Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-29
POPE Plus KS REBUKE.
Condemnation of Recalcitrant Christian
Democrats.

From the London Catholic Times.
Tho following letter, in which the ltaian
,,,o,,ament known as Autonomous Cnristiah
Democracy is condemned has peen ao-
dressed by the holy father to Caralhai
svampa. archbishop of Bologna:
INV Lord Cardinal-The circular letter Oh
1,,ly % 1904. addressed by our cardihai
secretary of state to the right reverend Or
dinaries of Italy, laid down with SUCH pr
cision our regulations, particularly WIZ
gard To the Catholic committees anu popu
Sor christian action, that even those leasl
aconainted with the elements of the cate
chism should have understood that tneie
cannot be Catholic action truly SO eahSo
without immediate dependence on the plsl-
ops. But, just as IN the nelu SpoN 81 Catb-
the Gospel parable, SO also in that OF cain
oNc action there has been an oVersoWlns
of cookie which grows and sunocates lne
good grain and this not through the WORK
of open enemies, but OF those wno p IolIa'
themselves and boast of being Catholcs.
such are the so-called Autonomous Cm's-
tan Democrats. who in the desire for an
Misunderstood liberty show by their ACTON
that they shake off all dlselpllne seek iitei
dangerous novelties that the church can
not approve of, assume an authoritative
attitude to interfere in, judge and crlticise
everything and go so far as to say they
are ready to bow to infaliibliity put not u
Weld to the demand for obedience.
..If arguments were desired to prove that
such persons by the logical development
of their principles, have clearly made them
selves rebels to the authority OF the church
they would be supplied by their statements
at their meetings, when they call them-
selves independent; by what they publish
in their journals and periodicals defending
their work and justifylng their conuuct'
finally. by their replies to the solemn pro-
hibitions of revered prelates and by their
assertions that such prohibitions do not re-
gard their societies and their persons, or
by their declarations that the pope ana
the bishops have the right to judge of things
concerning faith and morals, but not the
right to direct social action, and therefore
that they hold themselves free to proceed
with their work. We are grleved IN soul 10
know that there are associated with thls
Autonomous Christian Democracy so many
poor youths, who gave the best hopes
Youths to whom we would say with the
most compassionate anection: rake care,
because you are deceived by those who
come around you with fattery, stun you
with speeches and do not scruple to con-
duct YOU by a way which leads you to ruin.
I'VE cannot do less than make known
the great regret we feel in reading papers
and periodicals which, even while Calling
themselves Catholic, not only censure the
decided protests of the bishops justly con-
demnfng the Autonomous Democrats but
dare to assail with the most insulting ;nsin-
uations those whom the Holy Spirit has
placed to rule His church.
Now, as it has been announced that there
gress at which the Autonomous Democrats
will hold most important deliberations for
the purpose of loudly proclaiming their in
dependence, we think 1t necessary to adj
dress to you, my lord cardinal, this entirely
autograph letter.
Il. To protest most strongly against the
deceitful statements that the pope has not
spoken, that the pope approves. and that
even If he sometimes does utter protests,
these are forced upon him by others.
80 To declare that all those who desire to
show not by words but by deeds, that they
are true Catholics should take no part in
this congress
20. That much less can priests lend their
presence, by which would be provoked those
% nonical penalties which we are deter
mined. though with sorrow. to infiiet on the
disobedient.
u. Finally to give warning of the grave
responsibility assumed by all those who in
anv way support this society. which creates
disorder in true Catholic action and does so
much injury to poor youths. who, exposed
n a Thousand other perils have such need
Of heing unequivocally firm in Catholic prin-
ciples. 20 -
which YOU can make public, will bring the
Guilty to serious reflection and repentance.
Gaanwhile. my lord cardinal, we impart the
apostolic benediction to you with effuston
..From the Vatican, March /, 1905.
Plus X, Pope