The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04


must be obeyed more than man. The
Church has the right and duty to oppose,
to improve, and also to abolish the civil
laws, if they conflict with ecclesiastical
laws. The Church has the right and
duty to admonish the author of the law;
and, if he does not submit, to proclaim to
the faithful the nullity OF the laws.
The meaning Enthusiastically is, that in
ecclesiastical affairs, State does not deal
directly with its Catholic subjects, but
with the Pope, as the head OF the Church.
Expressions like the above are in per-
feet keeping with Leo's Encyclical "Im-
mortale Del" which serves as their au.
thoritative basis. An article on this
Encyclical in the Dublin Review, for
January, is significant, because it seems
to have been inspired in the Vatican, and
speaks authoritatively of the future tao
tres of the Catholic Church, which are
worthy of attention. The papal docu-
ment is pronounced most weighty, and
is lauded as the guide of Catholics in
their actions; and it is affirmed that "its
full meaning will only come out as this
century and the next run their course"
Among the articles of this Encyclical the
following are of special significance: cit
is easy to recognize which is the true re-
ligion. Christ has instituted certain
society called the Church, over which he
has appointed rulers, and one especially
as supreme ruler-the Roman Pontiff
The Church is perfect Society, COM
plete and independent; and as its end
and object is the most elevated and ex-
cellent which can be, it ranks first among
Societies, and, therefore, above the State I;
though neither can it in any way inlure
the State. . There was once time
when the philosophy of the Gospel really
governed States: happy time, when
many grand things were done through
this concord between the Kingdom and
the Priesthood. The sixteenth century
brought change; first, religion was
corrupted, then philosophy, and, finally,
civil society. The four principles of the
new system are Equality, personal Free
dom from Authority, the right to think
as one pleases, to act as one likes, and
the denial of all right to command. That
is, the mob is sovereign the ruler is
only delegate at will the authority of
God is Ignored; no public religion is
possible; all religion may be called in
question. i. The first duty of Catho-
lies is union OF will and united action.
This they will secure by obedience to the
Holy See and the bishops"
The remarks attached to the Encycli-
cal IN the ReUiea0 profess to give the aim
of the Pope and the line of policy to be
adopted by Catholics all over the world.
The one grand and supreme design of
the present Pontif, ever since his eleva-
tion, Is declared to be the formation of
f".C05 ho3to4 patty ocer the qOhole civilized
t0orla." Owing to the condition of So
ciety, it is claimed that this party is es-
pecially needed now. While party of
the Church, lit is yet to be distinct from
the Church, its aim being to make Cath
Ole principles predominant in social and
political affairs. These principles " are,
above all, to be carried into public life.
A Catholic who lives up to his duties in
private, and yet in his public capacity,
as voter, a member, magistrate, or
minister, neglects the Churchs teachings
and disobeys the Sovereign Pontiff, is, in
our present judgment, no Catholic at ALL 4"
Speaking of changes of government, the
writer says: To decide how far and
under what circumstances change is law
full, or at what period resistance may
cease or ought to cease, is not within the
province Of any individual. 1t is the
prerogative of the Sovereign Pontiff. E"
The Catholic party is to be controlled
solely by doctrines and aims unmistaka-
bly, Catholic: d" As we have already said,
the programme of Catholic party must
include all that the Holy See declares to
be essential or expedient, and exclude all
that it pronounoes to be free or indiffer-
ent." The "Holy Father" is quoted as
saying that, it is the duty Of Catholics,
as far as possible, to turn the public
system to real and true public good, and
to make it their deliberate purpose to
infuse into the veins Of the State, as sal
utary sap and blood, the wise and right
eous principles of the Catholic religion"
1t is evident that this Catholic party,
to be established all oven the world for
social and political purposes, is to be a
new aggressive movement on the part of
Cath olicism. The most influential and
most jealous will, no doubt, be made To-
cal leaders in the movement, and, per-
haps, Jesuits will be its most efficient
managers. The whole, under the direct
supervision of bishops and the Pope, may
become mighty agency of the Church
for making It's principles supreme in the
councils of nations. This new feature is
the more significant for Protestant lands
IT, IL. L. L Al Al T.