New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-26
TIE POPE'S LETTER.

The Popes letter TO Cardinal Gibbons is at
once clear and obscure. There can he no qucs-
ton. Of course, what are the doctrines and
tendencies which are condemned by the Pom
tiff There is likely TO be, however great
deal of doubt, and even controversy, IA to the
identity of the people who hold these doctrines
and sympathlzc with these tendencies. The
letter requires the assumption that the thngs
condemned are to be- found in the much talkcd.
of Life Of Father Heckcr." But the admirers
of that priest. both inside and outside the Order
Of Paulist Fathers. vchemcntly deny that he
ever held any such views Moreover. they
themselves rcprO6ate these views strongly
as the Pope does. Archbishop ireland. indeed.
does so over his own name; and yet he wrote
the preface 10 the "I.ife"-a fact Of which his
opponents in the Church have made great
deal as Indicating that he was open TO censure
from the Vatican equally with Father Iecker.
1t is indicated in the Popcs letter that the
things objected to are found in the transations
Of the Life" But American Catholics are not
responsible for the faults Of these transla-
tons. and at first sight it seems incxplicable
that they should be- warned against errors Of
doctrine in a translation intended for foreign
ers. and which few of them will ever see.
The truth probably is that the sharp and some
times bitter controversy which fOI some years
has rent the American Catholic Church made
il necessary for the Pope 10 say something.
/ At the same time the situation made il danger
Gus for him 10 take sides in the controversy.
In fact. II would have been unscemly for him
TO do So for the dispute relates largely to meth
obs and personalities and not nj all to funda-
mental doctrines In this dilemma, therefore.
the Pope scnslbly did what every statesmanlke
ruler would have done under like circum-
stances. He took the erroneous views embOd-
| led in the translation Of Father Heckers
| life" and out Of them constructed beautiful
and symmetrical man Of straw. which he then
proceeded TO demollsh BY thus doing he will
| probably satisfy both parties and allay the
controversy For the conservatives will say:
| There. you soc; the Holy Father has CON
"demncd the false Catholics who deny the
faith" While the liberals will say: Yes;
land so do we. Who're are the impious
'wretchcs?" And in the common hunt for the
mythical straw man old differences may he for
| gotten and new bonds of unity and sympathy
| created. The Popc's main object was 10 pre-
vent any further clashes between earnest and
! ambitious men. leaving TO time the settlement
Of the questions Of expedcncy and method
raised by them. And In this he has shown
himself to be n wise leader as we'll as shrcwd
student Of human nature
This aspect of the case will be- confirmed 10y
an examination Of the views which the Pope
condemns. one Is that the Church should
make concessions 10 new opinions in matters
Of faith. But every good Catholic would deny
such view Another condemned view is that
certain doctrines may be- omitted. suppressed
or neglected for purposes ~ Cancellation. and
still another is that Church members should
have the right 10 hold any opinions they please
without respect 10 the authority OF the Church
or course. no Catholic liberal has ever put forth
such views. aud III" liberals would he no less
eager than the conservatives 10 drive out Of
/ the Church men holding them. II Is true that
/ the Pope makes n formal plea FOR the religious
orders. with their obligation Of Vows. as illus
tratlng a higher conception OF religion than
that which is worked out in the common every