KANSAS BISHOP PREDICTS NATIONAL DISINTEGRATION & CATASTROPHE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 28, 1922, Bishop A. J. Swertner* of Wichita, Kansas condemned divorce, birth control and a "God forsaken system of education" which may lead to "national disintegration and catastrophe."
The Bishop was delivering a sermon at St. Patrick's Church** before the convention of the National Council of Catholic Men***.
According to Bishop Swertner, statistics show 50% of the American people now "profess no religion at all."
JFK+50 NOTE
According to a new study about 30% of Americans today say they have no religious affiliation.
*Augustus John Schwertner (1870-1939) was born in Canton, Ohio & was ordained in 1897. AJS was appointed Bishop of Wichita by Pope Benedict XV. He served in that position 1921-1939.
**St. Patrick's Church, 619 10th St., NW, was established in 1794 & is the oldest Catholic parish in the Nation's Capital.
***NCCM was established in 1920 to be a central clearinghouse for information on lay activities, promote co-operation & inculcate Catholic principles in society.
SOURCES
"Bishop Deplores Lake of Religion," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 28, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"National Council of Catholic Men," University Libraries, The Catholic University of America, www.libraries.catholic.edu/
