The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-13
An Apsstate "Triumvirate."



From tho Londen Tablet, Nov. sist
We, in common with the Protestant
Press of England, can only interpret the
letters of Lord Acton, Lord Camoys, and
Mr.. Henry Petre as an act of apostasy.
Deeply as we regret their conduct on their
own occount, We cannot affect to regret
that the Catholic Church should be purged
of those who had already in wardly aposta-
tieed and weIo not of her. Some of the
London and provincial papers profess to
be astoDished at the divisions thus exhibit
ted among Catholics. We, on the contrary,
see no sign of division. That three men
whose religious position has for years been
regarded with suspicion by their co-relig-
onists should at last openly declare them
selves, and go out from amongst them, far
from being a sign of division, is proof of
increased unity. Two of these persons arc
not known to have approached the Sacra-
ments for years. and one is said to be
Freemason. While two are shockingly
ill instructed in their religion, not knowing
even upon what basis of certainty it is
founded, the third Las been notorious from
his boyhood for cold pride of intellect,
which long since gave cause for grave anx-
eties to his friends as to his future
course. 1t was expected that some aposta-
cies would have followed il England upon
the PRONUNCIATION of the Vatican DEGREES;
they have taken place now under the cover
of Mr.. Gladestone's leadership. Were
half a. dozen others to follow this example,
and to make their submission to the world
in the columns of the Times, it would be q
cause of pain for their sake, but not of as
Constituent. The leading journal the other
day described the Protestant "triumvirate"
as consisting of Messrs. Gladstone, Whalley,
and Newdegate. 1t may now claim an Apos.
tate "triumvirate" and hang up the picture
% q pendant on the opposite wall. Nothing
Co. ruH hr,1t Init frN for
unhappy men, and to remember that Faith
is gift of God which may be forfeited by
abuse of grace aud by pride,. Our Bishops
will know how to deal with every case as
it arises but these unfortunate McD, ii we
are correct in our reading of their letters,
own public condemnation. We suejoin two
passases-the first, from the Bull Inefubihs,
defining the doctrine of the immaculate
Conception, and the accommodation In
Cured, ipso facto, by q denial of it the
second, from the Constitution "Psstor
Gternus" of the Vatican Council.
Wherefore, having never ceased in humility,
and in fasting to oGer Our own private pray
ers and the public prayers of the Church to
God the Father through His Son, that he
would vouchsafe to guido and strengthen Oar
understanding by tho power of the Holy Cost,
| having implored the assistance of the whole
Court of Heaven, and having in grooming be-
| sought the aid of the Spirit with HIS guidance
| for the praise and glory Of the Virgin Mother
| of God for the exaltation Of the Catholic faith
and the increase of the Christian Religion
by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, OF
the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by
Our own authority, we declare, pronounce
| and desire that the doctrine, which
holds that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in
the frat instant of her conception, was by a
| special} grace and privilege OF Almighty
God in consideration of the merits Of Jesus
Christ tho Saviour of mankisd5 preserved fres
l of or al he
vealed by God, and therefore must be believed
firmly and without faltering by all tae faithful
Wherefore, If any person should presume lma1
God avert it y to believe in their hearts other
! wise than hath been defined by Us, let then
know and be aware that condemned By theil
own act (proprio judicio oondemnItes')tA ey bavs
fallen away from the utility cf the Church
and therefore have, ipse Gacto rendered them
selves liable to the penalties fixed by law II
by word OF writing, OF by any cther s31efeA
means, they shall dare 10 mahiiesS Wig o0'''
of their heart.
The following is the definition and tht
anathema of the Vatican Council :'-
Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tra6f
t;ons received from the beginning of the Chris
tiau faith, for the glory of God our SaFioor' N
eXaltation of the Catholic Religion, and th
salvation of Christian people, the eacreo GeSn
dogma Divinely revealed that the EoUel
Pontiff when he speaks er catheazus that D
when in discharge of the office OF Fastor an.
o
i, nreme apostolic authority he dehnes a doeSEan
regarding faith OF morals to be held ~ IN
| nrornised to him in Blessed Peter, n possesses
Of that infaliibility with which the Dvin
: Redeemer willed that His Church shonia D
D endowed for defining doctrine regasding iait
0 or morala and that therefore such definition
of the Roman Pontiff are irreformabie OF then
s selves, and not from the consent Of the CHurol
=. But if any one (Which may God AVERT p:
enme 70 contradict this Our definition, Ses nh
4 | be anathemo.
y. ArRoTEsr OF ALLEGIANCE
a Some Jealous Catholics are proposing
II draw up profession of civil allegiance
!. be signed by the leading CathoiicS Oh u
is KINGDOM as an answer to Mr. Gladstone
g pamphlet. We venture to protest again
A. snch an undertaking. MIR. Gladstone q;
h no right to question our allegiance, and and
N has no right to an answer he mas oher;
al n rratuitous insult to the Catholic mi
1T lions of this Empire. He holds no omcl
position. no post of authority. lie is