The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-02-27
Papal Infallibility.
Editors Morning Star and Catholic Messou ger:

CHANGING over the varions opinions, asser-
tiOns, distorted fears and fabulous inventions
that have grown out of the probable action of
the present Gcnmenical Council upon the
question Of Papnl Infallibility, leads those who
are given to looking beyond the mere surface
froth of leading events to lift the veil of tho
buried past, to see in how far all this excite
ment is justified by ecclesiastical antccedent.
We're it the movement of some political party,
bent. upon the REIMBURSEMENT of principles or
institutions Of which it was weary, or which
had served the purpose, of the period that in
augurated it, there might be some reason, Mt
least among Protestant sects, for the idle con-
lectures and Machiavelian warnings that have
followe1 the agitation Of this question.
in this as In ali other great national or eccles-
astical events, only finds history repeating it
self, one may really be amazed at the waste of
TO the Catholic the question is simply one Of
wisdom, growing out of the necessities of the
dge. It is not new picture, the design and
execution of which are but now conceived,
but one which sprang into life out of the en-
beers of Pagan Rome, the character and colors
of which being somewhat dimmed by the pes
tfientia1 vapOrs of demora1izcd centuries, re-
to revive and stamp with undying lustre the
glory of its primitive power and beauty.
Those writer's who spend their time and
labor in classifying history on this point, do but
Lay themselves open to subsequent condemna-
tion, for the earnest seeker after truth will
sooner or later discover the aninus of such
efforts. Among the recent and widely-read
commentators upon the subject, il the GORE
spondent of the New York Tribune In his let
ter Of the LIST instant he undertakes, for the
benefit of his readers, to review the whole
question of infallibility from its rise, and in SO
doing, gives precious melange of falsehoods,
which he has the impudence to pass Off as his
torical facts. To attempt at this late day, as
he does, to refnte the fact of Papal Infallbility
in matters of faith, can only be the effort of an
ignorant or q shallow mind, who takes his key
note from the Radical standpoint
The more liberal and enlightened admit the
fact without q reservation, and are content to
await whatever new light may be thrown upon
the subject. The objection now prevailing is
not against the old fact of the Pope's dictnm,
but against the old-established opinion being
raised from its present status into the dignity
and solemnity of o defined dogma. Many Ca
thoiics-and good ones, too-would prefer the
question to remain in the cradle wherein il has
slumbered for eighteen centuries. But which
ever phase the subject may take, the true chill
dren of the Church will be prepared to accept.
They know that the spirit of wisdom alone will
direct the decision For them, the "Lo, am
the world" is the fiat which places q bound
upon all fear and doubt.
1t is not the first time that the infidel Dor
tion of the world has quaked under the thun-
der which they imagine lies sleeping in the
portent of Papal Infallibility. Ages ago, de-
spite of all opposition, denunciation, and the
strong arm of an empires legions, the right and
coded in his authorized sovereignty over the
spiritual domain of the world. What claim.
by the weight of years or deeds can outrank
or even stand by the might of "Thou art
Peter r. Without this signet, what would
have held the Church together against the con-
vufsive throes of the decaying Roman Empire:
against the fearful, persistent persecution of
the carly Christians for three hundred wears
When the fall did come, the only remnant of
the old power and dignity of Imperial Rome
that survived the general ruin, was the Church.
In her the new races of Cloths, Franks and
Germans saw, says Darras, "an independent
society, which had neither shared the over
throw of the Roman Empire, or been crushed
by its fall. The influence of the Christian
religion was therefore increased by this great
political event, and the Bishops found them
selves naturally at the head of o new world
which they controlled by the superiority of a
hierarchy which has proved stronger than all
Empire" '
In the early Councils of the Church the
supremacy of st. Peters successors was clearly
denned whenever the question of final arbitra-
ment was raised. One of the earliest Gthoupb
not the hrst) which occurs to mind Mt this mo-
meht, grew ont or the great ecclesiastical de-
bate regarding the time of the Easter ceiebra.
tion. This question had been subject of dis
cuSsion between the Eastern and Western
Churches for half a century, and Pope Anicle-
tns Tor the sake of pence, had by tacit consent
allowed the Asiatic Bishops to hold tn HI.
ancient custom of celebrating it ON the ann
day as the Jewish Pasch As the subject how.
ever, was made by these Bishops a question al
doctrine, rather than one ST discipline (Which
as such, might have remained unmolestcd !
tope et Victor, in A. ID. 1S6, thought the time
9au come to settle the matter beyond further
Ioup.. accordingly he called Council of all
one Satnonc bishops and submitted his views
70 shem IN favor of the celebration of the festi-
t nai on sunday, which was consecrated from
tfSe time OF the Apostles to the memory of onr
rTyI.rZ <