New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-12
ROME'S "INDEN."
THE OBJECT OF THIS PAPAL INSTITu-
TION WHICH HAS RECENTLY BEEN
DrORGANIZED AND MODERN
IZED BY LEO Kill


the Paulist community, has served to revive
non,,l,r interest in that particular department Of
the administration Of the Roman Cathohc
cb,,rcb which goes bv the name OF the Congrc-
gation OF the Index. Relatively little is know"
NV the laity and especially by non-Cathohc pe"-
Mic ~ this institution, the foundation or "hlch
dates hack 70 the sixteenth century Of the Chris-
tan era. Indeed "A widespread impression eA-
,ets IN the United States that the so-called index
:, ,,cr,ly an archaic survival Of the darkest days
NJ medieval tyranny. spiritual as well as tempo
raj and that il is totally oIt Of keeping with
uode,n times and with the enlightenment prog
roee and civilization Of the nineteenth century
10 such an extent does this belief exist thai the
very announcement that book has been con
aemned bv the Congregation OF the Index IS
considered by many TO constitute tribute TO It's
brlliancv its originality and It's cleverncss
Inasmuch as one OF the most recent ana I'M
bortant events OF the long and busy reign OF
Leo XIII has been the reorganization OF TINS
CONGREGATION Of the Index. with an extensive
Modification OF It's statutes and constitution
with the object OF adapting them to present
lines !; may be or timely interest to publish
few brief notes upon the subject which may
tervc TO dispel certain misapprehcnsions
In the first place 1t should be pointed out
that neither 1.-THE Life Of Father Hecker' 10y
Father Elliott nor its French translation nor
vet the attack upon Father Hcckcr by the Abpe
Maignan. entitled Father Heckcr: Is lie "
laint?' have been placed upon the lndeS hN-
burgatorius or list Of books condemned by the
CONGREGATION OF thc Index. 1t is perfectly true
that the latter was in favor of the condchna-
Bon Of Father EHiotrs book. in consequence OF
certain teachings OF dogma and Church diS''-
1line contained therein which were not Regarded
as strictly orthodox But the Pontih' -ai'er
carefully considering the matter and studying
The work came to the conclusion that the pro-
lbitlon Of the book would give rise to mlsh'er-
eretation in the United states. where the spherc
If the Congregation OF the Index is so little uh-
derstood lie was especially afraid lest the
blacing OF THE Life OF Father Hecker upon
The Index might be understood to indicate "'c
disapproyal by the Holy See OF that portion %
Father HeckeI's doctrines which are 10 'he ti-
feet that it is possible 10 be at one ana the SAM
time an obodicnt son Of the Church and loyal
citizen Of the United States 80 he reSoN'u "
deal with the book. as well as with the contro-
ycrsy which it had excited. h. means oil a 4et'''
addressed 70 Cardinal Gibbons and to the Ho-
man Catholic clergy in this country. In TINS
missiyc. which has been wrongly described a an
the fact that while as Supreme Ponun ne con
dennis certain OF thc teachings Of Father
uecker tina, are in contradiction with tho dogma
and the discipline OF the Church, he has moth
Ing bat approval for what is known AS "Ameri-
canisrn' in So far as 10 implies a loyal fIhmcni
bv Catholics Of the dudes and Obligations al
citizenship Of H.. United States ard obedience
to the laws and to the customs Of this country
,rttr- -. pms MOTIVES
1t Is not within M province here to discuss
this letter. 4 great adnircr and advocate of
democratic institutions no Pope has eyer done
50 much as Leo NlIl toward hrinsing the Cath
Ole Church INFO harmony with the democratic
trend - ID, pre -rt Day Dee was especially
anxious t. avoid being misunderstood 10y the
greatest democra,s Of the world. In fact rs
entire letter must ir regarded as indicating his
inteTcsi ia and consideration FOR The people &
tie United State; and If there &ic certain points
that to the laity mag appear obscure. or per
haps uncaWei fly. il must DO borne in mind
that TIE tier is "a '.esscd to the clergy rather
than To- thc luty. AMI that The Pouti0 has
ayailei himself Of This opportunity gently and
tactfuIy 10 get right como minor errors 9rd 20
diycour touance ST.. c,ll infrac;1ne Of d.scil re-
which have crept in here and there during the
last decade or 80. and which while they dill
not cal for any immediate dcnUnciati"n. were
kept in mind by His Holiness with view 90
being dealt with quietly as soon as an oppor-
tuuity presented itself
LATITUDE To AMERICAN BISHOPS
With regard To- the Index. Jet m" say hcre
that its application in the English speaking
countries is far less stringent AMI severe thaa
IN Continental Europe and among the so-called
Latin nations. In tact. throughout tho presen'
P0ntihcaic special degree 81 latitude has been
accord.d to tho bishops and archbishoIs Of the
md of ,r.q in or