The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-06
CATHOLIC CLERGY IN
 CONFERENCE HERE.
Rev. Robert J. McQuillen Presides-Meet In St.
 PauPs RectOry

Catholic clergy of northern Alabama was called to order in St. Pauls rectory yes terday at 3 D. m
 In the absence of the Very Rev. Dean O'Grady, who was unavoidably detained. the Rev. Robert J. McQuil- len presided. having been unanimously moved to the chair by the clergy pres ent. After prayer Father Coyle read Ia paper on the Peptateuch. establish ling the genuinity and integrity of the books of Moses. He glanced briefly at the many modern theories of the higher critics and showed how untenable these are, even when the canon of criticism-of higher criticism itself is linvok ed.
 The declarations of the Biblical com mission promulgated in 1906 were elab- | orated on. Father Coyle closed his paper by pointing out that while Genesis is not scientific treatise on geology or paleontology, still the re- Nealed truth of the sacred book and the scientific truths of geology and it's kindred sciences cannot contradict one another, all truth having God for It's author.
 Father McQuil1en read the next paper, which was an essay on dogmatic l theology treating with the providence | of God. In masterly way he justified the ways of God with man" and | showed how the God of goodness has provided ways and given graces to all men. to all without exception, whereby salvation may be gained. Here he clearly explained the famous axiom that causes our non-Catholic friends much concern. Extra ecclesiam non datur salus-outside the church there is no salvation He pointed out that far from being a mark of bigotry and narrowness, the axiom showed the charity and love of God and the church of God, since no man dare say who belongs to the church. that is, to the soul of the church. and who does not. In the concluding portion of his inter esting paper Father McQuillen showed how the existence of miracles and the l efficacy of microscopy prayer conflicts in nowise with the immutability of Gods everything providence.
 An essay which was said to be ex- l tremely timely was that on the con- lessor, read by Father Downs of St. Vincents hospital He expounded in distinct manner the duty of the soul physician and gave the rulings of ap- proved theologians regarding the denial l of absouton and the conditional inn parting of the same in certain extra ordinary cases were also treated and Father Shultz highly approved of the paper.
 The essay by Father Turner was the  a subject with which Father Turner has the reputation of being thoroughly 1 familiar. It dealt with the duties and obligations of pastors of souls. In a brief but lucid brochure he explained
 the necessity of pastors of souls ob serving residence in the midst of the parish. He showed when the Sunday sacrifice should be duplicated and after few words on the necessity of clear
 explanation of the Sunday catecheti- cal instruction of the young, he con cluded by some practical observations on church finance. Father Downs, Father Canepa and Father OKelly dis cussed this subject and the other papers read, and after prayer by the pre- siding dean pro tenn the meeting ad- journed.
 Father McQuillen expressed the opln- ion that the papers. which will be for warded to the right reverend bishop for approval, were of more than ordinary interest and evidenced care, study and research.
 The following are the senior priests who attend the north Alabama confer lences: Rev. John W. Bratton, St. Clem- ent's church, Woodlawn; Rev. John B.. Canepa, Chiesa al San Marco, East Thomas; Rev James K. Coyle. St. Paul's church, Birmingham; Rev. James s. Downs, St Vincent's hospital. Bir- mingham; Rev. M. F.. Kitrick, St. . Aloysius church, Rfssemer; Rev. Paul Klich, St staNislau's mission, Wylam; Rev. Robert J. McQuillen, St. Anthonys church, Ensley; Rev. John lOKelly, Our Lady of Sorrows church, Birmingham; Rev. Jerome M Shultz, St. Augustine's church, North Birming- ham; Rev Oswald P. Stah1, St. James church, Gadsden; Rev. Andrew L. Sweeney. St John the Baptist church, Tuscaloosa, Rev Patrick Turner Church of the Blessed Sacrament, West End Rev. Charles E. Reilly. Our Lady Immaculate church, Birmingham.
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