The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-03-25


Catholic colleges equipped to give
a special course in Astronomy.
Notre Dame University, NntrC
Dame, Ind. and ST. Louis University
Grand Avenue and w. Pine Blvd.
st. Louis, Mo.
What is meant by "infidel science
as used in the article, Popular Apollo
setics" now being published in the
Bulletin? Is this work Popular
ApoIogetics" published in book form
An "Tnfidel," according to the com
mon sense of the word, is one who
does not believe anything super
natural For him the only world
that exists is that which affects the
senses. AS scientist he ignores OF
denies the existence of all things
spiritual, even the human soul. He
proposes to establish the laws of ma
ture without a Law-giver, the order
in nature without a Master, the
beauty in nature without a Designer,
and the world itself without q Maker
This baseless fabric of his imagina.
ton he calls science, and we call, it
''infidel science" The book men
toned is not yet published in the
English language. 1t may be had in
German from the Herder Publishing
Co, st. Louis, Mo.
Are Catholics allowed to believe in
the plurality of worlds?
The existence of other planets in
habited by intelligent beings has been
discussed for many centuries, and
the question is still unanswered.
Some find difficulty in believing that
the whole universe was created for
man alone. Others fancy that the
existence Of another intelligent race
would conflict with the unity of the
human race, which for us is an article
of faith. Thus far, however, the
Church has made no decision, and
each one is free to rejoice in his own
opinion.
Is Catholic who goes through the
form of marriage before a Justice or
any other than a Catholic priest
really married?
The law of the Church in regard
to clandestine marriages, such as that
referred to above, has been promul-
gated in this country since April,
1903. 1t states very clearly that no
one who was baptized in the Catholic
Faith can be married except before
a priest and two witnesses. If one
should attempt to violate this law, he
might go through the form of mar
riage, before some other than a
priest, his community and the State
might consider him to be married,
nut in truth, in the sight of the
Church and in sight of God he is not
married. He is living in concubinage.
Should he afterwards seek a
divorce, this would apply to the law
OF the State; but it would not neces-
sarily exempt him from all claims
that the woman through the natural
law of Justice would hold over him,
A particular case bearing on this sub
Ject, or on almost any other question,
can be treated much more satisfac-
torily by personal consultation with
the local pastor.
Shall we know one another in the
next world; and in the same way as
in this world?
Heaven is the direct and immediate
vision of God. 1t means the final
perfection of all the attributes of the
soul. The most perfect of these
qualities is charity; the direct love
of God and the love of neighbor, be-
cause God loves him. Charity
exists in the highest degree among
the Blessed. The love that they had
for neighbor or relative in this life
will be highly intensified through the
direct vision of God, the source of all
charity. They will all rejoice in one
common happiness, the possession of
God, and in the mutual company of
one another. In each the natural
love for his own, which he had on
earth, will be strengthened, perfected,
spiritualized. The virtues of each
will be a source of joy to all; the
virtues Of those, whom one loved most
On earth, will be for that one a source
Of greater happiness. The mother will
love her child, and the child it's
mother, not only because of the virtue
possessed by each, but also because
of the. mother love and child love
that is heightened by the immediate
glory of God shared by both. The
mother will know her child and the
child his mother.
Is a priest in charge of a parish
paid a fixed salary?
The words "pay" and salary" imply
compensation for work done. The
priest is ordained for the people. In
those things which pertain to God,
he is the servant of the people. Cor
rectly speaking, the services that the
priest renders cannot be compensated
for in material things. Consequently
it is not strictly proper to speak of
paying priest either wages or
salary. He is not a workman en-
gagged at so many dollars a month;
nor professional man entitled to a
fee for each duty performed. At the
same time, st. Paul says that they
who serve at the Altar should live
by the Altar. This living" is all
that the priest wishes. 1t varies of
course in different places, but in all
tho prioct &c willing RI aocop1nondafp