The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-23
CATHOLIC CLERGY
HOLDS CONFERENCE
Members North Alabama
Deanery Meet Here
PAPER ON CANON LAW
Interesting Paper on Scripture Read
by the Rev. Father Sweeney.
Dogmatic Theology Ably
Treated by Father Coyle

Yesterday at 3 p M. the Catholic
clergy of the North Alabama deanery
met in the parochial residence of st
Paul's church. the Very Rev. Henry
u. oGrady, dean of the district, pre-
siding.
After prayer by the Very Rev. Dean,
The Rev. Father Sweeney read an In
teresting paper on scripture. He took
as his subject the Epistles of st. Paul.
lie compared the authentic and the
apocryphal letters of the great apostle
of the Gentiles Afterward he showed
the relation that exists between the
Pauline apostles, the gospels and tho
acts of the Apostles He brought forth
many parallel passages and showed the
identity of doctrine found in these vari-
Gus works. Father Sweeneys essay
was heard with close attention and the
Very Rev. Dean complimented him on
the scholarship shown by the paper.
Dogmatic theology, a condemnation
of the holy eucharist insofar as it is a
sacrifice, was treated by the Rev. Faith
er Coyle in a brief but informing pa
per. He defined sacrifice in general
and then showed how the mass is
really and truly sacrifice, but it is
moreover the same sacrifice as tho
sacrifice of Calvary; how the priest and
the victim are identical, the ends Of
both sacrifices the same, and only the
manner of offering different.
Father Reilly read brochure on
Moral Theology" He had for his sub
ject the second great precept of the
law-1ove of our neighbor. He treated
in detail the manner. of showing ef-
tectively charity TO others. lie enum-
Grated the spiritual and corporal works
of mercy and showed by practical Illus
tiation, supported by Biblical reference,
how we may each of us perform these
works, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
lie showed. moreover, how a1msgiying,
spiritual and temporal almsgiving. brings
happiness to the giver and how, as
giving to the poor is lending to the
lord" The Lord being good security,
will see to it that the almoner loses
not, even in things temporal and ma
-erial.
The Rev Father Bratton criticised
the paper, and objected that while there
was an abundance of scriptural quota
tion.. sufficient reasons from a theo-
logical standpoint, or from the stand
point of pure reason weN not adduced.
Tho Rev. Father Stahl warmly defend
ed the paper and held that the paper
was complete and satisfactory. After a
general discussion pro and con in which
the Rev. Father O'Kelly and the Rev.
Father Canepa brought forward argu-
ments in contravention to the argyll
nents of Father Bra ton. the clergymen
present decided that the paper was in
strict accord with the thesis proposed
and that to treat the matter as Father
Bratton would have IL treated would be
going beyond the bounds laid down In
question of moral theology,
The Rev. Father McQuillen next read
n comprehensive paper on canon law.
His subject was ecclesiastical penal
ties. lie clearly distinguished the va
rious penalties whereby the church
Furnishes those who violate her or
dinances and offend against her laws
lie defended the right of Hle church to
make such laws and to see that they
are when necessary put into effect.
His paper was considered marvel OF
clarity, considering how intricate and
obscure the matter is. The Rev. Father
Kitric< took objection to a few points
hut again the majority of the priests
present upheld the thesis as pTopound-
ed by Father McQuillen.
After an informal discussion on mat
ters of general interestTin which all
present participated, the Very Rev.
/ Dean brought the meeting to close