Catholic Church Extension Society
Encyclopedia
The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America (mostly named The Catholic Church Extension Society or just Catholic Extension) is a charitable organization affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church that seeks to support the Church's activities in under-resourced and isolated communities in the United States. The society's Canadian counterpart is called Catholic Missions In Canada.
published in the American Ecclesiastical Review (Philadelphia). Under the leadership of James Edward Quigley
, Archbishop of Chicago
, a new society, called The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America, was organized on 18 October 1905.
Temporary headquarters were established at Lapeer, Michigan
. The second meeting was held in December of the same year, when the constitution was adopted and the work formally launched. A charter was granted on 25 December 1905, by the State of Michigan to the new society, whose objects were set forth as follows:
In January 1907, the headquarters of the society were moved to Chicago, and the president was transferred to that archdiocese. In April 1906, the society began the publication of a quarterly bulletin called Extension. In May 1907, this quarterly was enlarged and changed into a monthly.
On 7 June 1907, the society received its first papal approval by an Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius X
addressed to the Archbishop of Chicago. On 9 June 1910, the pope issued a special brief by which the society was raised to the dignity of a canonical institution
directly under his own guidance and protection. By the terms of this brief, the Archbishop of Chicago is always to be chancellor of the Society, and the president must be appointed by the Pope himself. His term of office is not more than five years. The board of governors has the right to propose three names to the Holy See for this office, and to elect, according to their laws, all other officers of the society. The brief also provided for a cardinal protector, living in Rome. The Pope named Cardinal Sebastiano Martinelli
. The brief also limits the society's activities to the United States and its possessions.
, Archbishop of Toronto
. The society was formed on 23 September 1908, by Monsignor E. Alfred Burke from the Diocese of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. A papal brief was issued to the Church Extension Society in Canada on 9 June 1910, granting it papal approval and pontifical status. The Canadian society purchased the Catholic Register, a weekly paper, enlarged it, and turned it into its official organ.
In 1999, the name of the Society was changed to Catholic Missions In Canada to better reflect its mission and outreach.
United States
The first active agitation for a church extension or home mission society for the Catholic Church in North America was begun in 1904 by an article by Francis KelleyFrancis Kelley
Francis Clement Kelley was the second Roman Catholic Bishop of Oklahoma. He was a Catholic Priest for 54 years, and Bishop for 23 years.-Early life:...
published in the American Ecclesiastical Review (Philadelphia). Under the leadership of James Edward Quigley
James Edward Quigley
James Edward Quigley was a Canadian-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Buffalo, New York and Archbishop of Chicago .-Biography:...
, Archbishop of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
, a new society, called The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America, was organized on 18 October 1905.
Temporary headquarters were established at Lapeer, Michigan
Lapeer, Michigan
Lapeer is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Lapeer County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,841. Most of the city was incorporated from land that was formerly in Lapeer Township, though portions were also annexed from Mayfield Township and Elba...
. The second meeting was held in December of the same year, when the constitution was adopted and the work formally launched. A charter was granted on 25 December 1905, by the State of Michigan to the new society, whose objects were set forth as follows:
To develop the missionary spirit in the clergy and people of the Catholic Church in the United States. To assist in the erection of parish buildings for poor and needy places. To support priests for neglected or poverty-stricken districts. To send the comfort of religion to pioneer localities. In a word, to preserve the faith of Jesus Christ to thousands of scattered Catholics in every portion of our own land, especially in the country districts and among immigrants.
In January 1907, the headquarters of the society were moved to Chicago, and the president was transferred to that archdiocese. In April 1906, the society began the publication of a quarterly bulletin called Extension. In May 1907, this quarterly was enlarged and changed into a monthly.
On 7 June 1907, the society received its first papal approval by an Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
addressed to the Archbishop of Chicago. On 9 June 1910, the pope issued a special brief by which the society was raised to the dignity of a canonical institution
Canonical institution
Canonical institution is a technical term of the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, meaning in practice an institution having full recognition and status within the Church.-Benefices:...
directly under his own guidance and protection. By the terms of this brief, the Archbishop of Chicago is always to be chancellor of the Society, and the president must be appointed by the Pope himself. His term of office is not more than five years. The board of governors has the right to propose three names to the Holy See for this office, and to elect, according to their laws, all other officers of the society. The brief also provided for a cardinal protector, living in Rome. The Pope named Cardinal Sebastiano Martinelli
Sebastiano Martinelli
Sebastiano Martinelli was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Congregation of Rites.-Early life:...
. The brief also limits the society's activities to the United States and its possessions.
Canada
The church extension movement was organized in Canada as an independent society, bearing the name of "The Catholic Church Extension Society of Canada", by a group including Fergus Patrick McEvayFergus Patrick McEvay
Fergus Patrick McEvay, , was the Roman Catholic archbishop of Toronto from 1908 to 1911.Born in Lindsay, Ontario, McEvay studied at University of St. Michael's College and Grand séminaire de Montréal. He became an ordained Priest of Kingston, Ontario and in 1899 appointed Bishop of London, Ontario...
, Archbishop of Toronto
Roman Catholic Archbishops of Toronto
This is a list of the Roman Catholic Archbishops of Toronto.The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto was created out of the Diocese of Kingston December 17, 1841....
. The society was formed on 23 September 1908, by Monsignor E. Alfred Burke from the Diocese of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. A papal brief was issued to the Church Extension Society in Canada on 9 June 1910, granting it papal approval and pontifical status. The Canadian society purchased the Catholic Register, a weekly paper, enlarged it, and turned it into its official organ.
In 1999, the name of the Society was changed to Catholic Missions In Canada to better reflect its mission and outreach.