The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-10
JESUIT PRIEST DEFINES GRAND ACT
GIVEN in ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY.
Defends System of Theology as Adopted by Roman Catholic Church
Declares Members Can Hold Opposite Views Just as Chi-
Ans of the United States Differ With Regard to
Methods OF Government.

One OF the Jesuit priests at tho ST. Louis
University has sent to Tn Republic an
article which explains the Grand Act, given
in the ST. Louis University during Dedica-
tion Week.
The article is In the nature of a defense
OF the Theological! system in the Roman
Catholic Church. The explanation is as fol-
lows:
TO many persons who are not Catholics,
and who are unfamiliar with the wide neid
that on many points connected with revela-
ton and Catholic teaching there are not oily
Individual differences between Catholics;
schools maintaining opposite opinions on
certain subjects. Tie question very natur-
ally arises in the mind of the noncatho-
lie: Is not this a contradiction"
The Catholic Church claims unity of doc
trine, and here We have plurality. She holds
that she is inia!lible. and here are Catholic
doctors of theology taking opposite Views of
the sects as a proof OF their fundamental
error in doctrine, while she overiooks the
sects within her own fold, and recognizes
affirm a thesis and those who deny 1t.
This difficulty. which appeals as a Sc
rious one to many. does not at all startle
n Catholic. and for the candid inquirer into
the true relation between Catholic theology
and the Catholic Church, the objection loses
ali its effectiveness. To explain thisr relation
President Roosevelt and ex-President
cleveland, it viii be conceded. are both
genuine Americans. both ardent patriots.
Constitution. and both are devoting their
lives TO its vital preservation and integrity;
ION this common ground they agree. and
thus far they work together tremendously.
Nevertheless. each of these men belongs to
di sfering parties. each looks 10 the welfare
OF his country from an unlike. perhaps an
sible, prevent the other from gaining a po-
sition where his theory could lie put ii;o
practice. President Roosevelt would retain
his party in power; Mr.. Cleyeland would
urseat President Roosevelt. Yet both men.
ms we have said. are Americans of Tie nigh
est type. against whose disinterested love
of country not 4 suspicion can be breathed.
We ell understand the situation very well:
we are not surprised at it. for we are on
one or the other side ourselves. we love
our country We cherish its Constitution. we
obey Its laws: but we do not thereby find
II necessary to agree upon ways and means.
nor need We refrain from argument ana
discussion as to the choice OF this or that
method. since discussion is really intended
to clear up difficulties.
In short. 1t is the case of perfect union
upon essentials and division upon acciden-
tails. or, as the homely saying puts 1t. they
agree to disagree
SITUATION is PARALLEL.
Now. the disagreement of Catholic theo-
losians within the Catholic Church is some
what of a parallel situation in the spiritual
order. The church is a society: it has Its
ferns of government, its spiritual constitu-
ton. its laws. II aims at = definite end and
4. lays down certain teachings that must
be believed before its members can, as chill
6ren of the church. attain that end.
These teachings are the dosmas of the
church, the teachings of faith. every one
of which all Catholics. from the Pope down
to the humblest soul. must either implicitly
or explicitly believe under pain OF exclusion
from the fold.
IF a Catholic willfuily were to reject
one Of these dogmas. he would be consit-
cred and treated by the church just as he
would be treated by his country should he
betray her-as an outcast and a traitor.
And so. Just as all Americans are one in
that fundamental attachment to our land.
so all Catholics must be one in their I'M
questioning adherence to the dogmatic
teachings of their faith.
1T becomes Immediately evident that,
over and above this necessary belief IN
dogma. there is possible a vast outlying
field which is more or less open to discus
sion. For the Catholic Church does not, as
many suppose. demand of her children an
act of faith in everything that pertains to
her religion. She insists upon her dogmas.