The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-01-20

exercised no supreme power over the
other Apostles? (Acts viii, t4).
Not at all. For although st. Luke
mentions Peter and John, he sets
Peter first; and in his record of what
happened to Simon, John acts the
second part, and it is Peter alone who
teaches, commands, judges, and con
ClCmns with authority, as the head
and supreme ruler (cf. Acts viii, 49,
%; Allies st. Peter, His Name and
His Office" PIP. 16l-166).
Besides, Josephus tells us that in
the reign of Nero the Jews sent ten
lesatcs of their princes, their high
priest lshmael, and another Jewish
priest We see, therefore, that there
is nothinG incredible in two persons
Of unequal rank being sent on joint
missiCl in those times Riyington,
prcCSce to Allies "St. Peter" p. iXD.
Did Peter act as Pope in the Coun-
Gil of Jerusalem? (Acts KY If SO,
why did James preside, and give the
de5iHitivc sentence?
There is no proof that the Apostle
James presided at the Council of
Jerusalem, or that he decided any
question Whatsoever The Greek
word krino, 4 judge" (xv. 49,, or
Il am Of the opinion" does not i'm
ply any authoritative decision. On
the contrary, we notice that the dis
lutte over circumcision which was
carried on first in Antioch, and re-
neWCd again at the Council, ceased
when Peter arose, declared how he
had been chosen to announce the
Gospel TO the Gentiles, and rebuked
those who were insisting on the OBJ
SCryances of the Old Law. And all
Fho multitude held their peace"
Whoever arises to speak after this
merely confirms what st. Peter said
by narrating the miracles wrought
among the Gentiles, as did ST Paul
and Barn2bas, or citing the prophets,
and suggesting practical remedy of
settling the dispute, as did st. James
Why is it that Paul makes no men,
lion of the Pope when he speaks of
tire various offices in the Church?
q Cor. xii, %, and Eph. iv, ~.
Because it is not the purpose of St.
Paul to describe the hierarchy, but to
show that as in the body there are
different members, so in Christ's body,
the Church, there are different offices
apostles, prophets, doctors, etc.
You could not argue that because the
Council CT Trent declares the hier-
archE to consist of bishops, priests,
and dcacons, without special mention
Of the Pope, it thereby denies his
Nrimacy. Besides. conditions were
vastly different in Apostolic times, for
she Catholic Church teaches that each
Apostle was infallible with and under
the Pope, while to day the plentitude
of Apostolic power OF teaching and
ruling resides only in the Bishop of
Roma.
Where did The Negro originate ?
Why did God make him black?
There arc two explanations offered
for tho black skin of the Negro; one
based on natural causes, the other on
the direct Intervention OF God. We
a~c free to accept either alternative;
CT, We may consider that God used the
secondary causes to intlict the punish.
3cDt lie imposed upon tho defendants
cG liam, who arc supposed to have
migrated to Africa In a word the
Church has defined nothing on the
matter, SO that thus far each may fol
low his own opinion.
The more general opinion is that
the black skin is the natural result of
climate, habits, mode of life, etc. This
theory would seem to be supported by
the fact that some who have lived in
Africa for generations, but are not of
the Negro race, have a skin almost as
black as the Negro.
Il 4 pcrson makes voluntary sacri-
flee Of some right for a specified time
for instance, the wearing Of jeweIry
20 obtain some favor, is she cbIiqed
10 continue the sacrifice after the time
has expired?
When the sacrifice has been con.
tinucd for the. time promised, the con.
tract has been completed and the obi.
cation based on the promise ceases
The rights that existed originally are
restored and may be enjoyed.
Does the Catholic Church permit
ono Of her members to belong to the
Knights and Ladies' of Security?
The Church has not placed any
ban specifically upon this society
But why not join some Catholic
society? Any of them will give
you as much security both temporal
and spiritual as the one mentioned in
the question. Besides your associates
both direct and indirect, will then be
of the same faith which is no small
advantage.
A question concerning the valid
marriage of a convert to the faith can
be answered more satisfactorily by the
local pastor.
What is the population of Russia
and her belongings?
Before the present European wal
Russia had a population considerably