Year: 1870

BISHOP MAGrLL's ADDRESS TO THE Con-
aREGATIoN OF ST. PETER's.--The return of
Bishop Magill to Richmond was chronicied
In our issue of yesterday. The crowded
state of our columns precluded the publi-
cation of the following sketch Of his highly
cathedral on Sunday morning before large
congregation. - G c@-0i@s h.s F


The Bishop said that in coming back home
he was glad to be once more in the midst of
bis people. While he had been gone Provi-
dence had been favorable to him in preserv-
ing him from the perils incident to travel and
he might, perhaps, attribute this mercy to
their good prayers with those Of others. 1t
had yet pleased God to visit us with af1ic-
tions IN the death of two jealous fathers of
the Church Fathers Plunkett and Wander
plast.) He alluded to their zeal in the min
iistry, and paid feeling tribute to their many
virtues. He had also been pleased to visit
him with an afiiiction Of the loss Of his right
eye, put de had mercifully preserved him
In former times bishop, IN returning
from q Council, was expected to give an ac-
count to his people of what had happened,
Dut IN these days he was in a measure eX-
empted from this by the facilities afforded
by the telegraph. The only difficulty was
TO tell what was true among SO many re-
ports. Catholics, as general thing, could
distinguish from knowledge of their reli-
glon what was true; but there were many
who were ignorant, and might be deceived.
He had gone to Europe in obedience to
the call of the Holy Father to attend the
Council. The reasons for the calling of the
Council were then given. 1t had up to the
time of his leaving been engaged in consid-
| ering the relations between science and
| faith, and reason and revelation. After he
had left, the question of infallibility had
! been defined. The Bishop explained the
reasons Of his leaving Rome-on account
| principally of his health. He further en-.
/ tered into an explanation of infallibilty as
| being preservation accorded to the Head
of the Church on earth from teaching error
in doctrine and morals. 1t was preroga
tive in regard to his teaching, and not in re-
gard to his actions. 1t was not impecca
bility, but simply protection against errol
in official teaching.


| This preservation from error was not
new belief started now, but was an old be-
lief which has now been made an article
Faith.


/ All articles of Faith were definitions o
what had already been believed as belong
ing to the deposit of revelation, and woult
! not be defined if not already believed. Tha
this was believed was shown by the respec


which the Church had manifested for the ON
cial teachings of the Head, as was proved b,
the history Of the Church. This teaching wa


necessary for the people, for there were NJ


opinions, however ridiculous, that would


not find some advocates ; and it was neces


sary for Almighty God to place on eartl


some tribunal by which men could know


the truth in religion, and he called Hi
Church the pillar and ground of the truth
and therefore the chief teacher OF th


Church, who has to confirm his brethren


should be preserved himself from falling


into error in his teaching.


If. after so many centuries, this belief i


made an article of faith, we have to find tht
cause in what is called Gallicanism, whicl
sought to elevate bishops to level with tht


Head of the Church, and required his teach


ing to be approved by the bishops; ant
thus, when his decisions were given, they


would appeal to general council instead


of obeyng. Now, since this matter is de


fined by the Church, no one who is 4 Catho


lie can refuse TO believe this doctrine, ant


the decision Of the Holy See is declared b.


the Council of the Vatican to be irretorma


BILE, and not to need the appreciation of tht
bishops of the Church.


In conclusion, the Bishop referred Will
much feeling to the many changes drati
had wrought in the congregation and in th'
CITY in the short time he had been absent
and drew the moral of preparation for thai
future state of which we were being con


stantly warned.