The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1918-07-06

TTl HE most serious objection to what IS
Xxi known as the Roman Catholic church
| ISl.I is not to be found in what its theology
includes or excludes but in its po-
htical practice and in its philosophy con-.
cerning human life and human relations.
This becomes evident when we read those
edicts laid down by the 'infallible" popes for
the regulation Of every Roman Catholic on
earth. EIs
Perhaps none Of the popes has had more
to say concerning matters that are funda-
mental to American life and American gov
ernment than Leo XIII whose long porlti-
ficate came to close well within the present
century. It is wholly unnecessary to,
go back to medieval popes to find the
autocratic and anti-American spirit. It ia
part Of popery and persists in the latest Of
the papal line as among his predecessors.s
In the first year Of his reign, Leo pub
lished an encyclical letter son the Evils Az
fecting Modern Society: Their Causes and
Remedies" (9). Chief among these evils,
in the estimation of the pope, is what he re-.
fers to as Selling of the temporal power.
conferred many centuries ago by Divins
providence on the bishop of Rome. that heT
might without let or hindrance use the All.
thority conferred by Christ for the eternaI
welfare of nations" (11).
In plain English, without frills or fl,rbe-
lows, the pope says that the chief evil of
modern society was the act of the Italian
people when they declared their political IN
dependence of the former pope. Plus TX. and
established an Italian nation on the territorg
OF the papal states. And the papal remedy
Tor that evil is made plain in the foi-
lowing: (15). M
We cannot omit In the discharge of 1ur d,+x
which obliges Us to guard the rights Of Holv Chrcb
70 renew ana confirm in every particular bv thia
Dur Letter those declarations and protests which
Ilus "A, OF sacred memory, Our predecessor, o.,
many ana repeated occasions published against tha
selzing OF the civil sovereignty and the infrinre.
ment of rights belonging to the Roman Church.
with these words Leo re-asserts INA
right Of the papacy to rule in civil as well
as spiritual affairs Furthermore. he makes
it clear that, in his belief, the restoration os
the popes' temporal power is the essential
remedy Tor the greatest evil affecting mod
ern society. = \, n
How much that sounds like one Of onr
own politicians declaring that all evil win
cease and all wrongs will be riphted when
ne, the speaker, is elected to congress. II Il
nothing more or less than political clain,
served with sugar-coatinr Of relicious va,-
biage. The three succeeding pones incI,,d.
ing the present Benedict XIV, urge the iden-
ticai claim 10 temporal power; and Benedict
now seeks place in the peace congress to
follow the great war as a means Of securing
realm TO rule in the king-like way Of the
ancient and medieval pontiffs.
And don't mistake the force and bearins
OF what pope says in these official docus
ments. When Leo says (80l eve hold
upon this earth the place Of God Almighty
and demands the restoration Of his power as
temporal ruler, he expects every Roman
Catholic on earth to support him in thas
claim; and every Roman Catholic, with suf-
ficient intelligence to understand his own
profession Of faith, is bound to do it.
II the slogan adopted by the knights Of
Columbus Make America Roman Catholic
Is ever realized the popes will rule this cour-
try-whether directly or indirectly makes as
difference, for it means that papal teaching
viii become Crystallized In every social 81.
stitution; and popery will reign supreme
temporarily as well as spiritually, over tbs
ruins Of all 1t now condemns.
Let US now note few of the many things
which Leo condemns In his capacity as the
infallible divinely appointed authority 81
faith and morals, and as holding the place
Of God on earth.
It is quite unlawful to demand, 10 defend. a.
70 grant unconditional freedcm Of thought Of speae
q Tritns Ing. 2 = q Eor.hp g these ysss % ma
In one short sentence this pretender q,
rulership Of the earth by divine right sweeus
away every American claim to rights ruaE
affand nv Amariran law TrnafJry,, 40 .olt 81