The Washington herald., 1907-09-17


and important enCyclical Of Pope Plus on
Modernism reached Washington yester-
day afternoon and was eagerly read in
clerical circles and by those interested
in this latest contest Of the Vatican
against the so-called liberal or rational
movement in the Catholic Church. The
general opinion among Catholics seems to
be that Pope Plus in this encycIicaI com
pletes and puts into execution the work
Of defense and restoration which his
predecessor began. Although it was ad-
mitted that the document was firm, and
even stern, in its context, no apprehen-
sion is felt among the local clergy that
even small schism viii result.
Several Of the prelates seen objected TO
the word modernism as an unfortunate
translation, and one which would give
the impression that the church is reac-
tionary and clings adhesively to medieval
ideas. and that it is opposed TO legitimate
modern thought and progress. According
10 the best sense Of the local Catholics.
the eneyclical condemns modern aberra-
ton rather than modern studies. which
are advanced but not in opposition to the
church.
The encyclicaI seems to be aimed at the
modern rationaIistic school which has
lately sprung up in Germany, and against
a welI-known English divine and his fol-
lowers.
As the fun text Of the encyclicaI could
not be procured last night. no elaborate
review Of il could be obtained.
Rev. Father Mneksey's Views.
Rev. Charles Macksey. prefect of studies
at Georgetown College, and admitted 10
be the most profound theologian among
the younger members of the Society OF
Jesus, hesiteted TO express an opinion OF
the document until the fun text was
placed before him. He, however. con-
sented 10 explain the points most likely TO
he moOted. ana expressed himself as i'm
men5ely pleased win the encycliCal as
outlined in the first reports.
"The heaviest armament of the church
has ever been aimed against the teaching
Of ratiOnalistic philosophy and the ten
dency to destructive criticism in theOlOgi-
cal teaching. The encyclicaI, in a sense,
IS not new It's context has always been
IN the hearts of true Catholics, and until
lately it may not have been necessary 10
enunCiate il. Remember that I am as
suming that the press reports of this
enCyclical are correct. and am speak king
with restriction.
The Vatican is attempting 10 make its
condemnation Of this so-called liberal ten
dency effective. and 10 safeguard the
faithful by pointing out errors before they
are spread broadcast, and also by intro
ducins methods which wiz prevent the
spread of such errors. The Pope appre-
hends peril in this liberal and essentially
Tatonalistic school
Defends Mass of Churchhen.
He fears not so much for the scholars
OF the church who may reject what they
can easily see TO be wrong. b1,t he is de-
Tending the mass of the people who are
untutored in theology, and who have alb
solutely need of guidance. Errors may
be promulgated in Catholic educational
institutions, in Catholic papers. and in
the Catholic pulpit. but these are under
the authority Of the Pope, and these he
has resolved viii give no sanction TO in
correct and captious theories.
He insisted that no professor holding
these theories shall teach in Catholic
schools: that the liberal movement shall
be prohibited in all Catholic teachings.
and that every book written by a cleric
shall be sanctioned by cens0rs before
being given TO the public. He likewise
deems il best that Catholic ecclesiastical
congresses 81 l.s
al some time or other lead to the ex-
preston OF liberal views He will allow
10 cleric 70 edit a paper unless he con
forms 10 the dogma OF the church"
Held 30 be Binding.
When asked if this encycHcal was bind
ing on the Catholics and whether they
had TO give inward assent to the PROPOSE
tions laid down in the recent encyclical.
Father Macksey said:
IN the strictest sense, neither the syl-
labus nor the encycHcaI are spoken 'ex
cathedra, that is. with infallibility. but
they are binding on Catholics, Just as an
obedient child is bound to follow the pre-
cepts Of its father If a writer insisted
on producing theories which are mani
festly false, he could not claim to be a
Catholic nor would he be recognized. as
such. The encyclicaI does not demand in
ward assent, since it commands only ex-
ternal acts"
Father Macksey seems confident that
but few dissenting voices viii be heard
against the document, and he SAYS that
the question of q schism Is too remote to
be given consideration. He said that he
thought it was not directed against any
particular country, bat against the ra-
tiOnalists Of all countries, and that the
new orders would be put into effect
quietly
When asked what he thought would be
the result if some American professors
We're told that their works savored of
ratiOnalism by the CensOrs, he said that
IN his opinion the professors would either
accept the corrections or resign He said
further that in his opinion many Of the
ratiOnalists would see that the theology
OF the Sacred College was immensely too
weighty FOR them to combat. and that
they would surrender gracefully.
The general head Of the encyclical de-
crees that philosophy and theology here
after must be taught in the Catholic
Continued on page 3, column 2.
Congressional, 80 10th, Celebrated fer