The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-06
Bishop Chatard and the Hucuenot Massacre.

Bishop Chatard and the HuGuenOt Massacre
20 the Edlror of the indianapolis Journal:
This mornings Journal contains a communi-
cation, signed 'H. L. Stetson,' commenting ON
my replies to your reporter, published by your
paper on Nov. 8. The writer puts into my mouth
words did not use. I did not speak of prot
estant les l am not in tho habit of using
such language. and 1 am sure your reporter win
bear me out in this denial. When a writer al
lows himself to treat his opponent in this man
ner he certainly lays himself open to the charge
that his animus is not the calm and judicial one
that should be brought to the discussion of q
grave matter.
He is to be excused for not knowing much
about Lord Acton. For several years after tho
Vatican council that nobleman was as pro-
nounced an enemy of the Catholic Church, and
ranks of the "Old Catholics" l would not ac-
cept anything he wrote then without very care
full critical examination.
AS for the matter in question. / quoted and
gave my authorities. especially Murets words to
the Pope. There is the gist of the whole affair
the escape of the king from a plot against
his life. which necessitated recourse to violence
and bloodshed. We know now that Catharine
de Medlci is the one to whose door the whole
blame is to be laid. All historical ume
paintings, ETC., are based on the false impression
produced in the mind of the Pope. am not GO
ing to follow the writer in his charges Of perse-
cution. l will only note one remark: Protest
ants NOW emphasis ours) hold, and have so held
for some time, that all persecution is from the
devil"etc. T~hisimplies that there was time when
they did not so hold. Yet they held that private
Judgment was a sacred right. In any pro-
ceedings against those who did not be-
lieve, Catholics could not be accused of
such inconsistency; for they held that there can
be no such thing as private judgment" once q
man believed that God was speaking, as Catho-
lies teach He does, through the church. Ii
should be remembered that Catholics apostatiz-
ing from the faith occupy a very different ground
from Protestants Of the present day. The
former were guilty of a crime against God
and Of scandal to their neighbor. The latter
are in good faith, and of these the Pope. in his
recent encyclical, says that ''the church
is wont to see that no one be com.
PEELED to embrace the Catholic faith against
his WILL" quoting the words of st. Augustine:
No one can believe except he will to do so.1
The writer. evidencing study and examination
OF documents for which he deserves credit, goes
into the history of the celebrated medal. At
this present moment have not at hand such
works as he refers to, or l could wish to consult.
If l find anything of interest l promise to put it
at the disposal of the Journal. In the mean
time, 1 simply remark that even if anything
stronger than has been cited were to be discov-
cred, its meaning is to be interpreted by the
light thrown on the whole question through
the words addressed by Muret to the
Pope. I would respectfully suggest that no one
be hasty in judging historical questions so as
categorically to assert that at a given period
such question or questions were thoroughly
cleared up. Sir William Hamilton is of opinion
that church history has not yet been written '.as
written it should be-" 1t will be written in that
way when all will follow the example of Pope
Leo XIII in throwing open the Vactican archives
to the public; then official documents, anthem
tically published. will illumine the obscurity,
and we shall each have to take what comas AZ
for ourselves, we do not pretend to justify every
individual. much less identify him with Gods
church, which is without spot or wrinkle" and
filled with the spirit of God. which is charity.
FRANCIS SILAS CHATARD.
Bishop of Vincennes.