Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-05-23
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The. QUESTION Of cathofio Allcgian oa.

Y 2
# In reply to q letter Of enquiry from M:
flames Lyons Of this city, the Rev. john
McGili, Bishop Of the Catholic Diocease
! Of Richmond, has written the following
letter deny ing the imputations against Bis
Church Of half allegiance 10 the State
Bishop McGill il a Kentuckian by birth
and family, atrue Southern man, scholar
and achristan, as eloquent and impressive
in the pulpit, as bei retiring, dignifei
ard devout IN his private walk and con-
versa'ion. Those who enjoy his personal
acquaintance are at q loss whether most to.
admire bis character az christian, or asa
gentleman and patriot.
RrcHmoND. Va April. 70, 1855.
Dear Sir:-The letter which you have
addressed TO me contains three questions,
to which you ask an answer. With view
10 publication - ~ IS, ss5ssss
! First Question. "Whrther The Catho.
Elics in Virginia do acknowledge anyfer1-
poral Allegiance to the Popei@ - = ss3
& Tothis, / answer that, unless there Be IN
Virginia some Italians who owe allegiance
to the Popeias a temporal Prince because.
they were born in his States, and are not.
snaturalizrd citizens Of this country, there
are no Catholics in Virginia who owssor
acknowledge sny temporal allegiance to
Second Question. "whs,hei If this
country Gould Be and was assailed and In :
vaded by the army Of The Pope (ifhs had
one, or by any other catholic power the
citizens this country, no matter " hers
born would not be eas much bound 10 de- I
fyno the Flag Of AnfericS. nor his dad
liberty, az any native born citizen should E
b,?'' 80 80 : : 6 = = = s.sA s = q
Answer: To me the ny pothesis ~ IN M IN. :.
vasion Of our country blythe Pope seems
an absurdity :ebut should he come with a., .
mics 10 establish temporal dominion hercsss
or should any other Catholic powes make
such an attempt, it is my conviction that
all Catholic citizens, no matter wbere born : T
who enjoy the benefits and franchises Of. {
the Constitution, would Be conscientiously !.
bound, like native born citizens. to defrpd
the flag, rights and liberties Of the repub.
lie, and repel such Invasion. afsg7sss& 8
Third Question "Whether the perfor.
nance of that duty would conflict with an
oath OF vow. or other Obligations Of tbs
CatholicH' - sssss - s. - 5sssssss s
Answer: Catholics reared 10 the churchs
az such. have not the custom OF. taking any
eaths or vows, except the b. ptismal VOWS
ito renounce the Devil, his xorks and
pomps." Persons converted TO faith, or
those receiving degrees in Theology. may
be required TO take the oath contained in
the creed or Plus ". obedience to the
Pope, which as far as know, ha, always
been understood and interpreted to siguily
a spiritual obedience 10 him AZ head Of the
Church, and obedience 10 him as temper
al prince. Bishops. on their -censecraison,
also take an oath which. in our country
is different from the old fam used il Eu.
rope. But none OF these EyoWs, oaths aud
no other obligation Of which Il am aware
ronficts with the duty sos eis1ssn OF the
United States to defend the sfag and libcr-.
lies Of his countrY.sgss >sss-vs.
In conclusion. elbow me TO state that n
we have no article Of filth teaching dat
The Pope, Of dixiBsgi eht. senjayy te mpessi.
power US head of fAk Churtk whejSseE
some theoloe,sn4 Writefs M have saj&
nihis point mrses Ike mi aswsss q =
ycst inquiries, bS@censideFxd ~ opipioya
lor whicL the writer's the!nselvss' only
can be held responsible. HIS Hox
- Yours, very truly, &c., e osazssis
esssJ. McGILL, Bishop Of Richmond,
oslsss To JAS LYONS, Eq. zH'r g a