Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-07-20
Papal Iniallibility.

II Is not a little singular coincidence that
the declaration Of the infalibiity of the Bo-
man pontifex Maximus should be cotempo-
rancous with declaration Of war by the
strongest Catholic Government Of the conti-
ncnt Of Europe, against the strongest Pro-
tostaut nation Of the same continent. We are
not specially given to superstition, nor to
seeking signs and wonders, but the coinci-
dencc Of the two events is certainly noticca-
BILE and appropriate. The declaration Of such
dogma should be amid scenic display. nm.
like those which attend the ordinary events
of history. The sounds and portcnts Of uni
ycrsal strife are its fitting accompanimcnts.
The inlallibility dogma was passed on the
18th inst, by vote of $50 to -. 1t is too
soon to estimate its influence aud effects
There will be Of course no perceptibe or sud
den agitations in the current Of ecclesiastical
affairs, either in or ont Of the church. Prac.
tically, the dogma has been in existence for
many years The Pope has had an absolutely
potential Will in all the affairs of the church
for long period But now a solemn con-
claye Of the church has pronounced it and
we shall read it. results as the years run
along. The present Pope will not change
his general course or convictions, and we need
look for no special movements Of the papacy
under the influence Of this dogma, while he
lives His successor will let us have more
light upon its meaning If this declaration
actually accomplished the fact aud rendered the
Roman Pontif infalible, and put him inplaco
ofGodin all matters Of faith aud practice, we
could conceive Of no greater boon to our race
than the appearance among US of one who
could teach us the truth without error. II
would supcrsoie much study, thought and la
Dor; vast and almost infinite responsibility
to refer every question, doubt and solioitudo
to niniallibe teacher and guide. We might
give up the use Of our own reasons, inquisi
ton into truth, labored investigation of sup
posed sources Of authority, the teachings Of
conscience and the records Of inspiration, ant
reach a correct knowledge upon all things
visible and invisible, at first hand and by tn,
shortest possible method The Pope would
be better than the Delphic oracle, better thar
the Koran, better than the Bible, better than
Christ for we could at any time appeal t.
him and learn, on all things the absout,
truth. What questions might be set at res
/ by the utterances Of an infalible teacher =
With what quiet and tranquility we might
repose on the dicto Of the vicaro Of God On,
advantage would he that we should Away,
have him somewhere on the earth, and an APP
peal to him could be made directly and al
any time, and receive an authentic response
This would simplify our method Of reaching
truth, aud put US beyond the need of any
search for ourselves
But if the Pope is not in matter Of fact, in
iallible, and if he cannot be made so by de
cree of council; if inialibiity cannot belong
to any man, or be relocated to any man, ther
Of course it will be so much the worse ioi
those who believe in him They would b,
likely to be trpped up sometime, in the fol.
lowing as authority what proves to be no au
thority at ALL So far as this decree binds the
letters Of absolute authority ON the souls Of
menit is to be deplored. 1t can only result il
their more utter servitude when the serviudC
was sufficiently rigorous before.
As to its political effects, it is too early tc
judge with certainty. 1t has long seemed to
us that it would develop hostility to the TEN.
poral power Of the Pope in Catholic countries,
and that it would terminate his secusiou
supremacy. Still their end may not come
without revolution, and the war which is now
opening on the continent may draw into it.
whirlpool this stupendous ecclesiasm and crush
out its vitality. 1t may be that the assump
ton of infdlibility is the precursor Of the fall
Of the Papacy If should induce Napoleon
to withdraw the French troops from Rome
or ifhe should do it under the pressure o
his own necessities, the days of the Papacy a.
political institution will obviously draw t,
a close. One of the first results of the wal
may be the occupation of Rome by the force
of Victor Emanual, aud the civil deposition o
the inlallible Pontiff