The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-23
THE POPE BANS MODERNISM
Tells Bishops to Tear Bad Books
From the Faithful.
Lead to Atheism-Clergy and Laity
Are Warned in Papal Encyclfcal
Just Published.

Rome, Italy.-Tne o~sseryatore Ri,-
mano, organ of the Vatican, Issued an
important encyclical Of Pope Plus on
Modernism" which really is q conl-
pletion Of his recent syllabus. Tie
document declares that modernism ist
a serious danger to the Church, refers
in detail to the various features of
modernism, condemns 1t as danger
Gus in philosophy, faith, theology,
history, criticism and reforms, and arr
rives at the conclusion that modern
ism is a synthesis Of all heresyf and
must logically lead to pantheism.
The encyclical makes the. following
provisions: 4
First-The teaching Of philosophy,
positive theology, ETC., Is to be car
ried on in the Church schools ard
universities, but in e Catholic spirit,
Second-Modernists are to be re-
moved from professorships and the
direction of educational institutions.
Third-The clergy and faithful are
not to be allowed to read modernists
publications.
Fourth-A Committee OF Censor
ship Is to be established In. every do
cese to pass upon the publications
which the clergy and faithful shall be
permitted to read.
Fifth-The encyclical OF the late
Pope Leo XIII, prohibiting the clergy
from assuming the direction Of publ
cations without their Bishops per-
mission, and providing for super
vision of the work Of ecclesiastical
writer's, is confirmed.
Sixth-Ecclesiastical Congresses,
except on rare occasions, are pro-
hibited.
Seventh-A council IS to be con-
stituted in every diocese to combat
modern errors.
The encyclical occupies seventeen
column the O~sseryatore Romano.
It goes at great length into the phtlozs
sophical and theological aspects of
the modernist errors of the Church..
which are unequivocably condemned.
The encyciical holds that the
pride, curiosity and ignorance OF scho-t'
lastic philosophy are the causes OF
modern -.
In concluding the Pontih says he
foresees that the adversar' sof the
Church will take advantage OF this
encyclical to represent him as the en-
envy of science, progress and human
ity. To that accusationb he says, he
replies by acts. He has decided to-
support by every means In his power
the foundation of an institution
which shall group the most Illus
trious representatives of scieEceS
among the Catholics, and which shall
have for its object to favor with
Catholic truth for light and guide
the progress of all things designated
under the names of science and cru
dition."
No Papal utterance oGgLeo XIII.
carried with. it greater discourage
ment Of advanced thought. Nobookii
or newspapers of modernist tendency!
may be left in the hands OF any pupil
In the universities or seminariesa
There is much speculation as to
whether the encyclical Is aimed at
one country more than another. Some
regard it as specially directed against
France, while others hold that tho
United States is aimed at, but 1t mar
be doubted whether the Pope was In
luenced by any national considers lhlT
tons.
Modernism has great vitality In
Italy itself, where many learned
priests have been removed from pro-
f~essorial chairs in recent years for
favoring it, although without any ap-.
parent effect in supprcssing It.