The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-17
THE PAPAL POLICY.
Fifth Letter to the Herald from
"A Roman Prelate.
The Syllabus Considered in Detail Eminent
Authorities Speak Out
The Syllabus Deserving Of Careful Study by
Theologians and by Those Who Are Not.
ROME, May 10, 1878

The0lOglanS and Dy THOSE VINO are MOL.
ROME, May 10, 1878
To rHE EDIroR THE HERALD
Has tho syllabus glided into the Church like thief
and robber tanquam fur ct latroS Must Il be con-
sldered false decretal in tho full light OF the nine
feenth century? do not venture SO decided an ap-
probation this though nnd IL formulated by an
eminent divine OF Northern Italy IN work which
appeared some time ago with the approval OF the
Archbishop OF Turin.
CONSULTING DISTINGUISHED AUTHORITY.
In my letter concerning the iniallibiy OF tho Pope
relied on authority OF jursconsults and thcoio
g,ans the Papal Court In the letter send you TO-
day the Sylabus-which created SO great stir In
she world, as # It were pontincal act or dogmatic
necision-I shall consult TOUR distinguished Catholics
resdng At Rome IT Is true, but well known, how
ever TOR their orthodoxy their devotion TO tho Holy
Soc The nrst, Mgr Fessler, is q German, is BISHOP
Of ST. Polten, In Austria, aud was Official
Secretary OF the Vatican Council In 1869
and 1870 Tho second is capoceatro, nm oratorian
from Naples who account OF his learning, became
famous throughout the Italian peninsula As third
witness on the importance OF tho Syllabus shall
consult the learned Northern Italian / mentioned
above. Ho belongs most respectable religious
community, Lazarist OF tie Order OF ST. Vincent
de Paul Finally shall consult Doctor Newman,
1avornOiy known IN England ana America bear well
In mind that these Jour distinguished writer's publicly
expressed their opinions the syllabus and without
contradiction IRON Rome When DR.. Newmans work
came out, uncompromisng people felt keeniy tho
blow II dealt their parodoxes l: Is said that the
Catholic episcopate OF Great Britain was sounocd on
the opportuneness OF papal manifesto regard this
work. Tho came back, ! appears that under
the crcumst anccs public opinion would Danish the
hierarchy from England On this account Rome gave
Or. Newman. We may learn by consulting these dis
tnguishcd Catholics Whether the Syllabus is OF any
docrinal importance whether IL Is considered
even as pontncal act
THE SYLLABUS WITHOUT PREFACE SIGNATURE.
Further I villa show that the sylasss rocsssed 70
legal PRONUNCIATION, not even having been published
In The official organ OF the Holy Sec Not only II
addressed 10 all tho faithful (sntvcrsis Chsti
fdebss IN the case Of every general constitution
but did not bear tho ordinary signature common
encyclicals, which shows these circulars addressed
to bishops The Syllabus appeared without preface or
signature
MGR. YKssLER. SECRETARY VATICAN COUNCIL.
Mgr Fessler Bishop OF ST. Pollen, In Austria, and
Secretary OF the Vatican Council Published short
time before hts death work whose conclusions rea-
tive 10 the Syllabus deserve mention. Hc expressly
says that tho form OF the SYLLABUS differs entirely
from that made use OF by the popes publishing their
ments to which the Syllabus refers 10 not contain
solemn precise deHnitions that the Syllabus has
Introduction conclusion significant Of the Popcs
intention In having this summary Of matter prepared.
Hero nrc the Bishops own words -"rhcre Is proof
shat the Syllabus with its eighty propositions, Is
doctrinal definition. This point Is as certain
IN the minds OF theoiogians people arc
iain to believe On tho contrary. respectable
in doubt this question. and the
A.-~ a.
which differs entirely from that used by the popes
In the solemn publication Of their doctrna decisions.
To be convinced Of this need but glance at the
bull OF Leo against Luthor. and at The famous bull.
Aucforem fdei OF Plus vi These and other similar
documents lay down in formal terms, at least In the
preface the conclusion, the intention OF the Pope
10 decide by his authority that such and such prop
ositions cannot BIO considered throughout the uni
versa Church rcconcilabIc with Catholic doctrine
and morals. Now, the propositions OF the Syllabus
ara Is true descriDed under the head. OF errors OF
our day-errors pointed out different times by tho
Holy Fatherbut it Is certain that many OF docu.
where this qualification Is found and where the
propositions OF tho syllabus have been precisely
stated, do not contain docrina poutncai definitions,
or, IN other words, solemn decisions. Because the
Pope through tho ministry OF hts Secretary Of State
sent the Syllabus TO all bishops, arc We, therefore,
10 understand that all definitions coming through this
dennitiopsf This Is a point on which great many
iheologians think doubt may BIO raised, until
such times the Holy Sec decision. Tho
syllabus has indeed neither Introduction nor
rIusion, by means OF which we may learn tho inteu-
ton OF the Pope. The bishops wore OF course in
formed in an authentic manner ny a letter OF tho
Cardinal Secretary Of State that the syllabus had
been complied aud sent to them by order OF the Holy
Father. The only reason however given for this
nh
tne Syllabus extracted might possibly not have
reached them. In the Encyciicai OF tho Stu OF Dcccm
Der, 1864, issued at the time the Syllabus,
there mention made, ~ IL true. OF how during his
pontncate the Holy Father often raised his voico
against the OF day, bat there is therein
mention made Of The syllabus III cssicr, "True and
False InfalhbiIity," p. 3i-35)
cArocELATRc's OPINION.
Cspocclstro, who is very highly esteemed in Italy,
published pamphlet In Florence expressing himself
on the syllabus pretty much In the style as
Mgr Fessler. The pamphlet is entitled, "Glsdstone
egl encii de Decret Vatican az. CcIlin, Flor
1871 The Syllabus was sent TO tho bishops,
and intended Tor the generality OF the faith
full therefore the faithful arc not bound by the docu
mcni, which 10 n In their regard Crpo-
cclatro pontcdy remarks THE syllabus was ad-
dressed simply to bishops, not to promuIgatc and ex
pIan 10 Catholics, but for tho solo purpose OF fac
tatng the task OF bishops and theolsgians In com
pairing for their and CONSULTATION rspai ency
Steals and the errors OF or day. r. 23) Before
the syllabus came into tho hands OF the bishops tho
newspapers had, as II were, announced u from the
bousctops, ana from this good deal Of srcp-
rcsentaiion. This shows the folly OF those who A.
tempted TO erect tho Syllabus into rulc Of iah for
Catholics against tho evident intention OF the Holy
Father, who hsd II drawn up Tor the use Of bishops
only. The syllabus, broadcast among those who know
nothing Of theological diaectic laws would simply
give rise to equivoca,ion and error
rHE MEANING OF THE WORD .'syLLABus."
Rtsums does not precisely and unsquivocnIly cx-
press what the Syllabus is, for this term would sig
Nifty summary or com cndium OF ideas and reasons
lard down by the Holy Father in the different docu-