The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-01-19
RELIGIOUS WARS.
Falsif1cation Of History a Favorite
Plan Adopted by Non Cath
olic Writers.
PRoTESTANTISM EPITOMIZED.
Unquesttonably the Massacre Of st.
Bartholomew was Provoked by
Huguenot Vandalism.

Unquesttonably the Massacre Of ST.
Bartholomew was Provoked by
Huguenot Vandalism.
FhiAfication OF history, either inten-
tionally, for the purpose of supporting q
pet cause, or unwittingly by those who
do not take the trouble of sscertaining
facts, is favorite plan adopted by non
Catholic writer's in treating questions or
events with which the Church is directly
or remotely connected. In this way
school books and so-called histories be-
come the ready means Of disseminating
falsehoods and fostering prejudices
which become practically impossible to
uproot from minds distorted by such
teaching in early life. There is history
and history, and we oplne that not
small number, even of Catholics, fail to
discriminate between what is deserving
OF serious attention and what is as bad
as not reading at all, because of the dis
tortion Of the facts or the elimination Of
details or illustrations essential to the
clearing up of the text.
It ,e the study OF this latter type of
history that gives foundation for the
faleehoods about the Church so common
ly heard, especially among the non Cath
olic masses These historical fables
do much harm by keeping people apart
and shutting them off from the knowl.
edge of the truth, for every one in whose
presence these stereotyped falsehoods
are mentioned does not take the method
adopted by All Ohio Catholic for having
them refuted. This Ohio Catholic was
unable himself to give an adequate re.
ply to the charges made against the
Church by non.Catholic friends, and,
therefore, he very properly submitted
the questions to his pastor, who made
public the following article in the COL
umus Of the 'Catholic Universe" The
Facts set forth are OF interest to readers
generally.
"It is truly ridiculous for any Prot
estant to accuse the Catholic Church OF
persecution, when sthe whole history Of
Professionalism can be epitomizsd in these
words: Anarchy, murder, revolution
and dynasties. The superlativeuess of
ampudence, the very quintesence of gall
rs the daring venture to search for per
eecution of Catholics in England. II was
wonder that the writer's pen was not
stricken with paralysis at this bold un'
dertaking. Contemplate Henry VIII,
Queen Elizabeth, James, Anne-in q
word that long line of living monsters on
Englaud's throne-and then talk about
Catholics prosecuting in England!
aOr again, look at the Isle of Saints,
and sec her weeping like another Rachel
Tor her martyred children, whose only
crime was the profession OF the faith of
their ancestors; remember that for Gath.
olic Ireland no law, other than penal,
existed from the birth of the so-called
Reform alton to the year 1900. I will
cover with the mantel Of silence the sick
ening and blood -curdling narration Of
the violent introduction of Professionalism
into Poland, Silesia, Denmark, Sweden,
Llyonia, Hungary aud other countries.
will not turn bsck TO look at the soil
Of England and ireland crimsoned bv
the blood OF her noblest sons and
daughters; I will merely ask can that
religion be divine which is built on
foundation of falsehood, and is baptised
with the blood OF unnumbered innocent
victims? No wonder Schlegel calls the
period Of the Reformation 'barbarous
era,
"Yea, more! Not satisfied with per.
scouting Catholics, they even prosecuted
their own most celebrated men, as the
great astronomers, Tycho, Brahe and
Kepler, men who fed from the uphfted
rod Of Protestant intolerance to Catholic
Austria, finding in the Catholic Emper-
or, Rudolph, kind protector.
" \ aThe Catholic Church teaches no dog
ma OF persecution. Can Professionalism
cay the same? Ask Calvin, Melancthon,
Luther, John Knox, John Wesley, Henry
VIII.
Besides, Catholics we're everywhere in
possession; their religion was the religion
.of Europe for centuries; hence hereaies
openly espoused and proclaimed caused
civil commotions, and the disturber fell
sunder the OWL law. Il was, however,
only when these false teachings were
Sopenly proclaimed for the sake Of pro-
ytisn, and thus the peace Of the state.
sagered, thath the civil arm made
|Ai1 e felt. s:5s
the Light IS these historical facts
ONES testants % charge 10: