The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-03-02
LETTER FROM THE POPE.
i Not Unfavorable to Liberal TendenI
cfes I'm America-Reply OF
Ireland.

Rome. Feb. 2e-The Osservatore
Romardo published letter from the
pope to Cardinal Gibbons saying that
1T the term Americanism signifies
qualities peculiar to Americans and
usages adapted to their customs, then
we have othing to say against it, but
If it denotes the opinions expressed i'm
the Life of Father Hecker,' we are
convinced thatfthe American bishops
will be the first to reject them" A
synopsis Of the document follows:
The pope's letter especially reproves
opinions concerning relaxation Of disci-
pine and nonobservance Of doctrmal points
as pretext for attracting dissenters to
Catholicism, the direction Of souls by the
inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Independent
OF priestly control, and concerning unusual
methods of preaching Catholicism to dis
senters. - -
The letter, which occupies five columns
In the Osservatore Romano, begins by
lauding Cardinal Gibbons and the Ameri.
can Catholics. Abiding to the many proofs
OF good will he has given them in the past,
the pope wishes them to see in the present
document another proof Of his affection
for America. e.
While he makes it clear that the letter
- VIC VI wal IAA4G dAu COETSCtlOu WITH rex.
erence to the Life of Father Hecker." his
holiness carefully distinguishes between
the doctrinal aspects Of the new theories
and questions Of practical discipline, and
strongly urges the impossibility Of any
change In the former. While admitting
that the church has always recognized
and acted upon the necessity Of adapting
certain points of discipline to modern re-
quirements, 1t rests with the church, the
pope points out and not with individuals
to determine how and when such adapta-
lions can be made
"All virtues" says his holiness, must
necessarily be active. The contempt shown
by innovators for what they are pleased to
call passive virtues has naturally led to a
contempt Of religious life as suited only to
the weak and as an impeachment to Christian
perfection and to the, good Of the COM
munity." This error the pope energetical-
ly condemns, declaring it Injurious to the
religious orders and in contradiction to
history
He reminds the Americans Of their in
debtedness to the religious orders, both
active and contemplative.
The letter arouses deep interest in Rome.
The liberal papers declare that it consti-
tutes a solemn manifestation of the in
transigeant spirit in Catholicism" and pre-
dict that it will produce an immense effect
in America.
Rome, Feb. 25.-The' Observatory Ro-
mano publishes the text of a letter from
Anch bishop Ireland to the pope, regard
ing the pontiff's letter to Cardinal Glib
bons on "Americanism." The arch
bishop thanks the pope for this proof
OF his esteem and love for American
Catholics, and says that now that the
pope has shed light upon the situa ton,
misunderstanding will cease, 'for we
are now able to determine the fault
which some desire to conceal under the
name of Americanism, and define true
Americanism, such as understood by
Americans" Continuing, the arch
bishop says among other things:
with all the energy of my soul, repu-
date all the opinions the apostolic letter
repudiates and condemns, those false and
dangerous opinions whereto, as his holi-
ness in brief says, certain people give the
name of Americanisms. Irepudiate and con-
denim them categorically, like his holiness,
with all the more promptitude and joy, in
asmuch as my Catholic faith and compre-
hens1on Of the teachings and practices of
the church have never permitted me to en-
terrain such extravagances. The whole
episcopate of the United States, in their
own name and in the name of their docks,
are ready to repudiate and condemn them.
We cannot but be indignant that such
wrong Is done us, our bishops, our faith
full and our nation, as to designate by the
name of Americanism such errors and ex-
travagances."
Most holy father, they are enemies of
the church in America and false interpre-
tiers Of the faith who imagine there exists
or who desire to establish in the United
states church differing single iota from
the holy universal church, recognized by
other nations as the only church Rome
itself recognizes or can recognize as the
infallible guardian of the revelation of
Jesus Christ"