The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-09-04
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER =. isss
>>--,>'>~>'>------'---
Lecture Of Archbishop Purcell on tho Eoumenical
Council.


Vatican. The peculiar relations OF his
Grace to that Council, and the frecdom
with which his name has been used in its
regard, render his views after the event OF
no small moment to many. We must say, |
that the report of the lecture seems to be
very inaccurate-for in no other way can
we reconcile statements bordering on blum
ders, and an incoherency of style not atall
characteristic of the Most Rev. Prelate.
But even with these allowances, the render
will find something to startle and surprise.
After some preliminary remarks, he said
You know there never was before
a single bishop from America in any such
Council. There was full and fair represen-
tation of all Christendon. In the fret
schema we we're called upon to discuss the
origin of governments, and also OF the
propagation Of religious and scientific truth.
am happy to say that never have the
rights of science been better indicated
than they were by the bishops OF that as
sembly, When an American bishop-who
was my own fellow student forty years ago,
now Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida, who
is a sound theologian, profound phlloso-
pher, and a chemist withal, who has taught
philosophy and chemistry in BALTIMORE
arose to speak, he addressed the Cardinals,
reproaching the Roman inquisition which
had done Injustice to Calico, and said !:
4.Yonr Roman congregation esteemed him as
teaching doctrine contrary to scripture
when he taught the doctrine of the revolu-
show that the bishops were free, that the
Pope left them their freedom, that the
Cardinals took this reprimand from the
hand of the bishop. He also assured
Spanish bishops there and showed them
what injury their predecessors IN their va
how n
we'll as to humanity and to science, If they
had pressed too far their unwise arguments
against the possibility of existence OF an
American part of the globe. on their theory
that there could not be any antlPodes:
From that absurd reasoning they concluded
that it was a wild, chimerical project which
Christopher Columbus proposed, and for
Srhich he had solicited the aid of Ferdinand
and Isabella. "Now 1 do not mention
this fact, he said, I" as any reproach to e1.
sing Cardinals OF the Sas
riohts. which should never be interfered
with. and that scientific men should pursue
their investigations with the largest hber-
ty. If they are disposed to reject Christi
anity. it should be said to them: Gentle
men, the Bible is true. Yon must not pre-
tend to find in science anything antagonls.
tic to what iscontained in the revelation OF
the Bible. When you think you have
done SO, it is your duty to submit 1t 10 me
decision of learned, wise men, 10 the
Church, and the Church will never ind
demned Galiles, the Pope never signed
that condemnation, and now that great
GOOD mans memory ia everywhere reha
6ilitated. SThe inQuisition Cardinals them
selves acknowledged that injustice wa.
done to that eminent scientific man, ant
this viii never be attempted again." An
other of your bishops wished science to en-
inv the same ample liberty as the Bishop
Of Pittsburg. He refused the representa-
tation that our Catholics of America art
not properly instructed for the reason tina
If thew were they would not deny Papa
Infaliibility. The bishop was opposed t.
the principle and definition of Infallibility
he strenuously and conscientiously Oppose
it; he Indignantly replied to the statemen
I have referred to by saying our America
ians: he was told to be cautious, but
think he uttered great truths. He did M
want to disparage Italians, but at the sam
time he would not consent to allow such
thing to be said of American Catholics, VIII
can saw with truth, are the best instruc
ed norton of the Catholic world. When
came NV turn to speak, l asked for lea'
and it was granted i intended to speak {
a subject that was then dominant and u
Dermost in the Council-the civil constit
ton of government; In tne course Vi W
or two, however, the entire order of pr
ceedings was changed. l was left out
fine cold. as were other bishops. A nc
series of topics were also presented to
But I wrote out my discourse on Cl
Government. l sent copy of 1t tot
archives of the Council. In that discoui
took occasion to show that ours is, as
believe, the best form of human Cover
ment; that the source of power is piac
by God in the people; that kings rule
their benefit, and that the people were
created for the benefit of kings. L
Church of God had no need of kingly !
tronage or protection. For the first
wears of her history she managed to pr
per and arrive at spiritual supremacy Wi
out the aid of kings and despite OF the'
while she was prosecuted she SO prosper
that the blood of martyrs has every wh'
been the seed of the Church. l believe
would have been a happy thing for
Church if kings had never pretended to
her protectors. / spoke then of Ameri
/ said that our civil constitution gave
feet liberty to every denomination
Christians that it looked with equal ia
on them ali, and that verify believed
was better for the Catholic religion thai
she was the object of the special patrons
and protection of the State. All we w
is a free field and no favor. Truth
mighty and will prevail. We are here
by side with every sect and denomlnatioi
Christians. 1t is for the people to Jul
which of us is right, which of us teaG
that which ia most conformable to the II