Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-24
LEO ON CHURCH IN AMERICA
Head Of the Catholic Church Defines Its
Attitude
DisapprOves of Relaxation of Disci-
pline and Condemns All Depart
ure From Established Doctrine.

4 "A speCldl TO the IDiiduSi-
phia Press from Rome gives a synopsis of
| the letter from the pope 70 Cardinal Glib
| bons on the rnuch-discussed subject of
Anericanism. SD called. 1t was published
originally in the osservatore Romano. The
letter is dated January %. After express
ing his love toward episcopal America and
his admiration for the American people
| the pope says: I'VE propose to clear up
several controversies which trouble the
souls and hearts of Catholics"
He then proce eds to examine the Life
of Father Hecker,' which, through defe g
tive translations and comments, has been
the cause of many dissensons. The basis
of these. new opinions is that, in order To
lead dissidents into the church. the latter
ought to cede, somewhat to the progress OF
the age, lessen its old seventies and accept
theories suitable to the pressing require
ments of the peoples of many beliefs, that
not only as regards diseiplines. but also as
regards doctrines which constitute the de-
poSitorieS of faith, those who consider that
it is inopportune to attract dissidents into
the church by swerving from modify
ing the known doctrines are highly blam-
able.
On this point the Vatican council has
declared: "a doctrine of the faith which
God has revealed is not phiiosophic in
vention proposed for perfecting man, but
divine depository given to the sponsor of
Christ, which must be guarded faithfully
and held infallihle."
Nc Doctrine Can he Omitted.
The letter continues, saying: No doctrine
can be omitted, because Christ told the
apostles. Go preach to the people teach
ing all things that have ordered you To
act otherwise, instead of leading dissidents
to the Catholic Church, would tend to es<
TRANCE Catholics from the church.
LAS to the discipline of life ordered to
Catholics. that does not exclude moditica-
ton according to time and places. The
church has always moderated disciphnes
according to the requirements of the peo-
pies. These notifications can, however.
only be decided by the church, never by
private individuals"
The pope proceeds to blame the tenden-
cies of those who, in this matter wish to
introduce certain liberty which would de-
molish the power and vigilance of church
authorities.
''The council having recognized the in
fallibility of the pope, Catholics ought to
listen to the counsels of the pope on all
questions. The license which is easily con-
founded with liberty has led many to speak
and think in ways that have thrown such
darkness upon the minds as renders more
than ever necessary the guidance of au-
thority. The church does not wish to re-
pudiate or cast a slight upon the best
products of modern genius. We see with
pleasure. every step in the progress OF
science. but all that ought not make the
authority of the church be forgotten.
from the point of view of novelties which
some desire to introduce. and condemns
them all because the Holy Spirit, he says.
has never been more bountiful toward
Catholics than at present.
The succeeding passage blames those
who admire natural virtues more than SUI
pernatural virtues. ITO conquer the pas
sions, man has need of Divine assistance"
sympathy With Religious Orders.
The pope next recognizes the fun lib
erty of Christians to unite in societies and
corporations even without the bond of re-
ligion, but seizes occasion to reaffirm his
sympathy with religious orders.
The pope reminds the Americans of their
Indebtedness to the religious orders both
active and contemDlative.
Finally. he blamcs the desire 90 aha1@or
old methods and systems to draw dissi-
dents into the church, and concludes by
saying ne cannot approve u t--, -----.
theories called Americanisn, which might
give rise to suspicious: that Americans wish
TO constitute amongst themselves an au-
tonomous free church.
Your correspondent saw AIonsignor Sa-
TOLL. He has an exalted opinion of the i'm
portance of the document, and said: 1t
will produce the best impression among
Catholics in America. Through this letter
the pope will recall Catholics throughout
the world to unconditional respect toward
the church, the fundamental principles OF
the religion of Christ and absolute obe-
dfence to Christ's representative on earth"
Satolli concluded: We cannot doubt
that all religious bishops in America will
bow before the lofty words of the pope and
that all dfsSensions will disappear
Monsignor Angeli the pope's secretary,
said: The pope sent the letter without
consulting Archbishop ireland. No other
american bishop was consulted, but the
Sacred College has unanimously approved
the letter"
Your correspondent also saw Archbishop
Ireland. He would say nothing except that
tne pope Is infallible and all Catholics
must respect his decisions"
The letter arouses deep interest in Rome
The liberal papers declare that it consti-
tutes d solemn manifestation of the in
transtgeant spirit in Catholicism" and pre-
dict that it will produce an immense effect
in America.