The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-20
DIR. DOLLINGER.
TSsse Unfortunate TheolOgian Who Was
Excomln LnI ealeh by the Pope.

The Unfortunate ThcologiRn who Was
ExcomIau Iauntcated by the Pope.
Speaking of the Papal accommodation of
Dr. John Joseph Ignatus DoIlinger the most
influential theologian In Bavaria, aud one OF the
most eminent scholars OF the Catholic Church in
this age the New York EUeniHg Post says-
DR.. Dollinger is the author of many works
which have taken a high place ia theological
literature. As a writer upon ecclesiastical his
tory, he hes no superior in scholarship aBa accu-
racy. In all the controversies which have agi-
tated the Church in this generation, he has been
prominent as an advocate of liberal views, OF
education and freedom. He has also had
considerable influence in South German politics.
and has strenuously urged the separation OF
Church and State, aud the voluntary surrender
of the temporal power by the Pope. The Catho-
lie Church loses in him perhaps the most i'm
portant link that has connected IL with the
general movement of European thought; but
what DR.. Dollinger loses by the change we shall
not undertake ke to estimate.
Anticipated Consequences of His Excom-
mupication.
Previous to the decree of accommodation,
which has been pronounced against DR.. Dollin-
ger, the eminent Roman Catholic theoogiau,
the Bishop of Munich demanded that he should
give in his adhesion to the new dogma of Papal
Infallibility within ten days. DIR. Dollinger re-
piled to this formal request maintaining his
original position unchanged, and absolutely re-
fusing his adherence to the doctrine of infalli-
bility or, as he himself puts it, der Allgewalt
und Unfehlbarkeit," 'of the omnipotenee and
infallibility" of the Pope.
length Briefly summarized, these reasons are;
The new doctrines are inmcal to Scripture, as
interpreted by the Fathers, and TO the belief and
tradition of churchmen in all ages. The argu-
ments in their favor are principally derived
from forged ungenuine documents; and doc
trines precisely opposite were published by two
General Councils and several Popes in the ff-
teenth century. The new dogma Is altogether
incompatible with the Constitution of several
European States. especially with that of Bavaria
to which DR.. Dollinger, as member of the
Reichsrath, mas sworn allegiance. The reply
next deals with the question, Was the council
free This it decides positively in the NEGATIVES;
and it likewise brings forward several instances
to show gross ignorance of church history and
authorities on the part of the majority by
which the dogma was supported.
DR.. Dollinger then draws picture of the re-
suits which must follow from the principles OF
the Jesuits. through whom mainly this dogma
has been declared. The repressi2Mo of mems in
tellectual activity, and a temporal % less than a
spiritual terrorism, the Pope being by Jesuit
declared to have control over all kings as over
all bishops, are, according to the reply, the con-
sequences which must follow from fapal infal-
libilty. DR.. Dollinger asks that he should be
allowed to lay these considerations before the
Council of German Bishops which, 1t Is eX-
pected, will meet shortly at Fulda, or, that
being refused before the Archbishops chapter.
The reply thus concludes: -"As q Christian, as
\ a theologian, as historian, as citizen, can
net accept this doctrine. As Christian-for il
is irreconcilable with the spirit of the Gospel
and with the clear expressions of Christ and the
apostles; it will raise up that very kingdom oi
this world which Christ rejected, that dominion
over communions which Peter denied to all and
TO himself. AS theologian-for the whole
genuine literature of the Church stands opposed
to it. / cannot accept it as a historian-for al
such / know that the persistent endeavor tt
realize this theory of the dominion of the
world has cost streams of blood, has con-
fused and ruined whole countries, has shaker
the beautiful organic constitutional structure
of the more ancient Church, and has
produced, nourished, and maintained the worst
abuses in the Church. Finally, as a citizen,
must reject it, since by its claim that States
and monarchs, and all political organization
should be subjected to the Papal power, anC
through the exempt position demanded for tn,
clergy, it lays the foundation for endless ruinou
division between State and Church-betweeI
the clexgy and the laity. For this cannot con
eeal from myself that this doctrine, the result o
which was the destruction of the German em
pire, WILL in case il should become dominan
among the Catholic portion of the German
nation, immediately plant the germ of an in
durable decay in the new empire which has beer
, mat huiA NM