The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-05-01

The thankfulness of our readers will, W.
are satisfied beforehand, be no less SINGER,
to us for giving, than our own pleasure wa
undlsgulsed for receiving, the ensuing ex
tract from leading European journal. L
ls taken from q letter addressed by on,
learned Bishop-elect to a prelate of thi
ecclesiastical province attending the ecu
menical Council of the Vatican. 1t wa,
published on the spur of the moment. ~
to speak; in moment of affectionate
and, we think, of timely indiscretion: II
Is meet that such protests should be uttered,
and none could be uttered in holder, man
iier tones than the following from Father, in
few hours to be Bishop, Perche. His
letter, once published, became public prop
erty, just as any other piece of property
once confiscated; and he cannot blame
US Tor asserting, therefore, our privilege as
free citizen in the Republic of Letters,
oy giving to our own people in their natal
language the vigorous act of faith of their
Chief Pastor, first given in print to their
Partisan brethren. Here is the extract:
NJ. am deeply astonished, Right. Rev.
bishop, but not, however, Surprised. at
what you tell me of the Council. The sad
ness OF the Holy Father can easily under
stand the dependence of the Bishops and
Catalnais, who constitute the great ma
Jo!Aey o. the Council, cannot even con-
ceive OF. One only contingency could ap-
prehend, that in which the Sovereign Pom
I'm, In the depth of his love for peace and
harmony, might be led to waive for the
present the question of infallibility, in
view OF the fierce opposition atrayed
a,gaihst 1t: Ii to me, the last of our
brethren, it were given to speak nv mind.
would say with all the energy of nv soul'
that the Sovereign Pontif must waive mo-
ching, must abate none of his prerogatives:
Tor the withdrawal of the question of In
Ialloiiity would, at this juncture, be a
stunning blow to true progress, veritable
retrogression, the results of which, to in
Vulnerable souls, would be disastrous and
irreparable. ''-"
With all good priests-with all good
Catholics, the decision of Papal Infallibility
is the principal business of the Council.
All other questions, how grave soever, are.
in, the eyes of the Catholic world, of merely
secondary interest. When the Fundamental
principle of authority is SO violently as
sailed, it becomes, to my mind, the inn
perative duty of the Church to affirm it with
more solemnity than ever by the definition
IL the 1nfallible authority of the represen-
'ative of Jesus Christ. This is the light in
yhlch all good Catholics view the Council. |
t the question of infa11fbftity is set aside, |
he enemies external and internal of the |
jhurch and the Holy See will achieve q |
and all Catholics, deserving the
lame, be disappointed and chagrined.
after all, you are the majority, and it
trikes me, Monseigneur, that with resolu-
ION and union, you can compel the vote.
know it is God who accomplishes all !; but
lnce he chooses men as His providential
gents, it behooves men to qualify them
elves for their sublime Office, that they
lay be not only humble and docile, but
kewise active and intelligent, instruments
his hands.n