New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10
WHAT is THEIR DOCTRINEY
BISHOP GAILOR CALLS THE CATHOLIC DOC
TRINE OF THE MASS AN UNCERTAIN
az AA-r,1rY- Confession NOT
Parkersburg. W. Va. April 6.

neutrality-suspicious. NOT
COMPULSORY.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: A courteous request deserves courteous
reply. therefore make the following answer TO
your note of March 90. in which you ask %
us or Is not the doctrine Of the mass. as held
by the advanced Catholic party Of the English
Church in harmony with the teaching Of the
Episcopal church," and % What is the atti-
tude Of the Episcopal Church toward the doc
trne of aurcuIar confession. either enforced or
voluntary"
AS 10 % must say that It Is impossible TO
define the doctrine Of the mass as held by the
advanced Catholic party in the English Church"
because there Is considerable variety Of state
ment and belief on the part OF individual priests
and laymen, just as there is vast difference
in the statement OF the doctrine in the
Roman Catholic Church. according to the grade
Of learning and intelligence. The Episcopal
Church distinguishes between private opinions
and formal. authoritative doctrinal statements.
Her formal. authoritative. doctrinal statements
are set forth In plain language in the Book Of
Common Prayer which includes the Catechism
ard the Liturgy. Her clergy are sworn at their
ordination 10 be loyal to these authoritative
statements and she trusts them. Each clergy
these authoritative statements are to be
counted for and explained but he cannot teach
his private opinion as part Of the doctrine of the
Church The specific points in the doctrine
Of the mass" said to be held by the advanced
Catholic party would have to be stated. there
fore before an intelligent opinion could be given
as TO their conformity with the teaching Of the
Episcopal Church.
with regard to C2) beg to say that the
Prayer-b book Of the Episcopal Church makes no
provision for private auricular confession in it's
daily offices, does not mention It in the Cate
chism and refers to II only by inference in the
Liturgy proper. That the use OF private auricu
lar confession. however is not absolutely denied
by the Episcopal Church Is definitely declared
in the "Oflce for the Visitation Of Prisoners"
where the clergyman is required TO "exhort"
the individual 10 confession Of his sins, and
is commanded to pronounce absolution
No reasonable man, therefore. can imagine
that private auricular confession is compulsory
in the Episcopal Church. neither can he venture
TO deny that in some cases 1t is not only permit
ted but enjoined. THOMAS F. GAILOR,
Bishop Of Tennessee.
Memphis, Tenn. April 6. 1899
THE CHURCH AND FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
LUTHEKS DECLARATION QUOTED AGAINST IT'S
CLAIM OF POWER
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir; In your issue of April the Bishop Of Spring
fed. Ill. says The Church teaches that Christ
has left with her the power TO forgive sins This
power she in express words gives her priests at
their ordination"
Now. the power TO forgive involves the power 10
withhold forgiveness, and here you have the old
"infable Church" doctrine. And would saw 70
any such Church what Martin Luther practically
said to the Catholic Church Of his day on the
church door at Wttenberg. in October 1911: 1--WE
cannot stop from going there"
This protest has stood fire for nearly four hun
dred years, and is good for several years more
Vernon. n. Y, April 6. 1888. A. p CHASE