The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-28
When is the Pope infaIIlbIe?

or supreme nGaQ ana ruler VI oil
Christian people-on matter of faith
or morals that is to be believed and
practiced by all Christians. The Pope
makes it very clear when he intends
to bind us by his infallible authority.
How do you reconcile the scientific
theory of the earth's beginning with
the biblical theory that it was made
in six days?
The scientific theory postulates long
periods of time for the work of crea-
ton which, according to the biblical
narrative, required only six days.
From time to time different theories
have been put forward in an attempt
to reconcile the teaching of science
with the declaration of the Bible; but
none of them seems to be entirely sat
isfactory. Few, if any, scholars, in
terpreting the word day in its lit
eral Specification, as period of TWEEN
ty-four hours, maintain that the blbh-
cal record contains "a scientific &C
count of the processes of creation,
which occupied six literal days" Some
seek to harmonic the biblical &C
count with the data of science by
making the day very long period
of time. Others give the word day
an ideal Interpretation, according to
which the author of Genesis did not
intend to convey scientific truth re-
garding the manner in which the
earth was created, but to teach re-
ligious truth.
At the present time, the tendency
among Catholic scholars is to admit
day of twenty-four hours. They
say that in this account the inspired
writer desired to emphasize the fact
of creation, not it's objective Sc
quence; and that he did this by means
of what may be regarded as tabieau
in which he represented the work of
creation as taking place within
week of six working days followed by
a seventh day of rest.
Apart from the fact of creation, the
Church has defined nothing in regard
to this matter. She has not defined
the length of the day" The Biblical
Commission, established by Pope Leo
XIII, in it's responses in reference to
the first three chapters of Genesis,
rejects every view which would re-
gard them as fabulous, allegorical or
legendary. 1t insists on the historical
truth of such passages as touch,
among other things, on the creation of
all things by God in the beginning OF
time. However, it comedies to the
exegete the liberty of following his
own opinion on those points en- which
the fathers and doctors of the Church
have not agreed. He may, if he
wishes, regard the day" as an in
definite period of time.
Since it is not the province of the
Bible to teach scientific truths, we
are free to accept the conclusions of
science whenever they are proved to
be true. The theories and guesses of
science do not concern us.
Why is it that the Sistine Madonna
is now in Dresden?
The Sistine Madonna, which derives
its name, not from the Sistine chapel
in the Vatican, but from the Benedic-
tine Monastery at San Sisto, for which
it was painted by Raphael, was pur-
chased from the original owners in
1854 and brought to Dresden. The
price paid for it was $4,000.
What is the attitude Of the Church
towards the theatrical profession, as a
career for Catholic young women and
men?
> Since the Catholic Church declares
it lawful for people to engage in legiti-
mate amusement, she places no ban on
clean and elevating performances and
plays in the theaters. Hence she is
not opposed to theaters as such, but
only when they pander to depraved
taste by means of indecent and sugges.
tive, if not immoral, shows and exhibit.
tons. Whenever the theater becomes
an occasion of sin or tends to under
mine the morals of it's patrons she for
bids her children to patronize it. The
objection, therefore, which the Church
urges against Catholic young women
and men going on the stage is based
on the moral dangers that usually sur
round such a life. The fact that few
Catholics have passed unscathed
through many years of theatrical life
on the stage shows that it is possible
to live good lives amid such surround
ings. Mary Anderson Mrs. navarro
is a shining example of talented
actress who was at the same time &
fervent Catholic twenty-five year!
ago she was leader in the theatrica
world but she never took part in an!
play that was vulgar or suggestive
Yet in an interview published few
days ago upon her arrival in America
she declares that from her experienc,
of the theatrical profession she woult
not wish to see her daughter becom,
an actress. Her views on this matte
ought to carry weight. AS a genera
rule, it may be said, that it is not ad
visable for Catholic to adopt thi