The Irish standard., 1920-02-28
Pastoral Letter Read
Last Sunday i'm ALI
Catholic Churches

Ndu
Puhlte's Rights Put Above That q
Either capstal q labos-Asehhtsh.
ops aud Bishops Plead Fer Glass
War End-olveree Evil aad Craze
For Pleasure Reesive Attention.
An abstract Of the Pastoral Letter
prepared by the Archbtshops and Bish-
ops of America was read in all the
Catholic churches throughout the land
last Sunday. It is the first to be is-
sued since the third plenary council
in 1885. The letter voices the stand
of the Church on al of the important
subjects Of the day. The Bishops say.
in part:
THE first and most essential lesson
in true education 10 that which the
war has taught us. For a long time
the attempt was made to regulate
human affairs without any reference
to God. It was thought that the ad-
vance of civilization, the progress Of
science and the growth of commerce
had made the peace of the world Sc
cure. Religion was excluded, in great
measure, from public life, and entirely
from the council of nations. It was
vast experiment, conducted with all
the resources of power and skill. And
now we see its results.
Against "piluted" Religion.
1--WE cannot afford to repeat the ex-
pertinent. If we are to build anew,
we must build on q sure foundation,
not on quicksand. The stone which
the builders of the modern world re-
jected, must become again the head
of the corner. In the teaching and ex-
ample of Jesus Christ, mankind must
learn the way of salvation. There is
no other.
There are many indeed who ad-
mire the Christian ideal and yet claim
that Christianity should be modified
to suit the demands of our age. But
as these demands are countless, and
as some Of them are openly at vari-
ance with the spirit of Christ, nothing
will be gained by yielding to them.
Too much, in fact, has already been
lost in these vain attempts to satisfy
the world with diluted Christianity.
In the final issue, not only particular
doctrines have been set aside, but the
central truth, namely, that Christ is
the Incarnate God, has been question
ed or denied. Those who regard Him
simply as the perfect man, feel justi-
fed in Interpreting His doctrines &C.
cording to their particular liking. They
may continue to speak of their version
as Christianity; and they may find it
inadequate In the present conditions
Of the world. But this is no warrant
for saying that Christianity has ceased
to be power for truth and righteous.
ness.
Justice, Charity, Urged.
christianity requires that we accept
two fundamental principles at the
basis of our human relations. These
are the principles Of justice and char.
ity. The application Of these in pri-
vate and public life is the first step
toward the restoration of peace and
order.
Justice obliges us to give every man
his due, just because he is man. It
prescribes respect for the rights of
the individual, of society and Of the
state. It binds us to the keeping of
agreements and to the observance Of
law. It forbids slander either Of q
person, Of a community, or Of whole
body such as the church or the nation.
It is intolerant Of fraud and dishonesty
by whomsoever committed, whether in
private transactions or in dealings
with the commonwealth. It demands
that punishment be meted out with
equal hand to all who violate law, ir.
respective Of class, station, or influ.
entail position.
Charity is the distinctive badge of
the Christian. BY this shall all men
know that you are my disciples, IT
you have love for one another (John
XIII, 35). Different as they are from
the strict requirement of justice, the
gentle percepts Of charity are binding
on all men as brothers and as children
Of the same Father in heaven. Char.
ity does not wait to be constrained by
the demand Of the neighbor for his
failings, word Of correction and
silence. Charity is patient, is kind;
charity envieth not, dealeth not per.
versely; is not puffed up, is not pro-