The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-04
ALBERTUS' THEORY
An Important Encyclical Soon to
be Issued on
THE GREAT SOCIAL QUESTIONS
That Are Shaking the Very Centres Of Society
The Relation Of Albertus to
Modern Socialism.

Especial to TEE HERALD-Examiner Dispatch
NEW YORK, March Sit is authoritively
announced the Pope Leo XIII will soon is
sue one of the most important encyclicals
that have emanated from his pen during
his occupancy of the papal chair. Its COM
ing is anxiously awaited by the ecclesias-
teal authorities Of this arch diocese.
Pope Leo after long and thoughtful con-
sideration, has concluded the time has ar
rived when he, as head Of the Catholic
church, must authoritively speak on the
great social and economic questions which
are shaking the very centres OF society.
GA few weeks ago, when Archbishop Cor
rigan appointed ''Albertus" as the subject
to be discussed at the last quar-
terly conference of the clergy of this
diocese, widespread interest was attached
to the discussion. "Albertus" was an imag-
mary person who was imbued with the
theories of the modern Socialist. One Of
his confessors had condemned his theories
as un-Catholic and refused him absolution
while he held them or even attended meet
ings where they were debated. Another
confessor advised him that his theories
were not inconsistent with Catholic the
| ology and said he could attend the meetings
without doing anything contrary to his re-
ligion. The question the archbishop pre-
sented to his clergy was, Which oonfessor
was right. The real "Albertus" was any
one who held theories akin to those advo-
Gated by DR.. McGlynn. The discussion of
"Albertus" took wide and i'm
portant range. 1t was held in secret,
able to give to-day some inside facts
connected with the 'sAlbertus,,' discussion
which until now have never been published.
Only the essays of those who took sides
against "Albsrtus" have been given out.
His denunciation was made public, but the
fact that defense was made has never
until now been limited.
"Albertus," instead Of being abandoned
to the mercy of his opponents, was ably
not publicly discussed at the conference;
the rule of the conference made it obli-
gatorY on every priest of the diocese to
SUI mit in wriJing his views on the subject
under debate. The essays were all written
in Latin. Those read happened to be only
those which expressed the views which it
is known are held by the archbishop.
But Archbishop Corrigan has in his pos
session number Of Latin dissertations
which were submitted at the conference,
which, taken together, make up very pre-
sentable defense for the offender, 'Albsr-
tus." The line Of defense followed by the
little army who stood up against the ma
iority of the conference is nearly the same
'Albertus, F." they held, was teaching Cath
Ollie doctrines; he was only using his com
mon birthright to discuss and study
economic questions which are matters per-
tanning to the state and entirely beyond the
jurisdiction Of ecclesiastical authority. The
defenders Of "Albertus," while main tanning
the question was political one, used one
mode OF defense which they consider more
convincing one and which bears close
and intimate relationship to the Pope's
coming encyclical. "The propaganda" they
said, "has not condemned the theories of
'Albertus. If it has, we have never seen
the condemnation. True, it has been said
| that the propaganda has issued an edict
against the doctrines and theories OF
'Albertus.' We maintain and are ready to
prove what the propaganda has condemned
I we are not teaching, and that the alleged
condemnation has been distorted to be made
! to apply TO the case of .Albertus.' We main
tain that 'Albertus' is not intoxicating doc
trines hostile toCatholic theology and tina,
he is an advocate Of something entirely out
side of the domain OF the church. 1t is g
question to be settled by the arbiters of the
political destines OF the respective COM
munities in which they themselves may
eject to reside.'
This defense of 'Albertus" was nc
doubt partly Anticipated by the arch
bishop. He has known for sometime tina,
those sentiments were held by several Of
| the priests. The Pope's eucyclical vii
definitely settle this CONTROVERSY. Bu1
will it be for Or against "Albertus" The
| Pope's encystical alone can answer thai
| question. The defenders of "Albertus'
are the ones who refused to sign a circular
letter upholding the archbishop for his &C
| ton during the McGlynn dispute and they
are the ones who stood near DR.. Burtsel
when he was disciplined by the archbishop