Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-06

Cd. To adore the cross: this word, If applied
10 the cross itself, means no more than an infe-
rior and relative respect paid to the instrument
of our redemption; but if it view of the crossht
be applied to Christ himself, then in means, as
it ought to mean, an act o. supreme alteration.
Sd. ToscOrship the images of Christ or the
Saints: the word is here again understood by
Catholics only of an inferior and relative respect
shown 10 images, in consideration of the re-
spect due to the objects which they represent,
and to which the respect, shewn to The images,
is referred. In this sense respect is shown to
the statue or thrown of the King, in consider
alton Of the majesty of the parsonage TO whom
they relate. An insult offered to his statue
would be considered as intended to be offered
to the king himself In this sense son re-
spects the image or picture Of his parent; pa
rent that of his child, friend that his friend;
not for any intrinsic virtue in the material sub
stance or work of art. but because it relates to,
and brings to his mind, the object of his respect
and affection.
To condemn this relative regard for images,
or pictures, would be TO condemn the feelings
of nature To charge the Catholics with idola-
try, because the term ,corShip, meaning only
inferior and relative regard, is found in the an
cent and modern liturgies of his church, is not
consistent with candour or charity
The charge that the Catholic church sanctions
the praying TO images, is calumny, and carries
with it an imputation Of stupidity too gross to
be noticed Catholics sometimes pray BEFORE
images, because they serve to collect their
thoughts, and fix their attentions in their medi-
tations and prayers; but they are not onthat &C
count TO be supposed 10 be so void of reason and
sense as to pray TO the image: for they know
that in it there is no virtue or power; and that
it can neither see, nor hear, nor help them.
Catholics do solicit the intercession Of angels
and saints reigning with Christ in heaven. But
in this, when done according 10 the principle
and spirit of the Catholic church, there is no.
thing of superstition, nothing which is not con-
sistent with true piety For the Catholic church
teaches her children not 10 pray TO the saints,
as to the authors and givers of divine grace but
only to solicit the saints in heaven to pray for
them, in the same sense as ST. Paul desired the
faithful to pray for him.
Catholics, according to the faith and pious
practice of the Catholic church from the age Of
the apostles, do pray for the release and eternal
rest Of departed souls, who may be detained
for time in state of punishment on account
of their sins, but in this we cannot discover e.
ven the shadow of superstition.
By invoking the intercession Of the saints in
heaven, and by praying for the suffering souls
in purgatory, Catholics exercise acts of that
communion Of charity which subsists between
the members. of the mystical body of Christ;
the principle of which communion they profess
to believe, when they say, believe in the no.
ly Catholic church, the communion Of saints
After this explanation and declaration, we
hope that our countrymen will never be so un-
just or so uncharitable as to charge the Catho-
lies with idolatry or superstition, nor be SO il
liberal as to attempt,o give colour to- those
injurious charges by fixing an exclusive mean
ing to terms, which, in the language of scrip
ture, christian antiquity, and common usage,
bear different senses in different circumstances.
SECTION Won the po,cer Of torgiving Sins, and
the prscept Of Confession.
The Catholic church is charged with impe-
ty, in usurpi,ag the pO,cer Of forgiving sins, and
with spiritual tyranny, in imposing on the peo-
pie The yoke Of confession.
The Catholic church cannot be charged with
impiety, for exercising powers given by Christ
10 his apostles s to their lawful successors; nor
with tyranny, in enforcing the observance Of the
precept of Christ
Catholics believe that Christ granted to his
Apostles, and to the Priests of his Church, pow
err to forgive sins, by The administration Of the
sacraments of baptism and penance, to those
who are duly disposed TO receive this grace
They believe that the sacrament of penance is
an institution Of Christ, no less than the sacra-
ment of baptism. The belief of both rests on
the same foundation.
In both these sacraments, sin is forgiven by
the ministry of man. Be Baptized, every one of
you, for the remission Of SINS, Acts, ii. So: ,chose
sins YOU SHALL FORGIVE, they are forgiven, John
Xxx. 3D. But no actual sin can be forgiven at
the mere will of any Pope, or any priest, or any
person whomsoeyer, without sincere sorrow
for having offended God, and firm resolution
to avoid future guilt, and to atone for past trans
gressions. Any person who receives absolution
without these necessary dispositions, tar from
obtaining the remission Of his sins, incurs the
additional guilt of hypocrisy and proclamation.
The obligation of sacramento confession to
a priest is not an imposition of the church, but
precept Of Christ. Without the voluntary
confession of the pentent, the power of iorgv-
ing or retaining sins, could not be exercised,
with discretion and judgment, by the minister
of the sacrament of penance. The confession
of sins could never have been introduced, had ii