The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-05
Archbishop Must Take Up
the Catholic Encyclo-
pedia Tangle.
ARTICLE BY HANNA
CAUSED TROUBLE
Young Professors Explanation Well
Received, But Leaves Ques-
ton Still UnSolved.

Now that Archbishop FarIey's arrival
IN New York IS but a few days distant,
interest grows in the solution of the
tangle into which the Catholic EncyclO-
pedia is now involved. The archbishop.
II is said. will have full authority to
take the matter into his own hands, and
70 readjust the difficulties as ne sees
1T The work Is published within his
Jurisdiction and under his imprimatur.
As the case is understood at present,
IN tie first volume of the encyclopedia
IS an article by the Rev. Edward A
Hanna, professor Of theology in St. Ber-
nard's Seminary, Rochester, n. Y, on
''Absolution." which has been unequivo-
Cally condemned by the Roman authori-
ties. The portions which the congregation
OF the index called into question were
contained in the words IN the opening
paragraph Of the article, and are But II
IS one thing to assert that the power
of absOlution was granted to the church
and another to say that the full reaIi-
cation of the grant was IN the conscious
ness of the church from the begin
ming"
Contrary to Belief.
These words have been declared con-
tlary to Catholic belief and against Cath
Ole doctrine and the accepted dogma
One reverend commentator from Rome
Bays that to follow DR.. Hanna would
be to admit that those who live today
are IN better spiritual shape and get
more Illuminating doctrine, than those
who were taught by the Apostles.
The article was so sharply reproveo
that IN the July number Of the Catholic
ticle, explanatory Of the article on Alb
solution This is called the Power or
the Keys and 1t received appreciation
from those who condemned the essay
on ''AbsoluiOn." But the problem which
cOnfronts Archbishop Farley. and which
demands Immediate solution, is whether
the editofs of the encyclopedia can be
permitted TO leave the article in the first
volume unexplained. 1t has been sug-
gestsd as a solution that every sub
scriOer be furnished with the article on
the Power OF the Keys" and a short
account Of the history Of tho COntrO-
versy.
1t Is conceded that a book OF reference
which stands so high as this encyclO-
ped1a cannot rest under the reprOaCh or
disseminating Catholic doctrine which
IS under the ban Of Rome. Then, no
one believes that the archbishop Of New
York, who guards his reputation for
conservatism, will permit a publication
which has secured his Endorsement to
continue In his favor without making
some public explanation of the errors
in the article on 'AbsOluuOn-"
Modern Tendency.
The pu:Ic opinion OF the Catholic press
and Of the Catholic laity generally is
that every tendency toward modernism
be wiped out Of the American church.
The American hierarchy IS on record at
the annual meeting last spring Of prom
Using TO uphold the Pontif in the war
H. had declared again against this
latest enemy Of Catholicism. For this
reason. not only the encyclopedia, but
several other Catholic qualifications
convicted Of too liberal views, must
follow certain specific directions, which,
It is thought, Will soon be enforced
from Rome.
The future Of DIT. Hanna is Il queS-
ton which IS causing keen anxiety.
According to the instructions of the
Pope, no man who is proven TO have
mOdernistiC tendencies can continue to
hold a PROFESSIONAL chair IN a theOlOgt-
cal institution II is conceded that DR..
Hanna lost his chance to become CO.
adJutOr Archbishop Of San Francisco
because OF the nature Of the doctrines
which he advanced in the Catholic Re
view and in the Catholic Encyclopedia
j lie question OF MS future mas diEtaUy
been made the subject Of correspond
euce between Bishop McQuaid, Of ROch-
ester, and the authorities in Rome. It
is believed that the learned young
priest will be given a good parish. and
that when he has compiled with Ger
tain obligations required by Rome, he
will again be allowed 10 resume both
teaching and writings He is held IN
the highest esteem by the scholars or
the American church and the present
cloud under which he rests IS deeply
deploTed-
Aged Bishop Grieved.
II Is said that the aged Bishop OF
Rochester IS all but heartbroken over
the incident. His seminary IS one of
the best equipped in the country, and
he has the privilege OF comforting the
highest degrees in theology The Roch-
ester prelate has always been hostile
10 the Catholic University at Washing
ton. D. c., and the history OF his
famous controversy with Archbishop
Ireland, Of St Paul, forms one Of the
most stirring chapters in recent &c
ClesiGstical history.