The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-16
DELIVER
ABLE DISCOURSES
The Rev. Father kerrigan Dis
cuSSes PapaI IntaIIibiIity
VESPERS WELL CHANTED
The Rev. Father Gaffney of Memphis
breaches on the Holy Name of
Jesus-The Sermon Was
Edifying and Stirring.
VESPERS WELL CHANTED

At st. Paurs church yesterday the Rev.
Father Kerrigan preached at high mass
and the Rev. Father Gafrney o. p, of
Memphis, preached at the vespers' serv-
ice at night Both sermons were regard
ed by prominent members of the church
as exceptionally able.
Father Kerrigan's theme was "Papal
Infallibility." In his introduction he en-
phasized the unity of the church and in
the body of the discourse these points
were elucidated ID Peter, chief among
the apostles; % Peter infallible as the
churchs foundation; so Peter infallible
through Christ; "a Peter infallible as
supreme pastor; C) Peters prerogatiyes
descend to his successors. In his eonclu-
sion the priest exhorted the faithful, as
children of the Holy Father, to pray for
the sovereign pontiff.
Father Kerrigan's text was;
"And I say to thee: That thou art
Peter; and upon this rock l will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. And l will give to
thee the keys Of the kingdom of Heaven"
st. Matthew XVII 1919.
Synopsis.
A synopsis of the discourse follows:
The church, the Bride of Christ has
many children; yet she is one in struet-
ure, one In action, one in essence, and
unity above all is her characteristic
mark But unity supposes principle
that excludes division, and behind that
principle there lies great doctrinal truth
which is fraught with vital consequences
to the world at large. That principle of
truth and unity is Peter and the great
dogma which is behind it is papal infalli-
bility; yet what doctrine is more misrep-
resented, what doctrine more misunder-
stood?
Men, shrewd enough in other matters,
seem unable to grasp this, and their diff
fculty arises from the mistaken way in
which they look at it. They confuse one
thing with another and reject papal in
fallibi1ity, because they take 1t to be that
which it is not They fight man Of
straw.
Before stating the church's definition
of papal infallibility let us clear the
ground by disposing of very common
misrepresentation anent this question. In
fallibility does not mean impeccability of
immunity from sim The pope has free
will and can commit sin. He goes to con-
fession veryafrequently.
Now for the church.s definition of papal
infallibility. The pope cannot err, when.
as shepherd and teacher of all Chris
-
faith or morals to be held by the whole
church. For a clearer understanding OF
this definition let us dissect it. The pope
cannot err when--not as a private indi-
vidual, but when speaking as shepherd
and teacher of all Christians, when speak
ing as pope ex cathedra or rom the
chair"-he defines a doctrine, that is, de-
termines the sense of a doctrine, old but
new in dispute. This doctrine must con-
Germ, not mathematics, nor astronomy,
nor physics, but faith or morals, some
thing we are to believe or do. It must be
intended, not for this or that locality,
but for the whole church.
The Holy Name.
Father Gaffneys subject was the Holy
Name of Jesus" The discourse was at
once stirring and edifying. The preacher
dwelt upon the awful sin of blasphemy
and warned Catholics against it. He gave
many illustrations to impress upon his
hearers the reverence due to the Holy
Name. Those who pronounced it rever-
emily would have their reward. Those
who pronounced it irreverently would be
condemned. The Bible story of shibbo-
leth and sbboleth was related with tell
ing effect
The Rev. Father Kerrigan was celebrant
at vespers and the Rev. Father OReilly
and the Rev. Father O'Donnel were in
the sanctuary The music was Gregorian
and was chanted antiphonally by the
boys choir at the altar and the mixed
choir in the gallery. The boys sang re-
markedly well. They phrased intelligent
ly and they kept the pitch.
While the collection was being taken
beautiful duet was sung by Mr. Gels
and Mr.. Bennett and at the benedicton
Mrs Putnam sang '"O'Salutaris.
This was the first vesper service at st.
Paul's In three years, but Father O'Reilly
announced that vespers would hereafter
be sung regularly every Sunday night.