The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-19

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 First of all let me express sincere re- gret for having wounded the religious susceptiblities of Mr. H. School by my letter of last Monday. l assure him that I would be the last one to throw my hat Into tho theological ring, for l do not think that much good ever comes of any controversy on religious topics lf be- times, by way of the exception proving the rule, any good does come, the em- bittered feelings that are usually engen- dered far outweigh the good. While there fore I have never hesitated to expound and proclaim my own faith and the req sons for the faith that is in me. l have. hope, studiously avoided attacking the cherished beliefs of others. l know that attack causes counter attack, and then there are mutual recriminations and soon those in wordy warfare are
 "Irighting like devils for conciliation,
 And hating each other for the love of
 God"
 Having promised as much I regret that Mir School should have written the letter that appears in Thursday morning s paper, or that he did not confine himself to one or two topics, for his letter treats of the case of Calico, the causes of the reformation, indulgences, the inquistion, St. Bartholomew's Day the innovation of saints, relics and the Scriptures as the sole rule of faith. It is manifestly lm- possible within the limits of a newspaper letter to adequately notice all. To discuss fully and as a scholar. not necessarily an eminent scholar. should, even one of these topics would demand more space than l could presume to beg even the editor or The Age Herald to give me.
 I will, however. beg leave to say few words on some of MT. Schools comments, for he makes the curious remark that MT. Coyle. knowing church history will concede the truth of his comments. If did, needless to say, I would not now be Catholic. much less Catholic priest.
 "rhe Reformation was the revolt of re- ligion against the abuses that were prac- ticed by the church in the name or re- ligion." Nay. rather the causes of the revolt existed from the beginning of the tnf1tl1dn era. lHty tAiot tptdS fDN''f' D the 18th and 14th centuries they expressed themselves in the heresles of Berengarius, the Albigenses, Peter Waldo, Huss and Wycline. They have since continued 10 operate with Protestanism, splitting it up into numbers of warning sects by means of local and provincial reformation moves. The Protestant Reformation In | fact does not differ in cause from the great heresies which preceded il. All had their source in the tendency of the human mind to set private judgment above estab- lished authority whether in religion, law | or letters.
 'Indulgences, selling for cash remission and forgiveness of sins committed" O. no, An indulgence is not remission oi sin, nor d license to commit sin; per son must be In a state of grace, that IS | free at least from mortal sin before an indulgence can be obtained. An indul- gence in remission in whole or in part of the temporal punishment due to sin. Prayer fasting. almsgivng with comics sion and repentance are required, and were required in the famous bull of Leo X. Even admitting that John Tetzel un- duly emphasized almsgivng. the least es- sential of the requisites. still Tetzcl was not the Catholic church. Cardinal Cib- bons tells us, '.retzel's conduct was dis ayowed and condemned by the representa- tive of the Holy See" Consult for denni- ton of indulgences. Webster, the Gen. tury Dictionary. Encyclopedia Brittanica surely unbiased authorities.
 The Inquisirion of infamous note was an institution of the Catholic church. Guzot, in his History of Civilization says 'erhe 1nquiistion was at first more politi- cal than religious and destined rather foI