The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-06-26
The MAGMA CHAR I 4.
THE PART THE CHURCH PLAYED
IN SECURING THIS GREAT
CHARTER or HUMAN LIBERTY.

IN SECURING THIS GREAT
CHARTER or HUMAN LIBERTY.
Tuesday, June fifteenth, was the
seven hundredth anniversary of the
signing of the famous Magma Charta
So much misunderstanding has arisen
in regard to this remarkable docu-
ment and, as in many places, the
event was celebrated by sermons,
speeches and much talk, few
thoughts of it are opportune, writes
H. B. Shaw in the "Unicn and Times
of Buffalo, N. Y.
For the proper understanding of
medieval documents or events, one
must have some knowledge of medic
val theology, customs and canon law.
1t is absolutely necessary to appreciate
the spirit of the Ages of Faith-their
moral complexion-be one can
Judge adequately of their import or
rightly estimate thir worth. In other
words, it is essential to possess sense
of proportion in reading history. Many
critics of the Church and her Supreme
Pontiffs, have generally shown Woe
full lack in this regard. He alone 1--WE
make bold to say can acquire this
virtue to any degree who is in init
mate connection with. and has not
broken entirely from the past. The
Catholic, a member of the institution
that alone makes sense of history, can
best know the character of events in
her history-made his own by his
initiation into her life and experiences.
The Catholic Church coming down to
us as a living organism, never losing
touch of any age, at every moment
keenly awake in her conscious exist
ence of nineteen centuries, seeing as
she did the beginning and the close of
the medieval period, is able to put one
in the proper frame of mind for think
ing correctly on the Middle Ages.
In years to come, a veteran of the
great European war will best describe
it's battles, for they are part of his
own history. He understands their
setting.
A New Declaration of Rights.
1t is not strange, then, that we fire.
qeuntly hear from the mouths of non
Catholics, statements about the Mid
die Ages that do not harmonic with
the truth, although their semblance to
| it deceives many. Historians, writer's
and preachers, wholly unsympathetic
and thus out of touch with that won
derful period of human activity, are in
no sense capable of interpreting it
except falsely. Facts may be open to
them as to all, but they miss their
meaning. From such come forth as
sertions that Indulgences Cat least)
we're permissions to sin, or that the
Popes were ever opposed to true lib
erty of the people. A prudent man,
therefore, can well discount their ut
terances.
The events that induced King John
of England to affix his royal seal to
| the Great Charter of Liberties, are
we'll known. Every school child has
heard of that wonderful meetings of
the king and the Army Of Cod and
Holy Church. The barons, people
and churchmen, tired of the kings
cruel tyranny, took steps to have
| their ancient liberties restored John
had lost what popularity he had by
the defeat of his armies in France; by
his enormous taxes and his intolerable
habit of taking hostages from com
munities that rose in revolt. So when,
on the 18th of June, 1915, the people
represented by the barons and their
large force of retainers in the presence
of the chief clergy of the realm,
wrung from the hands of this I'M
willing monarch Cat least a paper
guarantee of their rights, there was
great rejoicing throughout the coun-
| try.
The charter was rehearsal of prin-
ciples of long standing. 1t served as a
treaty Of peace between the king and
the people. Great social and political
advantages were gained and democ-
racy is the stronger for the victory.
In ecclesiastical affairs the Church Of
England was declared to be free and
| her liberties inviolate. This last in
terests us directly, for it is the asser-
ton of an ancient right established by
the divine law of Christ. The Church
ever stood for freedom of action. Lib
erty is the end and it is also the inn
mediate consequence of faith. Gregory
VII against Henry w; st. Anselm
against Henry / fought for the prin-
ciple. Magma Charta re-affirmed it
through the energies of the Arch
bishop who had taken common cause
with the people The declaration
meant freedom from State and royal
interference in matters spiritual.
John had need of such reminder of
the Church's position.
The Attitude of the Pope.
1t will be remembered, it was on
June 20, 1913, that John became a
vassal of and handed over the realm
of England as fief to the Holy See.
Now by the medieval law, according
to feudal custom, this act made the
Pope the real immediate superior of
the king who then held his throne and
ruled his kingdom at the will of the
Pope. 1t is not question here of
notwithstanding approval or disap-
prevail of this mode of action. We
must take the ideas that actuated and
governed the people of the time.
Again, the Pope as suzerain of the
king, was prepared to stand by him
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