Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-12-17
rHE EcuMEN1cAL COUNCIL.

EprroR GOLD HILL NEws:I have lately
read a good deal in the newspapers about
what is called the "Ecumenieal Council OF
Rome. Can you inform a constant reader OF
the News what it all means
A LAYNAN.
As far as We can, we will comply with
the reqGes. of our subscriber. The
Council assembled on the 9Th of Decem-
Der, instant, aud is known as the great
of tho Catholic Church in
Rome, the FIRST of its kind since that OF
Trent, which convened in December,
1915, and, by different prorogations,
was protrac,ed until 1868. At the pres
ent couvocation the prelates of every
civilized country in the world are rep
resentatives, excep. those OF Russia,
whom the Gear has prohibited from 60
ing and from ever unerilized worlds
the fathers of the faith, long parted
from their brethren in missionary fields,
have gone to the Council to assist in its
deliberations, and 10 mix once moro,
with the learned, cultured and refiaed
men Of the Church. The opening pageant
according o photographic dispatches from
therc,) was n of tho grandsst and
most imposing seen in Rome for over q
century. The leaders Of this faith,
whose derotees from the largest of the
Christian denominations, we'll under
s,aud how to render attractive occasions
like the present, aud all ceremonies,
music, decorations and outward show
of grandeur are lavishly employed to
give ecldt to the event. The Council in
itself will have grave questions to dis
cuss and determine, the most important,
and tho one fraught with tho greatest
difficulties, being the suggested dogma
of the Pops's infallibility. Upon this
subject the Church, that permits the
exercise Of no individual opinions after
an article Of faith has been declared to
DO a matter of belief, is not at present
united, and a large proportion of the
present Council are opposed 10 the
adoption of the dogma of infallibility.
There is, it is believed, no other quss-
ton likely to disturb tho harmony Of
the meeting, and it is thought by we'll
informed members of tho Church that
the issue will not be toe strongly
pressed if it is s%,renuouslJ contested by
the opposition.
1t cannot be denied that there is
everywhere, and especially in this
country, which sends oue.6th Of the
representatives to the Council, q desire
to see the opinions and practices Of the
Church liberalizsd and extended to a
great freedom in matters Of faith rather
than to a contraction of any existing
subjects of belief. Neither can it be
denied that among the able prelates
now assembled in Rome there il not
only a great diversity Of feeling rs re-
CARDS the necessity for carrying out
extreme views, but there is also q deter
mination on the part Of the more liberal
adhereuts to the Church 10 resist any
encroachments that would be likely to
infringe upon the advancing spirit Of
religious progression. The supposed
existence Of such strong elements of
opposition 10 the Council has hereto
fore led some OF the wsrmest friends of
the Church TO advise against its convo-
cation, bit other views have prevailed,
and the world that waits expectant on
its action will now have an opportunity
to know how far these s~uppositions are
true. On the other hand, there are
many who believe that the Church was
never internally so strong and united as
at present, and that the sessions Of the
Couucil will DO altogether harmonious,
and its adoption of tho new dogma Of
the EXTREMIST, unanimous. Which
party i, right a little time will deter
mine, bu, it seems unreasonable to sup
pose that the Roman Catholic Church
shoIld not, in some degree, advance
with tho natural progressive spirit Of
the age.