The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-03-31

The "Catholic Federation" constitute
itself under the patronage of the Immaeu
late Conception Of the Most Blessed Virgin
Mary, and before beginning it's labors, +
will solicit the appreciation of the Hoiy
Father, and His Apostolic Benediction.
The Presbyterian and Catholic Citizens
In reply to the we'll deserved excoriatio1
which, in our last number, we administered
to the paper above named, it tries to avoid
in very characteristic manner, that is by
evasion, the stigma which we fastened
upon it. We charged it with say ing that
Catholics could not be good citizens and
proved that such an allegation was beneath
contempt. 1t gets ont Of the trouble now
so far as the Catholics Of this country are
concerned, by virtually replying that they
are not good Catholics and that its remarks
do not apply to them. # saysI
Our learned neighbors do not hesitate to ac-
| cuse us of injustice. towards the members of
| their communion. They make the mistake Of
| the contrary, we declare that we believe that
their patriotism will impel them to refuse to
| subject themselves to the despotisrr Of the
thsy viii to diVess % sH Of
national feeling, and accept the Pope's inGslli-
ty, as preliminary to pledge to do what
ever the Pope may think fit to order. We have
this opinion of the patriotism of the members
of the Roman Communion in this country.
First, we will say to this that the Catho-
lies of other countries are just as good
citizens as those in the United States ard
that Catholics have always been the most
faithful citizens or subjects in all countries.
Secondly, the Catholics of this counsry
accept the dogma of the Papal InfalliGility
as unhesitatiDgiy as is the case any wlisye'
else, that is to say, without shadow Of
doubt or dissent.
Thirdly, that it is q subterfuge to qualify
the acceptance Of this dogma, by adding
the words which the Presbyterian adds in
that connection in the paragraph quoted.
1t says 'ithey will pause before they will
accept the Pope's infallibility os a
preliminary to a pledge to do srhaterer tito
Pope n.ey think fit to order" If the Pope
is infallibie on certain points, it follows
that we may we'll pledge ourselves to do
whatever he proelaims to be right on those
points. Therefore, making such a pledge
10 simply reiterating our belief in the dog
ma and it is a mere subterfuge to say that
Catholics will pause before they accept the
dogma in the very sense which it cannot
but have. If, on the other hand, the Pes
byterian means that the Pope may think fit
to order something which does not come
within the province of his infallibility, it
would be impossible to~aceept the dogma
as basis OF e'preliminary" to any pledge
-. l.; :p hot
ence to him in such n case would not be
based upon the real dogma of InfalIibility
but upon ignorance and stupidity, and it
would be a mere dodge in the Presbyterian
to pretend that the Catholic Union has any
suc, idea.
Whether, therefore, these words added
by the Presbyterian do not mean anythihg
more than the dogma itself, CIR whether
they mean that it is, to be used as "pre-
to something that it does not in
any manner justify, it is equally subter-
fuge and pretense of meaning something
more than it really means. 1t simp!y
means in fact that American Catholics will
pause before they accept the Pope's infalli-
bility. That ia to say, they are not good
Catholics aud the Presbyterian's structures
do not apply to them. Happy fellows.
Bot though maneuvering awhile upon
this dilatory exception, the Presbyterian
cannot forego the opportunity of coming |
Dan issue on the merits of the case. 1t
makes n direct and vigorous attack on the
dogma itself of Infallibility-which is its
real cause of offense with the Papal Inter- |
as it calls the Catholic Union, and
indeed with the whole Catholic Church
Such attacks as this convince US that the
founders of the "Union" did well to give
such prominence to Papal 1nfallibility in
their constitution. 1t arouses at once all |
the virulence of heresy and brings to the
field the hatred and opposition which |
might have slumbered under the thunder
Of any other artillery. When the devil
roars we know that he is hurt. Says the
Presbyterian:
Our learned neighbors say: 1.-THE doctrine /
of Infallibility is nothing new. No Catholic
has ever doubted that this divine power was