1. Unless otherwise identified, all material used in this article is taken from “The Petition and Report of the Seven Bishops of the Administrative Committee of the National Catholic Welfare Council to His Holiness Pope Pius XI,” a copy of which may be found in the archives of the Catholic University of America (E7–1) along with copies of the original decree of suppression and the revocation of suppression that followed the bishops' petition.

2. The story of the National Catholic War Council and its implications for American Catholicisim are detailed in Mckeown, Elizabeth, “War and Welfare: A Study of American Catholic Leadership, 1917–1922,” Ph. D. diss., Divinity School of the University of cago, 1972.Google Scholar

3. Benedict XV died of influenza on January 22, 1922, and Pius XI was elected early in February. On February 25, 1922 the Sacred Congregation of the Consistory issued the following decree on episcopal gatherings in the United States: In the United States of America, the custom has recently arisen that all diocesan ordinaries assemble, even from outlying provinces, to treat of some matters which seemed to require assembled deliberation. Furthermore, in order to settle other matters which may occur during the year, they have determined to establish a certain committee of bishops called the National Catholic Welfare Council.But now, because circumstances have changed, some bishops in their own name and that of others have decided that the procedure and this establishment is no longer needful or useful: so they have asked the Holy See that steps be taken.When, therefore, by direction of the Holy Father, Pope Pius XI, this matter was taken up in the full committee of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation, on February 23 of this year, the eminent Fathers decided that the rule of the common law he wholly re-established and, therefore, such general gatherings be not held anymore, except for reasons reviewed and approved by the Holy See in each case, in keeping with Canon 281 of the Code. Likewise the eminent Fathers have cited that the office and activity of the above National Catholic Welfare Council committee should cease, and what is laid down about conferences and provincial councils in Chapter VII of Book II of the Code and in the decree of the Congregation of July 25, 1916, be observed. The Holy Father sustained and confirmed this decision and ordered that it be made known through the Apostolic Delegate to all the Ordinaries of the United States of America.Given at Rome, in the office of the Consistorial Congregation, February 25, 1922.(signed) C. Cardinal De Lai, Bishop of Sabina, Secretary

4. Cardinal William O'Connell of Boston was the most prominont opponent of the Wclfare Council, but there is no official list of those who took their complaints to Rome. About two- thirds of the American hierarchy supported the effort to keep the Council in existence.

5. The petition carries the signatures of the seven bishops who were the current members of the Administrative Committee of the Council. These men formed the nucleus of episcopal leadership, and the routine business of the Council was carried on by several committees of clergy and laymen under their direction. The entire hierarchy assmbled only once each year.

6. On April 10, 1919 Benedict XV indicated in a letter to Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore his approval of the plans that were being developed for the Welfare Council: “We learn that you have unanimously resolved that a yearly meeting of all the bishops shall be held. … This is truly a worthy resolve, and with the utmost satisfaction We bestow upon it Our approval.” (United States Catholic Conference, National Catholic War Council file, Benedict XV to Gibbons, April 10, 1919.) Benedict again indicated his approval of tho Council after the first annual meeting in September 1919.

7. The decree of revelation from the Consistorial Congregation is as follows (additional work is necessary to determine the impact of the attached instruction on tho Welfare Councils): In a Plenary Session held on the twenty-second day of the month of June, the Sacred Consistorial Congregation, acting on new data, has decided that nothing is to be changed concerning “The National Catholic Welfare Council” and that, therefore, the Bishops of the United States of North America may meet next September as is their custom, in accordance, however, with the instructions to be given below. Given at Rome at the Office of the Sacred Coasistorial Congregation on the twenty- second day of June, 1922. (signed) Cajetan Cardinal De Lai, Bishop of Sabina, Secretary[The appended instructions set forth the rules by which the Council would henceforth meet:] Instructions of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation concerning the meeting of the Bishops of the United States of North America to be held in the month of September, in the year nineteen hundred and twenty-two. These instructions for the meeting of the Bishops, which is to be held in the coming month of September, in accordance with the Decree of the twenty-second day of June, 1922, are issued by order of His Holiness. 1. Whereas, some Bishops for reasons which seem to be weighty, have expressed a wish that these meetings be not held every year, the Bishops should consider whether or not hereafter the meeting should be held at longer intervals. 2. In any case, for the peace of mind of those who have misgivings about united action, it should be very well understood that the meeting is entirely voluntary and that Bishops are are not bound to attend these meetings, either in person or by representative. 3. Likewise, as the decisions of the Bishops at these meetings have nothing in common with conciliar legislation, which is governed by a prescript of the Sacred Canons (Codex Can. 281 and T.FF.), they will not have the force of law, since, as from the beginning, it has been clearly understood the meetings are held merely for friendly conference about measures of a common public interest for the safeguarding of the Church's work in the United States.4. That the Bishops may be in a position to enter into the discussions with proper deliberation, they should be provided in due season by those in charge of the meeting with a summary of the points or questions to be considered. This, however, should not hinder any Bishop from proposing to the meeting any other question of particular interest. Yet all questions should deal with those topics proposed by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV in the brief, “Communes” dated the tenth of April, 1919. 5. The Chairman of the meeting will be determined by the prescriptions of Canon law. 6. The minutes of the meeting are to be communicated to the Holy See so that if there be need the Holy See may with its authority intervene. 7. The ordinaries of each ecciesiatical province may, before the General Meeting, meet with their metropolitan or senior bishop to confer beforehand upon some point.8. Whereas the name, the National Catholic Welfare Council, is open to some misunderstandings, and in fact has not been acceptable to all, it may be well for the Bishops to con- alder whether it would not be wise to choose some other name, as for instance, “The National Catholic Welfare Committee.” Meanwhile, all should know that this organization, however named, is not to be identified with the Catholic hierarchy itself in the United States. 9. The Bishops in their General Meeting may delegate some person or persons, or committee, to undertake some definite commission during the intervals between the meetings. But care must be taken:(a) That the commission be limited from the beginning, both as to time and method of operation.(b) That no infringement of canonical authority of any ordinary In the government of his diocese be made by any agent or committee thus established.(c) That on due denunciation and proof of interference in the internal management of a diocese by any agent of the Welfare Council, the said agent shall be summarily dismissed from the office.(d) The choice of those who are to be thus employed as agents of the Bishops will be made by the Bishops at their General Meeting, and at their pleasure. Those who are so engaged will hold office meeting to meeting and must make reports, especially of their accounts, at every meeting. The Bishops, if they so please, may re-elect those agents according to the needs of the work.