The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-28
Rome and the Bible.

/ 10 WHICH reference mas already been made,
appear the following words in reference
to the Roman Catholic Church, "Her
enemies say that she will not let her chill
dren read the word of God, but though
often repeated the charge is utterly false.
1t Is but one of the many lies constantly
circulated against the Church, of which
If even one-half were true, Catholics
would be the worst set of people in the
world. But they are false Any one
who chooses can test the falseness of the
assertion that the Church forbids the
Bible to the people, In any Catholic
bookstore, the Bible can be procured by
any. one in the vulgar tongues, in many
various editions, published and spread
abroad with the appreciation of the Pope
and bishops. Every Catholic family is
expected to have the Bible, and its read
ing is strongly advised Yet. notwith-
standing these potent facts the old SLAM
der Is daily repeated and often by per-
sons who could know better if they would +"
The statement on my part eighteen
months ago that the Church of Rome pro
hibited the free use of the Bible to the
laity, drew forth from Bishop Keane
statement in the Looer-Appeat somewhat
similar to the above and though in re-
ply | gave through the same journal the
evidence upon which I based the charge
| heard nothing further from him until
being now in the neighborhood of Peters
burg, and addressing an audience in large
measure of Petersburg people, he refers
to the subject again, only to indulge in
charges of lies, " SANDERS daily repeat
ed, etc. Now I do not propose to handy
epithets of this kind Iha1e never been
able to see that there is much argument
IN them. But repeat my assertion that
the Church of Rome prohibits the free
use of the Bible by the laity and I bring
the proof
l. The Council Of Trent the last Ecu
menical Council save one (the Vatican)
OF the Church of Rome, placed the Bible
In the vulgar tongues on the list of pro
hibited books. This act being passed bv
an Ecumenical Council and approved by
the Pope, became the supreme law of the
Church, binding on all Catholics every
where throughout the world, and not
having been repealed in so far as I know.
by the Vatican Council, the only one
having similar jurisdiction, it continues
to be the law of the Church and the
Bible, IN the common language of the peo-
pie is, to-day, by law forbidden except
under specified conditions TO the common
people. What those conditions are. will
appear from the following quotation of the
language Of the Prohibiting Act. (Canons
and DEGREES Of Council of Trent Tauch-
nltz Authorized Edition, Rule III D. $50. J
lnasmuch as it is manifest from expe-
rlence, that if the Holy Bible translated
into the vulgar tongue be indiscriminate-
ly allowed to every one, the temerity of
men Will cause more evil than good, it is
on this point referred to the Bishops or
lnquisitors, who may, by the advice of
the Priest or Confessor, permit the read
ing OF the Bible translated into the vul-
gar tongue by Catholic authors, to those
persons whose faith and piety they appre-
bend will be augmented and not injured
thereby, and this permission they must
have In writing. But if any one shall
have the presumption to read or posses
1t without such written permission, he
shall not receive absolution until he have
first delivered up such Bible to the ordin-
ary. booksellers who shall sell or other
wise dispose of Bibles in the vulgar
tongue to any person not having such
written permission shall forfeit the value
OF the books to be applied by the Bishop
to some pious use; and be subjected by
the Bishop to such other penalties as the
Bishop shall judge proper, according to
the quality Of the ofense. But regulars
shall neither read nor purchase such
Bibles without special license from
their superiors Notice now that bv
this law, no Catholic layman has right
to buy Bible, even translation by
Catholic authors, without permission Of
his Bishop or Inquisitor, and this per-
mission may be given or withheld by the
Bishop at his pleasure, and the man who
has 1t must have it IN wrjtiaq. IF want
a Bible then, l must apply to Bishop.
las, thank heaven, we have no Inquisitors
IN this country YETI If he thinks my
plety will be promoted by it he gives me
a written permission to use the Bible.
Then l can go to bookseller and buv
one. If he refuses, l cannot buy one
without forfeiting my right to absolution
and subJecting the bookseller to the for
telture Of the value of the books and such
other penalties as the Bishop may inAict
upon him. Is this what you call the free
use Of the word of God. You NAV saw
the law is not enforced Bishop Keane