The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-11-25
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
Very Rev. James C. Byrne.)

In questions relating to marriage
unbaptized persons are called infideIs.
Such in the early days were the
heather, who up to the fifth and sixth
century fingered in remote villages or
pagi and consequently were also called
pagans; such are Turks and other fol
lowers of Mohammed. Into this class
also fall those Hebrews who are
Hebrews by race and not by religion,
and all Catholics who have re-
pudiated or neglected the sacrament
of Baptism. As Baptism is the door
of Christianity, one by Baptism be-
comes a Christian and has an inalien-
institutions of Christ which eventually
make one a perfect Christian; one
has also the obligation to obey the
laws Of Christendom in regard to
faith, morals, and discipline. Without
Baptism in fact or in desire there is
no Christianity.
Origin of the present discipline.
AS Christendom was at all times
permeated or at least in contact with
inf1dels, the danger to the faith from
the contagion of infidelity could not
be overlooked. The example of the
perversion of the kingdom of Israel
and even of Solomon, once the Wisest
of men, by marital relations with in
fidels was ever present. 1t was also
well known that only the sword of
persecution had saved the infant
Church from Gnosticism, which was a
widespread pagan reaction brought
about by pretended or poorly instruct
ed converts from infidelity. Accord
ingly the Christian people determined
sternly to close the door in the face
Of the corrupting intruder. Just as
the people gradually formulated the
doctrine of the Immaculate Conception
and Pope Plus TX was but their mouth
piece, so did they gradually formulate
the stern law against the marriage OF
Christians with infidels. The reading
of the Scriptures in which similar
marriages are denounced, the hair
breadth escape of the early Church
from pagan peryersion, the unseemli-
ness of union between Christian
light and heather darkness together
with the growing experience of the
many evils from infidel unions, despite
some examples to the contrary, were
no doubt factors in forming the Chris
tian conscience III regard to these
marriages. In this manner without
any law of Pope or Council but with
impediment was established between
Christians and none Christians. Such
an impediment makes marriage be
tween them null and void. Nothing
less, it was found, would keep out the
stream of corruption ready to flow in
through the portals of Matrimony.
The self-willed individual might dis
regard this discipline and attempt the
forbidden marriage and thus involve
himself in a life of sin. The threat
of accommodation necessarily soon
followed But ii was judged that as
faith is the life-blood of the Christian
Church, when there is danger oil
gangrene setting in, it is but normal
action to make excision of the affected
member. Whatever may have been
the evil to the individual renegade the
general effect of banning these mar.
riages has been good. Catholic young
people have as a rule refused to marry
any but Catholics or those who arc
willing to be instructed in the Catho
lie faith. Catholic parents have ever
been solicitous TO guard their cbil
dren from entangling alliances with
those outside the fold. All are well
instructed through the catechism and
the pulpit in the perils of such unions