The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-12
PeftisD yGOOdSC CO
CHURCH AND SCIENCE
TOPIC DISCUSSED ny CARDINAL Glib
BONS IN A CATHOLIC PAPER.
He Says There Can BE No Conflict be-
Those Demonstrated by Scientists.

BALTIMORE, Md, Jan. 11.-"Cardinal
Gibbons Will have the first article in the
first number of the Catholic University
Bulletin Thus spoke a professor of the
university who came to this city to-day on
a special mission from Washington. The
Bulletin will be u quarterly, conducted by
the professors ia the interest of the univer-
sity. The subject which Cardinal Gibbons
treats is THE Church and the Sciences"
1t is In part as follows:
THE opening of an American Catholic
University, was significant In many respects.
II was entirely in accord with the traditions
of the church, which, after endowing bar
izaton, rounded out this double progress
by establishing centers of learning. 1t was
also the worthiest movement which the
episcopate OF this country could have raised
to seal the first century of the Catholic
hierarchy In these United States Hopes
purpose IT Is to give the Catholics of Amer
lea, clergy and laity alike, the fairest OPP
portunity to bring forth and enjoy the fruits
The measures adopted by Pope Leo for
the restoration OF Thomistic philosophy
are due not to impulslve enthusiasm, but
rather to a p~rotracted far-sighted pru-
dence:. He realizes fully the actual needs
ourselves with the knowledge Of what is
being done in the various departments of
the work. Otherwise, our Catholic youth,
obliged to seek elsewhere their scientific
information. will insenslbly come to look
representatives of progressive knowledge.
Nor can we complain If, through q lack
OF proper eSer ea' on our part. the honor
10 others. The world, protest as it may,
still bows to authority, and the might of
authority in the domain of science belongs
TO those who acquire the right to speak
by personal research.
AS Catholics, we know of a certainty
IA IN real nfi DnD a riG0 bnt uyh tho
truths Of religion and those which science
has ssolidly demonstrated. But this con-
viction must be brought home to those
who are outside the church, and who Judge
her rather by what her members do than
s eS wna' sine 1ney cr wfire' % or +s say In favor OF
the name, must recognize merit wherever
they find it, and at least respect Cath
supernatural claims. Once this respect is
compelled by the work of Catholic scientists
apologies. in the usual sense of the term,
"In order that the honor of the church
may be completely vindicated, it is neces-
taken idea that Catholics are not free to
pursue scientific research. After what has
been said concerning the relations between
perfuous to insist on the liberty which she
allows her children. However, there is. in
many candid minds, a lurking suspicion that
Catholics are kept in constant fear of run
ming up against a barrier of some sort, of
being checked. so to speak, by theological
ititiibitlous. fAilu IA NY ILLS rs 1ltanI JnaI
the church Is ever ~vigilant for the preser-
walton and priority of faith, we not only adj
init that such is the case, but we insist,
moreover, that this is the only course which
an institution founded by Christ to spread
his doctrine, to consistently follow. On the
other hand. we deny that In it's solicitude
for the faith once delivered to the saints,
the church interferes with the legitimate
action of science.
"A conclusion which. though apparently
based on fact. runs counter to dogmatic
truth. Is not the verdict of science itself.
1t is the finding of certain scientists who
go out of their proper sphere into that
OF speculation on matters beyond their
reach. The church does not ask science
to furnish proof of her tenets, nor does she
pretend to fix the principles and methods
which science shall follow. But, in return,
she claims the right TO use her authority
concerning things which properly pertain
TO her mission as teacher. The church, far
from neglecting scientific advance, sets a
higher value on Ii than do those who are
swept to and fro by every new current
Of opinion. She makes more allowance
for real progress than those who are now
its loudest champions. And it Is her pur-
pose. declared SO often by the voice OF
Leo Mi, that Catholics should make the
hest use Of their freedom to further the
Interests Of science, and thereby to honor
her and help her to glorify the Father
Of lights. To all of US she says: For this
Is your wisdom and understanding in the
sight of nations