The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-01-25
BELIEFS THAT ARE OPEN TO
as DISCUSSION.

e.
: In replying to the query of reader
on the subject of the Sabbatine Privi-
'lege, Rev. Ernest r. Hull, S. j., the
learned editor of the Bombay Exam
liner, makes some remarks on the topic
Indicated in the title of the present
paper, which we think our readers will
be glad to have us reproduce, because
they are, apt to be of general utility.
He says: Ill., ..-,..
1T, is acknowledged on all sides
among educated men that things; of,
this kind fall altogether, outside the
range of Catholic belief properly so
called. They form no part. of the
teaching of the Church, and are not
guaranteed by ecclesiastical authority.
They are questions of fact which
dence, and are. open to free discus
sion. This is the first point to, make
clear. ..sis../.
ION the one hand, there are some
who have examined into the evidence
and, drawn conclusions against them.
There are others who, in spite of
these critical reasonings,. continue to
think that the belief will stand.
Others again maintain middle atti-
ttide of doubt g.
These three positions are all legiti-
mate from a Catholic point of view.
The believing attitude is not supersti-
tious, nor is the unbelieving attitude
hertieal or impiOus-becallse it is all
a. question of weighing the evidence
and judging accordingly. If this point
is well understood the rest. is of no
/" Importance. We do not like to see
people defending doubtful beliefs with
pugnacious tenacity and calling into
question the piety OF orthodoxy Of
those who reject them. Nor do we
like those people who ferociously at
! tack such beliefs, and abuse as SUI
perstitious or over-credulous those
who uphold them.
I'm such. matter the Catholic
Church leaves a. free field for differ
ences of view. But what we consider
to be a matter of glorious Importance
is the recognition that such beliefs
are open to discussion ! that they are
not part of sorthodox Catholicity; that
they. are not, of obligation; that they
are matters Of, human, belief or, opinion
only; that those who ,discredit them
are not thereby convicted of a want of
the religious; spirit, and that those
who still believe them are not there
fore to be ranted against. al
f"The second thought is this. If we
look at the matter in itself, it is clear
that the rejection of such beliefs in
wolves a certain. loss Of what may be
called .'pious. and edifying matter.
Taking a few instances, it, is pleasing
to the deyout mind to think that Our
Lady led a. sort, of religious life in the
temple cloister; that she revealed the
Scapular Ito st. Simon Stock; that
she introduced the Rosary to st. Dom
mic; that she made certain promises
Eof an assuring character on these and
other occasions, and so of the rest. :.
Slut supposing on the other hand
as; great scholars have thought. these
stories are merely pious, legends;
/ then even though the. discovery in
wolves the. loss of the aforesaid edi
| flying matter, still we are the better
for knowing the truth, and are. Lee
Thereby to seek our consolation il
other and more substantial ways. On
reflection that after all the excellence
| of the Scapular or the Rosary re
mains intact : that they, flourish ane
prosper and do good independently o
such stories. Hence It nothing sub
sstantial is lost. 4 We are brought t.
Irests our devotion on the. motives
4 which the Church herself proposes
instead of going outside her teach
ing. q.