The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-28
POPE Plus KS REBUKE.
Condemnation OF RecSIcItrant Christian
Democrats.
From the London Catholic Timss.

From the London CATHOLIC Times
The following letter. in which the Italian
movement known as Autonomou Christian
Democracy is condemned has been addressed
by the Holy Father 70 Cardinal Svamoa-
Archbishop Of Bolognti
My LORD CARDINAL: The circular letter
OF July %, 1904, addressed by our Cardinal
Secretary OF State to the Right Reverend
Ordnaries Of Italy. laid down with such preci-
sion our regulations, particularly with regard
20 the Catholic committees and popular
Christian action, that even those least &C
uuainted with the elements OF the Catechlsm
should have understood that thee cannot be
Catholic action truly so called without i'm
mediate dependence on the Bishops. But,
Just as In the field spoken OF in the Gospel
parable, so also in that OF Catholic action
there has been an oversowing OF cookie, which
grows and suhocates the good grain. ana
this not through the work OF open enemies.
but of those who profess themselves and boast
Of being Catholics. Such are the so-cslled
Autonomous Christian Democrats, who in
the desire for an III understood liberty show
by their action that they shake on all disci
piire; seek after dangerous novelties that the
Church cannot approve Of: assume an au-
thoritative attitude 20 interfere In, judge and
criticiss everything: and go so far as TO cay
they are ready TO bow to infallibiity. but not
70 Weld to the demand for obedience.
IL arguments were desired TO prove that
such persons by the logical development
of their principles have clearly made them
they would be supplied by their statements
at their meetings when they call themselves
independent by what they publish IN Their
work and Jusufying their conduct; finally
by their replies TO the solemn prohibitions Of
such prohibitions do not regard their societies
and their persons, or by their declarations
that the Pope and the Bishops have The right
%, linda NJ RnnnnFnin0 faith
acton act On and therefore that they hold them
are Rrieved in soul TO know that there are
associated with this Autonomous Christian
BemSSSTaGy so many gooL yoRbthS' VINO eSEd9
say with the most compa ssionate affection:
Take care because you are deceived by those
with speeches and do not scTuple 70 conduct
you by way WHICH leads you TO ruin.
great T TePTet we fee FEEL in nG readins papers and
periodicals which, even while calling them
selves Catholic. not only censure the decided
protests Of the Bishops Justly condemninR
the Autonomous Democrats, but dare 10
assail with most insulting inslnuations those
whom the Holy Spirit has placed 70 rule His
Now. a. II has been announced that there
viii be held in tho city OF Bologna a congress
hold most Important deiibetdtions FOR the
purpose OF loudly. proclRimlng their inde-
graph letter:
/. To protest most strongly against the
deoetful statements that the Pope has not
spoken, that the Pope approves, and that
even II he sometimes does utter protests,
these are forced upon him by others;
?. 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:
3. That much less can priests lend their
presence, by which would be provoked thoee
canOntcal penalties which we are determined,
hoggS with sorrow. 20 inflct on the dis
obedient:
4. Finally 10 give warning Of the crave
responsibility assumed by all those who In
any way support this society. which creates
disorder In true Catholic action and does 90
much injury TO poor youths, who. exposed
70 thousand other perils, have such need
Of being unequivocslly Arm In Catholic prin-
ciplcs.
We hope that this complaint OF ours, which
you can make public. will bring the guilty
70 serious reflection and repentance. Mean
while, my lord CARDINAL We impart the
apostolic benedicton 70 you with eGusion
From the Vatican. March I, tsO5.
Plus K, Pope