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February 1, 2024Bishop Meerschaert provided guidance for navigating World War I relief efforts
With the Great War coming to a close, Bishop Theophile Meerschaert issued a circular letter dated September 1918, outlining the Church in Oklahoma’s role and duty in war relief efforts.
The mission would entail a detailed plan to raise funds for all the agencies engaged in recreational and the general welfare of the armed forces in military posts and ports (the Navy) stateside as well as overseas. The money would go to organizations such as the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the National Catholic War Council, Jewish Welfare, the Library Association, and the Salvation Army.
An executive committee was formed led by E. W. Marland of Ponca City to oversee the project for Oklahoma. For the Oklahoma Catholic War Council, Tom Wade of Marlow, state deputy of the Knights of Columbus, was appointed along with Monsignor Sevens of El Reno.
As a response to the general anti-Catholic attitude permeating the state, Catholics tended to overcompensate to prove their loyalty to the United States by joining organizations such as the Oklahoma School Children’s Patriotic League whose motto was “My country, may she ever be right, but right or wrong, my country.”
This sentiment was fueled by the desire in heavy German towns such as Kingfisher and Okarche to make sure it was understood that they were now Americans. This idea was encouraged Bishop Meerschaert in his letter, “it should not be necessary to remind you of the great importance of this campaign and the magnificent opportunity it will afford us as to prove to the world our loyalty to our country and out love of our Church. Let me therefore ask you to give your time, your cooperation, your talents, in whatever capacity that might be requested of you.”
Recognizing the value of cooperation and ecumenism (even in 1918), he stated, “I want you to bear in mind that all committees will be joint committees in which all organizations interested will be represented. Work with those committees in a friendly and whole-hearted manner, having but one object in view; the ultimate and glorious success of this campaign, a success that will largely depend upon the united efforts of its citizens.”
Bishop Meerschaert, himself a Belgian immigrant, understood the plight of the person coming to this country for a better life or in his case to give his life in service to a new and challenging land. As a naturalized citizen and a lover of the United States, he was determined to reveal the goodness and innate generosity of the faithful Catholic regardless of his/her ethnic background.
Speaking with a marked foreign accent and the victim of extreme prejudice on several occasions, he nevertheless sought to bring people of all cultures to Christ.
Photo: Sts. Peter and Paul, Kingfisher, April 1918
