The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-11-11

Iy had now DO the rulers OF Europe
affect the election of Pope?
Since the election af Pope is en-
tirely in the hands of the Cardinals
who are distinguished for their pro-
bity and sincere desire to promote the
best interests of the Church it is diff
cult to understand how any civil ruler
can influence the election of Pope.
It is true that the Emperor of Austria
exercised his privilege of veto at the
late election: and other rulers have
claimed similar privilege. But apart
from that there was no means whereby
they could influence the Sacred Col
lege of Cardinals in the performance
of their solemn duty. This veto power
has been entirely abolished by the
present Pope.
I. There are two persons of the
same age, one of whom leads pious
life, the other a bad life. Both gain
a plenary indulgence after receiving
the Sacrament of Penance. Which is
the more pleasing in the sight of God?
2. Please mention some of the latest
miracles at Lourdes and at St. AIMS
Church, New York? 8. Does a de-
ceased person like it if one mourns
for him very much and seldom feels
happy? Is it right not to celebrate
silver wedding because deceased
member of the family cannot be pres
emit?
/. THIS is a difficult question to
answer categorically. Assuming that
they gained plenary Indulgence after
the reception of the Sacrament which
freed them from sin and it's temporal
punishment, there is then no obstacle
to their immediate entrance into
heaven if they were to die. In this
state both are pleasing in the sight of
God. But since "star differeth from
star in glory it is not unlikely that
the one who labored long and faith
fully in storing up merit is worthy of
a greater reward than he who has
just been converted from his evil
ways. Of course, it may happen that
the one who led a bad life may turn
so sincerely and completely to God
as to more than atone for past negli.
gences and thus merit even greater
reward than he who has led a good
life. The intensity of his new love
for God may more than overshadow
the merit of the one who has been
to Him faithful for years and, perhaps,
under less grievous temptation.
These matters, however, depend en-
tirely on Gods knowledge of the in
tentions of each one and cannot be
accurately gagged by human stand
ards of judgment. 2. One of the
latest miracles at Lourdes was re-
corded in recent issue of The Cath
Ollie Bulletin. We have preserved no
record of other miracles at that
famous shrine. We have seen no
reference of late to miracles at St.
AIMS. Church, New York. 8. The
deceased person is not effected by the
grief of those who mourn for him.
In heaven there is no sorrow or tears,
But while person, through the mercy
of God, is interested in those who
remain he is incapable of expert
encing sorrow on account of their
condition. Whether or not It would
be right to celebrate a silver wedding
under these circumstances depends
largely on the length of time that has
elapsed since the person died. It is
customary not to have festive cele-
brations within one year, at least,
after the death of a member of the
family; but this rule is not absolute.
There is no reason why such an ami
versary should not be celebrated even
though all the members of the family
cannot be present.
Would 1t not be heresy to say that
the Church has ever taken a position
on public questions not touching on
faith or morals, as, for instance, the
initiative, referendum and recall, now
being publicly discussed? 2. Have
not the clergy of the Catholic Church
from Cardinal to country curate, a
perfect right to differ in their political
opinions from the rank and file of
the Church without impairing in the
slightest degree the allegiance due
them from the Iaity in spiritual mat
tiers? 8. Is 1t not a mark Of laziness
or ignorance, rather than of piety, for
a layman to wait until he hears his
pastors opinion on purely political
questions and then to adopt the same
Immediately? On the contrary, are
Catholics not morally bound to cudgeI
their brains individually that they
may be able to arrive at an honest
opinion on matters pertaining to the
public welfare2
1. 1t would not be heresy to make
such statement, although it would be
without foundation in fact, for the
Church has never considered it part
of her mission to teach politics. The
most that she ever does is to lay
down the fundamental moral prin-
ciples that may be involved in certain
political issues and to warn her fol