The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-24
ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE
CHURCH OF CHRIST AND
OBEDIENCE THERETO.
TIMOTHY, BY THE MERCY OF
GOD AND THE GRACE OF THE
APOSTOLIC SEE, BISHOP OF
CRookSToN.
To the Venerable Brethren. of the
Clergy and the Beloved Brethren of
the Laity Of Our Diocese, Peace and
Benediction in Christ Jesus, Our
Lord.
Dearly Beloved Brethren:

Dearly Beloved Brethren:
The true source of modern evils is
the minimizing, despising and reject
ing of the authority of the one true
Church, the divinely appointed guard
ian of faith and morals Some Catho-
lies entertain false principles as to the
position of the people in religion and
politics, the people, to whom appeal
is made as to final tribunal for the
solution of the gravest questions
Others discuss theology as freely as
the most ordinary problems, unmind-
full that theology is the most difficult
of all sciences. It is most ridiculous
for human being to treat a subject
of which he knows little or nothing
Some individuals speak of Catholic
doctrine, practices and discipline, re-
gardless Of the mind of the Church
and her legitimate representatives.
Placing the Church almost on a level
with human institutions, they would
have her harmonic with modern
thought and progress. The laity, they
claim, should possess a right In the
government of the Church, hold and
administer her property. The learned"
Catholic, imagining himself above reli-
glUus knowledge, or ashamed to be
found reading Catholic book or
paper, would proclaim that the Church
cannot Withstand modern discovery.
Her immutabIe dogmas must be re-
formed, yield to modern progress or
become extinct. Such would remain
Catholics, though disbelieving one or
more truths of our Holy Faith. The
ecclesiastical authorities, according to
the liberal Catholic, unable to under
stand the modern world, are misgov-
erning the Church. A traitor in the
camp, the liberal Catholic sides with
the world, disposes of the doctrine of
the Church without Difference to her
authority and would apologize for the
practices, and the very existence of
the Church. Liberal Catholicism, any
thing but sincere and outspoken, would
reconcile the Church with the world.
The bold assertions of men of
Science" the weakened Catholic
receives with reverence, but the guild
ance of the Church he barely mentions
with ordinary patience. The simple
ignorant Catholic, who reads or
knows little or nothing about religion,
fears the Church might commit herself
and err and doubts her ability in deal
ing with mankind. Imbued with the
spirit Of the age, and allowing demago-
gues to think, act and speak for him,
he would sacrifice religion for tenn
poral advantage. The liberal Catholic
will appeal to public opinion for pre-
tended grievances. At variance with
the practices, the laws and spirit of
the Church, he will conform to the
fashions of the hour for fear of social
ostracism. No matter whether they
offend his Catholic conscience, he win
not wound the tender feelings of his
nom Catholic friends, under the plea
Of civility. No dependence ON others,
no subsection, no obedience, such is
the cry on all sides. Human liberty
is limited, unlimited liberty is license.
Absolutely independence belongs to
God alone. Ignorant pride, neglect of
prayer and Of the reception OF the
sacraments, missing Mass, not hear
ing the Word OF God, and especially
not listening to the preaching of the
four last things, death, Judgment, hell,
and heaven, the remembrance of which
Holy Scripture recommends: "In all
thy works remember thy last end and
thou shalt never sin,"-behold the
causes OF liberal Catholicity.
The conduct of liberal Catholics is
ordinarily attributable to the ignor-
ance or the true character of the
Church Of Christ and OF the relation
OF individual members TO her author
ity, the power Of the word of God
spoken by divinely appointed and
living men.
Christ the Divine Teacher.
God, I'm His Wisdom and bounty, did
not leave mankind to the guidance OF
private judgment I'm the most import
ant of all matters, the salvation of inn
mortal souls, but promised the pres
ence and authority Oh Divine teach
er, who shall remain ON earth until the
end or the world. This Divine Teacher M
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