The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-02-14
The Dignity of the Priest.

1t is a noteworthy fact that one o.
the marks Of a true Catholic is the es-
TEEN he invariably cherishes, and the
reverence he manifests toward its min
lister of God. His is not a cringing
serviIity, nor fulsome fattery, nor
again is it that mere sentiments of
courteous refinement that prompts the
true gentleman to acts of respectful
obsequiousness towards others. No. Its
source is deeper; it springs from an
intimate persuasion and consciousness
that God Himself is the ultimate OBJ
ject of whatever honor is shown his
priest.
We have often had occasion to re-
mark this in Catholic countries, where
Catholics; even of high social standing,
would consider themselves as grossly
delinquent in the very rudiments of po-
liteness and Difference towards Gods
minister were they to fail to kiss his
hand. even in public. This is the usual
salutation the priest receives. Nor,
however. are our good American Cath
oics deficient in this respect. That
elevated sentiment they entertain to-
wards Gods representative is as sincere
and genuine as can be found anywhere,
though perhaps not manifested in so
palpable a degree. The reason is OBJ
vious. Has not the priest abandoned
everything to minister exclusively to
them? Is not his life. his time. and
his labor at their disposal? Is he not
the vice gerent of God in their re-
gard? 1t is this entire and unreserved
dedication of his whole being. physf-
cally, morally and intellectFally to the
cause Of his Maker that elcits this
universal loyalty to the priest, and
that distinguishes it from the more or
less human motives that beget defer
ence and respect in the hearts of nom
Catholics towards their pastors.
As contrast. now and again there
is TO be found a person possessed Of
such mental giddiness and levity. or
malice. or both, as to scruple not to
censure, nay to expose to obloquy and
cOntumely the most innocent actions
Of his sacredOtal superior Such per
sons. by the very fact of the baseness
to.'which they stoOp. prove themselves
To- be neither more or less than ignor-
ant, unprincipled Slander-mongers. 1
and, as such. unworthy the notice of
honest men. Yet the harm they are
capable Of doing is often incalculable
BY bheir malice. or at least their un-
pardonahle want Of even ordinary
judgment. they create enmities. anti
paThies, aversion and in general do all
IN their power to weaken that moral
llDuence which the priest in virtue of
ms sublime office. Wields over his
faithful children. Such inconsiderate
creatures seem oblivious TO the fact
taat their wanton recklessness makes
them vigorously amenable to the JUS
riee Of God for all the evil that follows
from this signal breach of religious
obeisance. 1t might cause them aston
lshment to learn that sins of detraction !
in themselves venial. as a rule become /
mortal when directed against Sn &C.
persons. And vet if is so. |
Let them. therefore, remember that. !
though priest may be honored and |
esteemed from personal motives, by
reason Of his special talents or accom- |
pllshments, or Of the eminent position |
he occupies in the literary or scientific |
world, or from any other cause what !
ever. yet all this is merely accidental, !
nor is this esteem Of The kind that is /
due him as a priest No. The su-
bHme dignity with which he is in
vested entities him to a reverence far /
sHrpassing. in degree and kind. any
recognition of his intellectual attain |
rnents or mental endowments. AS a |
priest he is a guide. a physician. and a |
-ather, and as such no person of what |
ever condition he may be, is ever justi- |
led in casting irrelevant reflection on
MS conduct, much less in slanderously /
forging calumnies to the disparagement |
If truth, and the scandal of the fafta- |
5ul word to the wise is sufficient
A. A Mueller in the New World