The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-27
ST. GEORGE MIVARI,s SUBMISSION TO
ROME
THE Views or tn Rev. Mr. Maeoutary, tie
Episcopal Hereto, Cone~rntnE Et.


To rHE EDrroR OF The suN-Sr: In a re-
cent !ssus OF THE SrN was a leading article re-
fcrrnG to the condemnation by Rome OF St
George Mivart's articles on " Happiness in
He'll and commenting on Mr. Mivarts sub
mission to Rome. had not then seen the De-
cembcr number OF the Nneeeih Century. In
which Mr.. Miyart defended his submission to
the Church. but ] INN ediately got the maya
zine. md would now like to express through
your columns n few thoughts suggested by it
to my mind.
| have no desire TO compare myself to Mr..
Mivart in any respect but he and | have been
in quite similar II not exactly the same posi-
tions once In ourlives. and his course has difer-
ed so widely from my own that naturally felt
much interest In reading his defence Of him
self His defence by no means satisfies me.
lie bows TO the decree Of the Church because
he believes tho Church infallible In faith and
morals and considers himself rightly falli-
he IN such matters. But all this doe. not re-
Mivart published his opinions on nell lie either
believed them to be true or he lid not believe
them 10 be true ~ course we,cannot ACCEPT
lieved his opinions to be true when he first eX
pressed them, he must still believe them TO- I've
true: for the Congregation Of the Index has
not dlsrrove1 those opinions
what puzzles me. therefore is, how n man
itatiyely condemned can honorablv remain in
that Church and claim to he a loyal aUn OF II.
~ may tie pardoned for giving n hit OF per.
sonnl experience. IL will make 1t plain why
nm puzzled to understand Mr.. Mvnrts action.
When | was tried for heresy In the Episcopal
Church. three years ago II was decided that
might retain my ministerial office II | would
promise not to teach or publish my views
OF the birth and resurrection OF Jesus In
other words. II was decided that might he n
clergyman in the Episcopal Church while
denying two articles OF its creed. provided
] would not express such denial in puhlic.
But felt then. and feel now that It would
have been disgrace to the Church and to my
cell TO have retained my position on auch con-
ditions, and accordingly renowned the Enls-
cornl ministry IL seems to me that Mr..
MiNnrt occupies the position did three years
ago, and am unable to see now he can recon-
Gle his action with honor. II he had been
converted from his errors and had renowned
them. could readily understand his submits
sion, but In his article in the Nnsieenh ien-
hnU ho emphasizes the fact that . no retrac-
tion has been demanded Of him" and even
seems TO hone and expect that IN tho future
his articles will he removed from the Index as
other books have been.
Perhars some acute Roman Catholic thinker
should truly he greatly Obliged. The question
is this: " Can Church especially the Roman
Church, which claims infalliblity. honorably
allow n man who believes what It condemn 8 to
remain n member OF II ? and ~ can such n
man honorably remain in IL even IL permit
ted " to do sot An answer to these questions
will be appreciated HOWARD MACQUEARY
Pastor Cniversalist Church. Erie. Pa
JAN. 10. 1891.