The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-03
BOOK CONDEMNED
AFTER 80 YEARS
Nonsignor Duclcsnc's Ancient
History OF Church" Ordered
Withdrawn.
WORK UNDER DISCUSSION
Prayers Being Said Nj Over
Italy for Recovery Of
Duchess OF .Aosta
BY HENRY WOOD.
Isoeeia! cable 10 The Times. Dispaic


Rome. March e.-The recent condem-
nation by The Holy Congregation Of
tho indeS Of The Anci=nt History OF
the Church" written by Monsisnor
Duchesne. IS the subject of much spec
ulation in Catholic circles hero The
book was published thirty years ago.
and for years had been used rs a text.
book in many of the leading Catholic
schools
The condemnation Of the work was
wholly unexpected, and the real reason
why the Holy Congregation took the
action after thirty years has not yet
been revealed.
Monsisnor puchesne is one Of the
most prominent members of the Ca tn.
ole clergy Two years ego ,e was
elected a member OF the French Acad-
emy largely because of the reputation
which he had acquired BY writing the
BOOK. BY the orders OF the Holy Con-
sregation, no must withdraw the work
from publication. under pain OF excom.
muncation. All Catholics who read
thu work will meet with similar punish
men.
No Opposition TO the work appeared
until abou, two years age when Mon
slgnoT Duchesnc. who was then dire
ter OF the French school at Rome, was
called 10 Paris BY his election TO mem-
bersh!p in tn: French Academy. HIS
history vas then attacked oy a Jesuit
instructor at Florence After series
OF violent articles published in Cath
Ole pape: at Florence. Cardinal De Tai
issued ban prohibiting the further
use OF the book IN Catholic schools.
although the work has been under
more or less public discussion ever
since, II was never dreamed BY lie au-
thor that It would b. condemned BY
the Congregation Of the Index witt. ali
OF the old-;inc rigor and force that
marked the early workings of tina,
BODY. Two days before the pontifical
uecree of condemnation was given out,
Monsignor Duchesne at 4 dinner given
IN his honor at Rome, was twittcd
about the ruino.s that his book ha
been denounced before the Congrega-
ton He laughed heartily at the sug-
gesuon. declaring that III the pr sent
age the cond emnatioa OF work that
had been in circulation for thirty years
and had been accepted BY the Pope and
the best eccl teal authorities. was
utterly Impossible.
Although the cause OF condemnation
is mystery. Monsiynor Duchcsaa him.
self discredits the suggestion that the
action vas taken as slap at France
because he was elected member of
the French Academy. The charge that
II vas because he is '',nodcrrIst"
seems also 10 have been displ wen by
his unhlcrrJshed record for orthodoxy.
In his work Monsignor Ouch -sne do
c!arcd there was no historical proof
that st. Peter was ever in Rome or
that. as the first bishop and Pope, he
handed down the keys of heaven TO
the long line of pontifts that follow 3D.
According 20 the belief OF the church,
st. Peter was the nrst missionary TO
Rome, and resided there for twenty
Ave years. 1t Is believed pretty gen.
orally that the condemnation was based
on the denial Of ST. Peters residence
IN Rome and OF the handing down of
the keys OF heaven, but the mysterious
feature OF the affair is why the congre-
sation waited thirty years before ban
ming the publication.
In an interview Mahsignor Duchesne
said
I'm my own mind and in my own re-.
Ngious belief. there is no doubt tina;
81, Peter came to Rome and founded
the Catholic Church. However, in
writing book that was purely histor-
zeal, and one that would stand the most
rigid investigation. | was compelled to
20 admit that SO far as proof was con-
cerned thera Is no evidence that St.
Peter was ever in Rome"
Prayers are being said all over italy
for the recovery OF the Duchess OF
Aosta, who was stricken with fever
while acting as Il nurse on board the
hospital ship Menf. The duchess Is the
idol of the army. and daily rel orts of
her condition are sent to the soldiers