Nebraska advertiser., 1870-02-24
THE ROMAN COUNCIL.
The Protest Against the Dogma Of
In~fauEbilitys

The following is a translation Of the
second document issued by the most
eminent prelates of Germany and
Hungary:
TRANSLATION.
Most Holg Fdther-A printed docu-
ment has reached us wherein is set
fourth for subscription by the Fathers
of the Council a petition begging the
Ecumenical Synod to decree that the
authority of the Roman POntif is SUI
preme, and therefore free from error,
when, in virtue of his Apostolic pow
er, he speaks to all the faithful on
matters of faith and morals. 1t is GER
tainly wonderful that the judges OF
faith should be invited to put fourth
a declaration, signed by their Own
hands, as to their decision before even
the subject has been discussed. But,
in so grave q matter, we have decided
to appeal to yourself, Most Holy
Father, because being appointed by
the Lord to tend his sheep and lambs,
sou have at heart the care of the souls
redeemed by the blood of Christ, and
commiserate with paternal affection
the evils by which they are threaten
tus 4 llC LILIES 4QNC SOaAO ~ N
Catholics were won't to call in ques-
ton the rights of the Apostolic See.
There is no one who denies that, as
the body is incomplete without the
head, so it is impossible to hold a
Council representing the universal
Church without the successor of st.
Peter; while all obey the commands
of the Holy See most readily. Be
sides which the Council of Trent
decreed what was to be held by the
faithful concerning the authority of
the Roman POntiff; as also did the
Council of Florence, whose decree on
this matter should be in everything
the more sacredly observed because it
was affirmed by the concent of the
Latin and Greek Churches; and will
form the basis for the restoration of
the union if the Lord should design
to turn his merciful eye towards the
East, nOw oppressed by so many evils.
Moreover, as at the present day the
Church has sustained a new and
hitherto unheard-Of struggle with
those who rise up against religion as
though it were u continuance for the
destruction of the human race, it APP
pears by no means advisable to impose
upon the Catholic world, tempted on
every side by so many snares, burdens
heavier than those imposed by the
Fathers af Trent. For the rest, al
though, with the universal Church,
Bellarmine declared that definitions
of faith depend chiefly from Apostol-
ic tradition and the consent of the
Churches and although a General
Council is the shortest way for acer-
tanning the opinion of the universal
Church, yet at the well-known Coun.
Gil held at Jerusalem by the Apostles
and Elders, and down to the Council
of Nic@a, innumerable errors of vari.
Ons Churches were expelled and des-
trOyed by the decisions of the sncces-
sor Of st. Peter, approved by the con-
sent of the universal Church. It is
indubitable that all Christ's faithful
owe true obedience to the DEGREES of
the Apostolic See; moreover learned
and piOus men teach that whatever
the Sovereign POntiff, speaking &c
DEGREES concerning faith
and morals, is binding, even without
the consent of the Churches in any
way declared. Still we cannot pass
over in silence to the fact that there
are grave difficulties arising out of the
and acts of the Fathers of the
Church, and from genuine historical
documents and the teachings of the
Church itself; and unless these are
entirely solved, the doctrine COM
mended to the Christian people in
above mentioned petition, as revealed
by God cannot be proposed. But our
mind recOils from discussing these
matters, and we rely upon good will
in asking that the necessity for such
a discussion may not be imposed upon
Besides, exercising our episcopal
functions over some of the chief Cath
Ollie nations, we know from daily eX-
perience the state of affairs among
them. We are convinced that the
demanded would furnish
new arms to the enemies of religion
for stirring up discOrd in the Catholic
world, eel among men of the great
est distinction (; and we are certain
that in EurOpe-at least to the Gov
ernmel Is of our nations-it would af-
ford q cause for invading the remain
ing rights of the Church.
We lay these things before your
Holiness with the sincerity which is
due to the common Father Of faithful,
implOring that by your order the doc
trine, the sanction Of which is de-
handed, may not be brought before
the GcumeDical Council for discus
Finally, we PROSTATE ourselves at
your feet, and beg your apostolic bles-
sing for ourselves and for those whose
spiritual welfare is committed to our
We are the most humble, Obedient
and devoted servants of your Holt
ness.
Signed-The Archbishops of Prague,
Sienna, Olmutz, Bamherg, Munich,
.alOczs, Cologne, Salzburg; the
Bishops of Breslau, HildCsheim,
Trieves, Osnabruck, Mayence, Rot
,enburg, Augsburg, st. Gall, Lavant,
3urk, Trieste, Budweis, Funfkirchen,
Trosswardein, Djakovar, Temesvar,
TarnOw, Parewz, Gorilla,
.assovia, Crisio, Laibach, Raab,
L~eontopolis, Pennsylvania, the Alb
bots of Prague, StrabOw, Martins
burg, &C., &c.
nrr NEDD AcUA CtTTV T,EvEE I'm