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES, The. Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, 10 Dec. 1901. The Federa tion is an organization of Catholics in the United States for the purpose of advancing their civil, social and religious interests. It is not a political organization, and does not con trol the political affiliation of its members; it asks no favors or privileges, but openly pro claims what is just and fair. It aims at the creation of sound public opinion on all impor tant topics of the day; it stands for the Chris tian life of the nation itself ; for the proper observance of Sunday; for the Christian edu cation of youth; for the stamping out of immorality; for the sanctity and perpetuity of Christian marriage; for the safeguarding of the Christian home. It asserts the necessity of Christian principles in social and public life, in the state, in business, in all financial and industrial relations. It combats all errors
which are in opposition to Christianity and threaten to undermine the very foundation of human society. It is willing to co-operate with all loyal citizens and with all civil and social energies which work for truth and virtue. It exposes falsehood and injustice, whether in misrepresentation of history, doctrine or prin ciples of morality. The aims of the Federation, therefore, are both religious and patriotic. Its membership is composed of the leading Catholic national organizations, of county and State federations, Catholic institutions and indi vidual societies and parishes, with an approxi mate membership of 3,000,000. The organiza tion has the endorsement of the American Hierarchy and of the Pope. The advisory hoard is headed by Cardinal Gibbons, Cardinal Farley and Cardinal O'Connell.