The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-12-22

III
This is tho foupdstioh Of the prstsnaions Of
fallibls STANDARD Of religion and morality II
infaliible; and - We haze shown by the tes-
tfmouy OF Cardinal BeroDius, at one time for
moro than hundred years. even the immoral
iey OF that corrupt age, was out.tripped by tho
and crime, Of the Popes themselves. % Homi-
mes monstrosi. vita turpissimi, nsoribus per-
ditissimi, usqueluaque fDdissimin Baronius'
No matter for that" say tho infallibilists,
these arc the only safe guides to Heaven. But
1t. John, describing characters less vile than
Barcnins reports these Popee to have boon,
says: Rev. 2l:s "The unbelieving. and alb
ominable and murderers, and whoremongers,
and scorcerers and idolators, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burn
ond death" And Paul I, Cor 6, 9, drawing q
port ait of such charactcrs AZ Baronius de-
scribes, Gays. Know 70 not that the unright-
eous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God
Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor adul-
tsrers, nor abusers of themselves with man
kind. nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards
nor jewellers, nor s1tortioners shall inherit the
It is soch characters as these, men. whose
wickedness excludes them from the Kingdom
Of God, who are commended BY the infsllibil.
lists ms our best teachers of virtue, and safest
guides to Heaven. Aud the inference is, that
when these infailible shepherds have safely
conducted tho flock Of Christ to the Heavenly
gates, that they themselves will be righteously
banished to He'll, to receive the suitable re-
ward of their iniquity.
This doctrine is blasphemous doctrine.
There could be nothing said more dishonoring
to God, than that. he is truly represented by
men whose character must be so revolving and
hateful in His sight; that His chosen aud ap-
propriate nlediators with sinful men seeking
after pardon and holiness, are men who may
be joyously wallowing in the slums of licen-
can have no true sympathy with virtue, or
with those, who love it. It is not q doubtful
question. as to how God would be represented
if He had . representative on earth. Eigh-
teen centuries ago. there was to be seen
among men . true representative of God-one,
who to use the language used by our cotempo-
place Of our Heavenly Fsthsr.n And what
was the character Of this personage who truly
represented God . He was holy, harmless
indebted, and separate from Sinners" as saith
the inspired Apostle. Now when the shame
less monsters described by Baropius, claim to
be the successors of this divine parsonage, the
question at once presents itself-"W What fell
lowsbip hath Christ With Behalf"
This doctrine Of the Pspists ia an insult to
the human understanding. So far from being
an aid to morality and religion, nothing could
be more destructive Of both no man caa sue
eessfully advocate tho holy religion of Christ.
whose life is known to be opposed to its prin-
ciples. Such system would render it impos-
able to attain The otjectof religion, in purify
chez persuades men to believe that virtue is
better th2n vice, for il is evident that he does
not believe it himself. No liar convinces men
of the Obligation Of truth, for it 10 evident he
does not believe it himself. No thief will be
selected as q teacher of honesty, because it is
evident that he himself spurns it.
One result of moral aud religions teaching
by Immoral and irreligious men, is to make the
world believe them hypocrites; aud the other,
is to create the belief that religion itself is
mere priestcraft, and fraud. Or if on tho 9th
er hand, it is possible fer people to yield their
sarily lose all regard for religious principles,
initiate the example of their teachers, and en-
brace q superstition which lies down content
cd bedfeiiow with vice and faisehood.
The practical consequences of this doctrine
are of NO little importance. For if it be true
that the head of the Romish church must be
accepted as an infallible guide in morality and
religion though guilty of any sin or crime, the
principle must hold good of the other teachers
of that Church, namely, that it is not necessa-
~ TO be religious in order to be q safe guide in
religion, and that men who are addfcte6Fto
immortality. may justly claim and exercise the
Office of teachers of morality. Arc the peo-
pie of this country willing to trust the moral
and religious education of their families to
men who hold and advocate such principles
Are they willing that their sons and daughters
should be submitted to the control and tram
ing of teachers. who do not feel it necessary to
apologzefor immortality, but who claim it as
a prerogative
Beyond the 10 west possible depth of political
the dogma of infallibility points
to a Still lower depth.