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(1) To promote the social, intellectual, temporal and spiritual welfare
of its members.
(2) In general, to promote the study, by Catholic lawyers, of the
application of Christian principles to modern problems.
(3) To uphold the highest standards and best traditions of the legal
profession in America.
(4) To be of assistance to the Archdiocese of Chicago and to the clergy
in general in an advisory capacity in matters of pending legislation,
state and national.
(5) To promote a study of Canon Law in relation to marriage and to
discourage the institution in civil courts of proceedings which contravene
Christian morality, especially of unjustified divorce proceedings.
(6) To promote a study of local charitable institutions, of their
purposes and needs, and of the law relating to charitable bequests,
with a view to encouraging such bequests.
(7) To enlist the aid of all Catholic members of the bar through frequent
reception of the Sacraments to bind them more closely in the pursuit
of these ends."
The first meeting of the members of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Incorporated,
was held on Monday, October 29, 1945. Mr. William H. Sexton, K.S.G.,
was President and had been President from the first year that the
Guild met in 1934 through its incorporation until 1954.
Some of the other significant events in the Guild's history are as
follows:
January, 1951 - Miss Lillian Grier, a nurse, presented to the
Guild a framed picture of St. Ives' window in the Cathedral in France.
It was a part of Dean Wigmore's collection.
September, 1953 - The American Bar Association invited the
Guild to participate in its convention beginning August 16, 1954,
by making the Red Mass a part of the convention proceedings. The 20th
Anniversary of the Red Mass was said as a part of the 76th Convention
of the American Bar Association on August 15, 1954.
February, 1954 - Preparations were made for a series of four
lectures covering the general subject "The Catholic Lawyer's
Defense of Man." The first lecture was scheduled on March 22nd
with his Eminence Samual Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago,
as the speaker; the second on April 6th with the Very Reverend John
S. Quinn; the third with the Very Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Burke.
May, 1958 - At the request of the Forensic League of Chicago
the Guild provided 48 judges for debates to be held on the question,
"Resolve That U.S. Foreign Aid Should Be Supplemented."
May, 1958 - The Guild attended a Mass at St. Peter's Church
as a tribute to the canonization of St. Thomas More. The staff of
the Chancery Office presented a mock trial in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal
of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Volume One, Number One of the Catholic
Lawyer's Briefs was published.
October, 1958 - A Resolution was spread of record memorizing
his Eminence, Samuel Cardinal Strich, who had been summoned to Rome
to take the post of Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith and there
suffered a most untimely death on the 27th day of May, 1958.
October, 1963 - A theatre party was sponsored by the Guild
for "A Man For All Seasons", St. Thomas More - Lord Chancellor
of England...his legal-moral struggle with King Henry VIII.
May, 1964 - Monsignor John Quinn, Chief Judge of the Archdiocesan
Matrimonial Tribunal and an expert on canon law, who actively participated
in the work of the Ecclesiastical Council as Coordinator of American
Consultants, spoke before the Guild at a meeting at the Sherman House.
He discussed the work of the Council in the critical areas of freedom
of religion and liberty of conscience. The luncheon was also a testimonial
for the founder and former chaplain, Monsignor Edward V. Dailey.
June, 1965 - A Resolution was passed by the Guild recognizing
the right of person to protest and to otherwise exercise their rights
of free speech and free assembly, however, deploring and condemning
demonstrations and protests which breach the peace and otherwise break
down public order, and urging all persons that take part in demonstrations
and protest for the law and for the safety and welfare of out community
and of our society. This Resolution was passed at a time when persons
in Chicago were protesting the reappointment of Dr. Benjamin C. Willis
as Superintendent of Schools in Chicago. A press release, incorporating
the entire language of the Resolution was sent to and printed by Chicago
newspapers.
June, 1969 - A committee was appointed to draft a Resolution
regarding activities of nuns and priests in public demonstrations
thereby bringing disrespect upon the Church.
The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, in existence since 1934, and
still a strong, viable organization, was the first such Guild in the
United States. Under the leadership of President Edward R. Tiedebohl,
at least eighteen such Guilds were organized in various cities in
the country. The Guild's officers were invited as guests to the first
Red Masses said in the cities of New York, Cleveland, Indianapolis,
and San Francisco because of their assistance in organizing those
Guilds.
The Guild recognizes its obligations under the Canon Law of the Catholic
Church, the laws and regulations of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the
directions given it by operates under its Ecclesiastical Authority.
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