Irish Catholic Benevolent Union

The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union was founded in Dayton Ohio, on August 16, 1869. The chief aim of the ICBU was to promote Catholic unity by practicing benevolence and Christian charity, especially in times of crisis. Other objectives included: the promotion of the welfare of the societies comprising it and the united co-operating of the societies in all Catholic endeavors. Membership to a specific society was organized on a Catholic basis. The societies were barred from admitting other than practicing Catholics and any election of member from condemned secret societies. There was a small admission fee levied and payment of annual per capita tax was mandatory for each member. The two chief features of the Union were the traveling cards and the widows’ and orphans’ department. It was the design of the Union to have a branch in every parish in American, so that a Catholic going from one part of the country to another could always be sure of finding a society where he goes that will give him assistance in sickness and give his remains a Catholic burial in death. The widow and orphan department was a beneficial fund set up by assessment on the death of any member in good standing if any particular society affiliated to the Union. (Taken from original finding aid written by seminarians at St. Charles)