The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-25
ST. PETERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Catholic Church the Champion of True
Liberty and Frcedom-SermOn by the Rev.
Father FransiOli.
There was large congregation In attendance at
the principal service held at st. Peters Roman
Catholic church, Hicks street, South Brooklyn, yes.
terday morning Mass was celebrated by the curate
Rev. Father Murphy, and the excellent choir at
rached to the church acquitted itself most credlta
bly,. the Rev. Father Fransloli pastor Of the flock,
Oficiated in the pulpit and delivered an admirable
and Instructive discourse in defence Of the Catholic
Church as the champion OF freedom aud all that is
conducive to the well-Deing OF mankind. The
worthy pastor read the Gospel for the day
Matthew XIII, 35-48-"At that time the Pharisees
came to Jesus, and one OF them, doctor Of law,
asked Him, tempting them, Master, which is the
great commandment of the lawf Jesus SAID to him,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy Cod with thy whole
heart and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole
mind. This is the greatest ana the first command
ment. And the second Is like to this: Thou shalt
love thy ne1ghb0r as myself" In sub
stance the speaker then said that to-day the Church
established by Christ on earth-lhe Holy Roman
Catholic Church-cOmmemOrated festival OF spe.
clal devotion to tile blessed Virgin Mother, Our
Lady Of Mercy-the anniversary Of organization,
or ASSOCIATION, for the emancipation Of slavery
among Christians, instituted 700 years ago. The
CasiOn was one which enabled him to rerute the
false and base accusations which are so continually
made by those outside the pale OF Catholcity-that
the Church Is opposed to free Institutions. The
assertion that the Catholic Church is adverse to
liberty is contradlcted by the spirit and action of
the Church in all ages and under every circum-
stance.
To become familiar with the doctrines and teach
ngs OF our religion Is to grow more closely allied 10
her holy institutions and 70 prove 10 the sa!isac
slrucuon that she ID the true friend OF mankind as
well as
TIL Ed
1t advocates an equal enlightenment and an equal
share OF rights for all men, irrespective OF station In
the world. The Church Church was Instituted by God him
self to instruct In school as 1t were, and TO per
petuate the best works Of man for our mutual en-
1iantenmeni Behold the charity OF Goa when lie
declares there are no slaves no servants; we are all
may "love and serve Him IN this life. and be happy
with Him forever IN the next" He has said,
IF YOU KEEP MY WORD YOU SHALL BE FREE.n
A distinction OF classes only a diffusion of
words and cannot tend TO enforcement OF the prin-
men; ali are alike in His sight lie was born, sui.
1ered, died and arose again triumphant over death,
paid our Lord and Master he USarcS
then, Is to perpeiuate HIS doctrines and continue
the work OF redemplion OF mankind begun by Him
BILE that The divine institution can depart from light
winch s ever shining for ALL We should he united,
then, love ana IN Kindness, prove that In
theory and IN iact we may be worthy OF membership
OF the Catholic Church. The Church cannot be In
pie. Her dspensaion OF the sacraments are Tor the
REMISSION OF THE SLAVERY OF SIN.
The very first application OF her spirit, IL Is thus
shown, Is against the passions, which otherwise
dOmneer and tyrannlze over the SOUL Establish free
dom from sin, through the divine grace and equal
rights honor and justice follow in the tram. Her
mission IS to denOunce every act OF aggression
against these rlghs-against sin. But her MISSION
Is not confined TO the slavery OF SIN, although Is
the first war in the progress Of sanctiiied freedom.
she requires obedience to the lawful authorities,
without which we would have discord and anarchy
The society OF the dolly Trinity, organized by
holy men in Rome seven hundred years ago,
for freeing by ransom Christian slaves from the
Saracens, show the opposition OF the Church to
slavery aud bondage to high Degree as IL has for
seven centuries handed down In Its onces a special
other historical incidents testying to the great and
earnest efforts OF the Church IN the cause of free
dom and progress IN every age were cited by the
pastor, who WAS listened 10 win marked attention
throughout These, he remarked, were facts and
being such, formed most conclusive refutatlon or
the calumnles against the
NOBLE WORK OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TIE
CAUSE OF LIBERTY.
witness the work Of the missionaries among the
Pagans and savaXes. Are they not abOring To diff.
fuse knowledge and freedom among these untufored
creatures Of their Divine MASTER How, then, III
view OF this great array OF evidence handed down
through all Christian ages can any person possessed
Of common sense come out and traduce the Catholic
Church ON this fooungl We accept the spirit and
teachings OF Jesus Christ sufficient evidence of
the true guide Tor the well being OF mankind. In
conclusion the reverend speaker urged his flock to
love God above all things and love our neighbor
as ourselves TO show our earnestncss In Keeping
these commandments then, must be honest
truthful and charitabe toward our neighbor that
we may fulfil our mission here on EARTH and as chill
works which viii edlfy those who now traduce our
molly church.