New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-24
THE POPE ON AMERJCANlSM.
HIS LETTER TO CARDINAL GlBBoNo
PROMPTED BY HECKER'S
BIOGRAPHY.

dated January o. and forwarded by Cardinal
Rampolla. tho Papal Secretary OF state 10 Gar
dInal Gibbons. 1t is as follows:
To Our Beloved SON. James Cardinal G in RS
yond the Tiber Archbishop of Baltimore 20.
Leo MIL PopecBeoy1ed son Ha, H 6y his , letter
have not faiied during the course Of pontihcate
20 manifest frequently to you and to your col
leagues in the episcopnto and 70 the "noe t,,ntv
offered US by the progress OF your Church or what
over you have done for safeguarding anu ~ pr
noting catholic interests. Moreover we nave oitvn
Nation which enable the American people TO he
alive to every good work which promotes the
good OF humanity and the splendor OF civilization
Although this letter be not Intended a. preceIins
ones to repeat the words OF praise ~ 0itsm m
but rather 10 call attention to some things TO De
avoided and corrected; sui because ~ bo III
which has inspired all our letters. shall expect
he more so because it is intended to suppress
certain contentious which have arisen latey
among YOU to the detrment oil the peace OF many
1t Is known TO you. beloved son. that the life Of
and translated in a foreign language, has excited
not little controversy. because therein have oeen
ing a Christian lie
Ne Therefore on account OF our apostolic Office
having to guard the integrity Of the faith and the
security Of the faithful. DESTROYS OF writing 10
Won moro at length concerning this whole matter.
The underlying principle Of these new opinions Is
differ from her the Church should shape her
teachings more in accord with the spirit OF the
age and relax Of her ancient severity and
make some concessions TO new opinions. Many
think that these concessions should be made. not
only in regard to ways of living but even In re.
gard 10 doctrines which belong to me deposit OF
the faith. They contend that it would be oppor-
tune in order to gain those who differ from us TO
omit certain points OF her teaching "nlch are OF
lesser importance; and to tone down the meaning
1t does not need many words. beloved son. to prove
the falsity OF these ideas If the nature and origin
recalled TO mind. The Vatican Council says con
corning this point For the doctrine Of faith which
philosophical invention, to be perfected by human
ingenuity. but has been delivered as divine de-
and infaibly declared. Hence that meaning Of
the sacred dogmas Is perpetually to be retained
clared. is that meaning ever to be departed
from under the pFsienee or preeTt 9i de per
tholica. Chapter ".
ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN.
We cannot consider altogether bameess the
silence which purposely leads to the omission or
neglect OF some OF the principles Of Christian doc
trine, for all the principles come from the same
Author and Master. "the Only BeGotten Son. who
IS in the bosom OF the Father" John T. 49,. They
adapted to all times and all nations. as is
clearly from the words OF our Lord to His
Apostles Going. therefore. teach all nations;
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever |
have commanded you, and behold am with you
all days even to the end OF the world" Matthew
xviii. 19. Concerning this point the Vatican
Council says: An those things are to be believed
with divine and catholic faith which are contained
in the Word Of God. written or handed down. and
which the Church. either by n solemn Judgment
proposes for belief having been divi2ely re-
vealed. "-Const. de Eide Chapter III
any any doctrine that has been handed
down. Such policy would tend rather to separate
Catholics from the Church than 10 bring in those
who differ. There ~ nothing closer to our heart
than to have those who are separated from the
fold OF Christ return 10 II, but In no other way
than the, way pointed out by Christ;
The rule OF life laid down for Catholics IL not OF
such nature that II cannot accommodate itself
to the exigcncies Of various times and places. The
and mcrciful spirit, for which from the very
beginning she has been what 81; Iaul sad OF him.
self; II became all things TO all men that might
History proves clearly that the Apostolic See
Of teaching. but OF governing the whole Church
has continued I'm one and the same doctrine
Judgment "-Const de Eide. chapter ".
Of morals beng Kent intact she has never neg
lected 10 accommodate herself 10 the character
and genius Of The nations which she embraces
spirit again If the salvation Of souls requires it?
In this matter the Church must be the Judge not
private men. who often deceived by the appear
ancc Of right In this All who wish to escape the
blame Of our predecessor. Plus VI. must concur
spirit Of God who guides her tho doctrine con-
tanned IN Proposition NNyIII OF the synod Of Pts
the Church could frame code Of laws useless or
heavier than human liberty can bear"
DIFFERENCES POINTED OUT.
But. beloved SON. in this present matter Of which
speaking there Is greater danger
and more manifest opposition to Catholic doc
trine and discipline in that opinion Of the lovers
Of lovelty. according TO which they hold such
liberty should be allowed I'm the Church, that her
supervision and watchfulnoss being In some sense
lcssened allowance he granted the faithful. each
one 20 follow out more freely the leading OF his
own mind and the trend of his own proper activity.
They are Of opinion that such liberty has its
Is now the night AID foundation OF almost every
In the apostolic letters concerning the constitu-
ton Of States. addressed by as TO the bishops ot
oec,H .rd tbere sot forth me diTarenco eyistlne
between the Church. which Is a divine society and
all social human organizations which depend .
simply the IRE .wi ana choice of men.
to the opinion which serves as the argument in
behalf Of this greater liberty sought for and
commended to Catholics.
1t is alleged that. the Vatican decree concern
ing the infallible teaching authority of the Roman
Pontin having been proclaimed. nothing further !
ncly since that has been safeeuarded and put be
yond question wider and freer field both FOR |
thought and action Hes open to each one. But |
such reasoning is evidently faulty. since II we
come TO any conclusion from the infallibe teach
ing authority OF the Chufch' II should rather be !
that no one should wish To depart from II. and. |
moreover. that the minds Of all being lcavened |
and directed thereby greater security from private
would bc enjoyed by all. And further. those |
seem to depart seriously from the overrullng Wis
dom Of the Most Hgh-which wisdom. since it was |
pleased To set forth by most solemn decision the !
authority and supreme teaching rights OF this |
Apostolic See. Will that decision precisely IN |
order safeguard the minds of the Churchs chill |
drcn from the dangers Of these present times.
These dangers viz the confounding OF license |
with liberty. tho passion for discussing and pour
ing contempt upon any possible subject. the as
stunned right to hold whatever opinions pcases /
upon any subject and to set them forth in print |
to the world, have 80 wrapped minds In darkness |
that there H. a greater need of the Churchs |
teaching Office than ever before, lest people be- |
come unmndful both OF conscience and of duty.
We indeed. have thought OF rejecting every |
thing that modern industry and study has pro |
duced: so far from II that welcome TO the |
patrinomny OF truth and to ever widening scope /
Of public wellbeing whatsoever helps toward the !
progress OF learning and virtue. Yet all this to be
OF any solid benefit. nay, to have a real existence !
and growth only be the condition Of /
ognzinG the wisdom and authority Of the Church. /
Cnming now spcak OF tho concuslnns which |