The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-05

DR.. DoIIinger and the Papacy-A New
Era In Prospect for tho Catholic Re-
ligiou.
momentous crisis. The declaration Of Dol
linger may mark new era In the history Of
the Roman Catholic Church equal In impOr-
lance to that of Luther in the fifteenth CEN
fury. Already we see the grave solicitude Of
the head of the Roman Catholic Church and
his adherents plainly manifesting itself in the
strenuous endeavor to bring 'the erring
brother" back to his allegiance. Nor Is this
all. The Sovereign Of Bavaria has openly
encouraged and supported the D0llinger move
ment by prohibiting the publication Of the
dogma Of Papal infallibility upon the ground
that it presented great danger to the political
and social foundations Of the State" We
published last Sunday the address to the King
of Bavaria by the citizens in Munich repudiat-
ing the new doctrine 'as dangerous to tho
constitution of the State, because It makes the
bishops papal projects and passive instru-
ments Of . boundless Papal power" We now
give translation Of the reply of the Arch
bishop of Munich in his pastoral letter to the
clergy and the flock of his diocese. He does
not disguise his alarm at the preponderance
of the Dollinger party in Munich and its in
fuence with the King of Bavaria, and looks
upon the address of the citizens as a declara-
ton of war against the Catholic Church.
The movement has been inaugurated bya
man whom his high position in the Church
and his great learning have rendered famous
among the theologians Of Germany. How Is
the Pontif to act under the present circum-
stances? His Holiness cannot convoke an
other Council to reconsider the decision Of the
first. The thing would be quite out Of the
question. Such a step would deprive the
DEGREES of the Church of their moral and
spiritual influence and reduce the proceedings
of the late Council to solemn farce. Even
the admission of the possibility of such
concession would be fragrant contradiction
of the dogma of infallibility and destroy its
value at once. To the head Of the Roman
Catholic Church and his advisers there
remains no choice but to abide by the
declaration of infalliblity" and maintain it
at all hazards. Those bishops who opposed
this doctrine when before the Council, but
subsequently acquiesced in the vote of the
majority, will probably observe the same
course. Will, on the other hand, DR.. Dollinger
retract? From the past career of the man
his age, great learning, the holiness with
which he has expressed his opinions
we cannot but answer this question in the
negative. He has the unqualified support
of the King of Bavaria and the citizens of
Munich. The movement has already assumed
a formidable aspect and cannot be considered
mere secession of priests and professors.
Unlike the brilliant discourses of Father
Hyacinthe, which only made passing i'm
preston, D0llngers declaration has taken
firm root among the thinking masses OF
Germany. The opposition to the DEGREES Of
the Vatican has sprung up in country
renowned for faithful attachment to the
Roman Catholic Church. Whittier will this
controversy lead? Perhaps to an open
schism. 1t may give birth to a new religion
under the name of Reformed Catholic Church.
We forbear giving any opinion as to the merits
of the controversy on either side. We have
only to consider the momentous prospects
involved in the case.
Within the last five years mighty events
have unrolled themselves and crowded upon
each other with rapidity unparalleled by
any former period of history. It took
about half century for Professionalism
to establish and emancipate itself in
Europe. The war about paltry province
had seven years duration. Compare this
with the grand changes in our own time. The
war of 1866 between two mighty Powers fight
ing for the supremacy of Germany did in
reality only last about fortnight, while the
deadly duel between France and Germany was
settled in few months. May not the impend-
ing controversy, which portends great change
In the relations of the Catholic Church to tn
Pontif receive an equally rapid solution?
The present differences between the Church
aud the D1llinger party do not admit of any
concession on either side. The question is,
has the Ecumenical Council the right to de-
clare and carry out its DEGREES and dogma Of
Papal infalliblity? Yes or no. The question
cannot be evaded by any subterfuge. Either
Dollnger must recant or the Papacy annul
the proceedings of the Council. Neither
course is likely to be adopted, and thus the
breach may widen day by day and result in
the greatest event of our age and a new era
for The Christian religion.
CLOSING SCENES OF MRS. FAIRS TRIAL.
We give to-day an account of the closing
scenes in the trial of Mrs. Laura D. Fair for
the murder of A. P. Crittenden. At the
close of the argument the charge, which was
specially telegraphed to the HERALD, was de-
livered by the Judge in the most impressive
mannar Durinv all the last hours of the trial