The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-29
The Ecunienical Council aud the Stra,
sheep from the Mother Church.

sheep from the Mother Church.
Although it is long look forward to
| December, 1869, and although between then
and now there will necessarily be many
changes, some blasted hopes and not few
defeated purposes, the Ecumenical Council
convened for the 9th Of that month is already,
and not unnaturally, commanding large
amount OF attention. Ii was pious thought
which prompted the Holy Father TO invite to
the Council the representatives Of all sections
of the Church of Christ. 1t revealed, or
seemed to reveal, deep solcitude on his part
to see the scattered members of the flock
brought back within the fold. Zone fold and
one shepherd" has always been the favorite
ideal of the Papacy-an ideal which, for
tunately or unfortunately for mankind, it has
been found impossible for mary centuries to
body forth into living, tangible reality. 1t
IL, however, beautiful as well as Scriptural
ideal, and whoever shall succeed in giving it
practical shape without compromising the
liberties OF the individual will have earned his
daughters of men. An Ecumenical Council in
which the long divided forces OF Christendom
should have been fairly represented would
have marked new epoch in the history Of
the world. II was right and proper on
the part of Pho Mono to invite all the
strayed sheep back again to the fold.
| IL might not have been unwise on the part Of
the wanderers to accept the invitation. 1t
appears, however, from the prevailing senti-
ment of the outside Churches that such CON
summation is not yet to be considered on the
list Of early probabilities.
IL will be remembered b. our readers that
| shortly after the publication Of the Papal bull
| convoking general council invitations were
addressed to 'all Protestants and other non
Catholics, who were urged at the same time
to renounce their errors and resume connection
with the mother Church The phrase mon
Catholics clearly pointed to the Greek Church
II was so understood at the time by the 'ihir-
tcenth apostle" who is by the mercy OF God
Archbishop of Constantinoplc, the new Rome,
and Ecumenical Patriarch. II appears that
the Patriarch of Constantinople (who may DC
considered the Pope Of the Eastern Church,
an! lis suTrsgans have adisagreeable recollec-
lion Of an Encyclicsl addressed TO them in
1913 by the present occupant Of the Roman
See. BY that Encyclical, which sought TO in
duce them TO enter the fold OF the mother
Church. and which unfortunately ignored their
proper ecclesiastical titles. they considered
themselves insulted SO soon, therefore, az 4
became known to them through the public
press what was the character OF the invl
tation addressed TO them in reference
10 the approaching General Council at Rome
the Greek bishops met and came to the con
clusion that the invitation could not be
accepted, and indeed that it was couchcd IL
terms which could he regarded only as al
insult-an insult which was all the more
intolerable that It was repeated for the second
time. An unwelcome reception in conse
qicncc was gieen TO the Vicar Apostolic, who,
few days later, accompanied by four digni
taries of the Romsh Church, appeared before
the Patriarch and offered to present the docu.
ment on which was written the invitation o.
! tAs Holy Father. The document gould p2i b