The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-05-29
The Lazarist Fathers and the Dogma of
Infallibility.

sent, In an English dress, to our reader
1t is circular from the venerable and ven
= Grated Father Etienne, Superior General {
:. the Congregation Of tho Mission, and q
those angels in disguise, the Sisters 9
: Charity, to the priests Of his congregation
informing them Of the part he has taken il
the great question which at the present mo
: ment is agitating the Christian world. T.
anything connected with that agitation W,
q cannot be Indifferent; we have long sine,
q viewed the course pursued by some few o
a our American bishops with painful interest
and it is with no feeling of self gratulatior
81 we now see verified what we long ago pre-
4 dicted of them: that fnanceering and DO.
iltlcal craftsmanship are not the very best
qualifications in the world for the due per-
formance of episcopal functions For this
learning is required, but we look in vain
for learning in the ill-timed, sophomore
publications, or protests, of a couple of our
bishops. We hate to write in this fashion.
but our reverence for truth will admit of
our writing in no other. Could our feeble
voice reach those Most Reverend men be-
fore they return to their Sees, we should
respectfully submit to them, that their
authority and prestige with the focks the
Sovereign Pontiff has given them to feed
would be considerably enhanced, were it
only known that they had devoted a few
years to serious study at the Abbey of
Solesmes.
The complacent absurdity of their letters
Is really provoking; their views of history
and theology would be secuted by a theolo-
gian in his teens, while of their whole con-
duct, all that can be said is that it is stupen-
dously ridiculous. But the angels weep
at it, the Church grieves for it-souls NAV
suffer for it. Shame, deep, burning shame,
crlmsons our cheek when we think of this
humiliation brought on American Catholics.
Crafty is nondescript, though member of
the French Academy. Dupanloup, though
not profound, is brilliant. Dollinger is
learned though rather dull. What our re-
cusant bishops are, their printed letters
show; all we have to say is that never was
more tempting opportunity for holding
ones tongue afforded than the one thew
have with such righteousness missed.
Father Etienne, whose circular, with the
reply of the Holy Father, the spirit Of
which, the reader will at ouce perceive, has
animated the foregoing remarks, is no ordi-
nary man. In the earlier years of his priest
hood he fulfilled critical and not nnner;l.
GUS diplomatic mission since then be has
resided in the obscure faubourg of Sevres,
directing and controlling those agencies of
Christian love by which SO many souls are
saved; but that which is most extraordin-
airy about him is the humility in which he
hides endowments which others wonld
vainiy ape. Here is his circular; but OIL
the ropes reply we must say further.
that outside of a standard classic. we have
never read a piece of such neat Latinity:
PARIS, AprilI7, 1870.
Gentlemen and Dear Brethren:
The grace of oar Lord be NTH no .,.s.
You are aware of the agitation bv Which '
mems minds are at this moment perplexe11 G
ano Glv1oed concerning the prerooatiyes IF +
inc holy See. At such q crisis it were in
c9nsistent with my sense of duty to remain
in manner injurious to our conpreoat;on
kePt constantly In view the example of
os. vincent and my predecessors at periods ,
Hhen the Sovereign Pontiff had to defend
llmseH against attacks as violent as those q
,oM maoe on his apostolic authority. I C
| q
naae IL Imperative on me to raise nv voice.
md present to the Holy Father an autben, u
lc MANIFESTATION of the doctrines professea o
low by all the members of our Society. the t
anne as they have been handed down tn
Is from our Holy Founder, and reyerentiv
l1 rehglously guarded by his spiritual
hiioren. know your sentiments on This q
natter, and can vOuch for your fidelity in a
ollowlng the footsteps of your pmdeces-
ors. Gid not hesitate for one mdlnent to 81
eciare that you are all ready to stand nv r.
le In this conflict, to grapple with the adj. it
ersarles OF those doctrines, to proclaim as 7,
our motto the cherished formula 40 offen =
speated In our congregation Cathedral IN
ezra sI,, asque al morton conjunctissine. OF
Inc Sovereign Pontiff has benignantlv a,
onored this manifestation with an answar
OF less honorable for you than for me M
ne 9oyfal impression it has made on INV it,
cart wish you to share, and it ia with "
MS us view l communicate it to you. By -
'u, as well as by myself, it will be receivea III
favor and consolation from heaven OF
the love of our Lord 1 am, gentlemen ar
ID dear brethren, your most h9mble and
'So'eo servant, ET1ENNE, Sup. Gen. GO
Plus PIP. TX. -
loved Son, Health and Apostolic Beuediction: w.
The confession of truth is wont to shine St
lth clearer brilliancy the wider the error 81
posed to it has spread, and the more nm ne
erous and formidable tho adyersaries -.
We grown by whom it is assaiIed. Acs as
while aOnhisms ;n,ouk.J ce