The New York herald., 1870-06-12
Infallibillty and the Rival Parties IN the
Roman Council.

Roman NOuucaAs
For some weeks past we have not heard
much from Rome touching the dogma OF iniaii-
bility. Some days ago we did learn that
there was presumption that the discussion
would be ended and the dogma proclaimed
on the Goth of June, the day sacred to the
memory of st. Peters martyrdom. we 40
know for certain that the debate on the
Schema de Ecclesia, which includes the infali-
bilitv question, was commenced on the l4th
of May. The Constitute Dogmatica prinaa
do Ecclesia Christi consists OF four chap
ters-First, the institution of the Apostolic
Primacy in the person Of Blessed Peter; Sec
ond, the perpetuity Of the same in the Roman
Ponti1fs third, the force and meaning of the
Primacy fourth, the infallibility of the
Roman Pontiff Almost an entire month has
been consumed in the discussion of this
schema, but with what results is not yet fully
known to the outside world.
Most men who read this will admit that the
schema is logical But the question in which
mankind is most interested is not whether the
Roman CuriG and those who act with them
are acting logically, but whether they are act
ing wisely. 1t is the general opinion that If
the premises are granted the conclusion aimed
at will be logical enough nor arc there many
sensible men who doubt that the whole schema
will be triumphantly carried, and that on st.
Peters Day the cannon of st. Angelo will
thunder over Rome, announcing to all who
hear that that edifce of folly called the Papacy
has been crowned, and that for the first time
an infallible man sits in the chair OF st.
Peter. Should this be the result-and no one
who knows how affairs are being managed at
Rome doubts that i. will be the result-who
will have cause to complain? 1t really is no
affair of the outside world At all events it
is no affair in which the outside world have
any concern beyond that Of curiosity. Infal-
libility is question which vitality concerns no
section of humanity but that which is repre-
sented by the Catholic Church. II Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, takes fancy to hold a
special meeting, and If at that meeting it pro-
claims Henry Ward Beecher infallible, the
proceeding may amuse the world and
pTOtOho AuuHJ, uOWH-tohiAH ui VI
Gle from some Saturday reviewer or
afford text to some Disraeli to
moralize in another Lothair on the strange
questions of the day; but it will, after all, be
question seriously affecting Plymouth con-
gregation in general and Henry Ward Beecher
in particular, and nobody else. In like manner
is it that this infallibiity question concerns
only the Holy Father, Plus the Ninth, and the
Holy Catholic Church. 1t is their affair. We
have all made up our minds that an infallible
wise, happier or less happy, better or worse,
and that the Catholic Church has good right
to do in this matter as it likes. We have no
objection to an infallible Pope. On the con-
trary, we should like to see humanity in this
particular-we had almost said questionable
shape, and be allowed for one six months to
take note of his immaculate deeds.
AS, however, it is purely Catholic ques-
ton, it is not impertinent to look at it from
Catholic standpoint. What, then, do Catho-
lies say about it? One section Of Catholic
Christendom, the larger part, of course, goes
in for it strongly. On the 14th of May,
when the debate opened, French bishop,
by name Pie, argued as follows -
'The Pope must be infallible because
st. Peter was crucifed head downwards.
Thereby the head bore the whole weight of the
body. So the Pope, as the head, bears the
whole weight of the Church. But he is infalli-
BILE who bears, not he who is borne Not
bad logic. A Sicilian bishop, who followed on
the same side, was scarcely less interesting
''The Sicilians," said he, ''have very special
reason for believing in the infalibility of the
Pope. In our island ST. Peter preached the
Gospel. But there were converts already on
before of this peculiar doctrine. They sent a
deputation to the Virgin to ascertain whether
she had heard of it. Her reply was simple
and to the point. She had been present when
her Son bestowed the peculiar prerogative on
st. Peter We Sicilians have ever since pre-
served in our hearts the faith in Papal infalli-
bility;" and so, on the 14th day of May, 1870,
in the Council Hall of st. Peters,
did the debate proceed. So much in
favor of the dogma. Whether the anti
infallibilists have yet had hearing
we know not. We know, however, what
they think and what they say not only of the
dogma, but of the Council itself. A letter,
which originally appeared in the Journal des
De6ats, known to be from the pen of distin-
guished French bishop, openly declares that
''the minority in the Council, representing one
hundred million Catholics, is crushed under
the yoke of restrictive regulations )" that it is
hunted down by journals in the pay Of the
Curia;; that ''t is crushed by the weight OF
the supreme authority Of the Pope himself
and that even the majority-which is swelled by
large numbers Of Wears, apostolic and other
irresponsible persons, not to speak of the
Italian bishOps and those of the Roman