The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-27

new kingdom which has just been built up.
Accept, etc, l. Won DoLLNGEB.
Munich March 2S, 1871.
Pastoral Letter OF tho Archbishop of Mu-
mich to His Archdiocese In Answer to
DIR. DOllinger's Declaration Against the
InfaIlibiIity of the Pope Dr. Dollinger
Placed without the Pale OF the Church.
The following letter has been addressed by
the Archbishop of Munich to the priests and
flock of his diocese:-
Gregofius, by the grace of God and the
Holy Apostolic See, Archbishop of Munich,
Prelate of the Household and Councillor to
His Holiness, etc to the veGerable clergy
and archdiocese, salvation and blessing in the
Lord
DR.. Won Dollinger, Dean of the Chapter
and Professor Of Theology, addressed to us,
on March 20, declaration stating his posi-
tion to the 0lcumenical Council and its reso-
lutions, which he, at the same time, handed
to the Augsburg AUgemeiRe ZettURg for pub
lioation. 1t was accordingly published in the
extra supplement of said paper of March 81.
This open declaration compels us, the vener.
able clergy and the faithful of our arch
diocese, to publicly and emphatically draw
attention to the principal errors contained in
this deplorable document and to place its
author without the pale of the Roman
Catholic Church, in case he should persist
in those heresies The author demands,
First. That he should be permitted to
prove in an assembly of bishops and theolo-
| gists that the DEGREES of faith of the fourth
sitting of the Gcumenical Council were
neither contained in the Holy Scriptures, as
! understood by the fathers of the Church, nor
in tie writings handed down according to
their true history; that the latter have, in
fact, been falsifed by forged or mutilated
| documents, and that these same documents
are in fiagrant contradiction with the more
ancient ecclesiastical decision. But the author
has overlooked that there is no question be-
fore us which is yet to be decided, and
therefore carefully to be examined. The
question has already been decided. A
General Council, legally convened, volun-
tarily assembled and directed by the Head of
the Church, has, after careful examination,
explained, formulated and defined this arti-
Gle of faith. Every Catholic Christian knows
at present what the Church prescribes to be-
ieve. The Church which Jesus Christ has
promised to the end of the world cannot bid
US believe anything else than the revelation
of God Himself. Whoever, therefore, OPP
poses the declaration of the Church opposes
God. ''He who will not hear the Church let
him be unto thee as a heathen and publ
an."-Matthew xviii, II.
Second The author asserts that purely
| historical question was here only in the case,
which could solely be resolved by the same
means and rules as apply to the research of
any other historical fact. BY this means the
Church is placed under historical examina-
tion. The decisions of the Church are sub
mitted to the judgment of the last historical
writer, her diVinely ordained Office to instruct
is set aside and all the Catholic truths placed
under controversy. Let science take up the
Catholic teachings of faith and examine them
by all human means, and they will stand proof
against all contradiction Let the science of
infdelity revolt against God and His revela-
ton, against the Church and her DEGREES of
faith, il will never be able to shake the rock
upon which the Lord has built His Church.
Third. The author declares that the de-
crees of July 18, 1870, are in contradiction
with the Constitutions of European States,
but particularly with that of Bavaria; that
this article of belief has wrought the ruin Of
the old German Empire, and would, if pre-
vailing with the Roman Catholic portion OF
the German nation, plant the germs of Q
lingering and incurable malady into the Con-
stitution of the new German Empire. Against
this entirely erroneous theory and hateful
accusation we protest with loud voice and
declare it an unfounded charge against the
Catholic Church, her Head, her Bishops, and
all her members, who will never cease ''to
render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars,
and unto God the things that are Gods"
Dearest members of the diocese, the views
and judgments alleged in this document, OF
which We have only pointed out to you the
most notable ones, have since the convoca
tion of the Gcumenical Council been circu
lated in many books and newspapers; it mus
be confessed with sorrow that this document
has given the highest probability to the long
entertained sad supposition that the author o.
this declaration is the spiritual head of the
whole movement against the Gcumenica
Council which has caused so much confusion
in the minds and consciences of Christians
The equally numerous writings disprovine
this heresy found, alas! no ear with those cir
cles hostile to the Church. Now, however
the open opposition Of man, who has hith
erto deservedly filled high positions in the
Church and State, has given the matter the
aspect of formal revolt against the Catholic
Church.
Dear brethren, we are well conscious oi
our duties as chief pastor of the diocese. and
have, therefore, not delayed in addressing tC