New-York tribune., 1906-08-12
CHANGES In BIBLE.
Papal Commission Says Pentateuch
Nag Haze Been Modifed.

The Pontifical commission appointed by Pope
Plus X to make an investigation and show the
correct attitude of the Catholic Church toward
higher criticism of the five books of the Old
Testament known as the Pentateuch has made
partial report, which has been approved by
the Pope. Translations have already been made
and are being circulated in this country. The
commission declares that Moses is indisputably
the author of these books, but that. due regard
being paid to the judgment of the Church. it
may be admitted that in the long course of ages
which have elapsed since. their composition some
notifications have been introduced"
This last concession is already causing some
discussion among Biblical scholars. Some would
construe it admission that the Pentateuch
is. after ALL not wholly inspired. In other words,
this concession is looked upon latitude.
which, had IL been made public years ago. would
have aroused the conservative scholars of the
Catholic Church.
Briefly. the report declares that it can be con-
ceded. without prejudice to the Mosaic authen-
ticity of the Pentateuch, that Moses in his works
used sources-that is. written documents oral
traditions-from WITCH. to suit his special pur-
pose and under ths influence of divine inspira-
tion, he selected sdApe things and inserted them
IN his own work, either verbally or in substance.
summarized amplifed.''
The above is taken to mean that the Penta-
teuch was partly compiled by Moses from the
works of other writer's who preceded or were
contemporary with him. Again. the report de-
clares that it need not be absolutely held that
Moses wrote with his own hand or dictated to
ananuenses all and everything contained IN it,"
Further on, the report says II is possible to
admit the hypothesis of those who think that
Moses conceived the work under the influence Of
divine inspiration. and then intrusted the writ
ing OF il 10 some other person persons. but in
such manner that they faithfully rendered his
meaning. wrote nothing contrary TO his will, and
omitted nothing: and that the work thus formed,
approved by Moses as the principal and inspired
author, was made public under his name"
Tho report declares in closing that, due regard
being paid 20 the judgment Of the Church, "it
may be admitted that in the long course of ages
some notifications have been introduced into
IL, such as additions after the death Of Moses,
either inserted by inspired author or at
tached 10 the text as CLOSES or interpreta-
tions; words and forms translated from the
ancient language to more recent language:
and. finally faulty readings to be aScribed to
the error Of amanuenses concerning which it is
lawful to investigate and judge according to the
laws Of criticism"
The report is signed by the Benedictine Father
p Laurentius Janssens and Father Fulcranus
Vigouroux. secretaries of the commission.
The Rev. DR.. Denis j. McMahOn. rector of the
Church of the Epiphany and ex-president of the
Catholic Summer School OF America, was in
formed last night of the substance Of the re-
port He said that while he did not read the
report he of the opinion that the admission
was only a broader statement of an already
cepted doctrine.
''The Church" he said has never believed
that these books were dvinely inspired. word
for word. The Council of Trent, however, did
teach that in substance they were OF divine in
spiratiOn. That Is undoubtedly the meaning Of
the report. The admissions that appear are not
such IN fact They simply popular form of
views that have been held from time to time
They do not take away from the substance Of
the doctrine that these books were diYinely in
spired, This is all care to say at present"