THE "INFALLIBILITY DOGMA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 221, 19 September 1870, Page 4

THE "INFALLIBILITY DOGMA.

PROTEST OF THE PEELATES. A correspondent of the Neto York Herald, writing from Rome, says : — The following highly important document has been adopted by many of the bishops in attendance at the (Ecumenical Council, and presented to the Pope, on the subject of infallibility. The paper is headed by the name of the most Reverend Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati — a fact which gives its promulgation, if possible, additional importance : — Most Holy Father — Humbly prostrate at the feet of your holiness, we most earnestly supplicate that the question oa (he definition of the infallibility of the Sovereign Pontiff as a dogma of faith may not be proposed at the Vatican Council. Among other reasons of this supplication we beg (o adduce only three, which appear to be sufficent : — ■ 1. Because the discussion of this question will evidently show a want of union, and especially unanimity among the bishops. 2. Because on account of the circumstances in which we are placed in countries where heresies not only exist with impunity, but are dominant, this definition, instead of attracting, would alienate those whom we seek by all Christian means to lead to the true fold of Christ. 3. Because we anticipate endless questions will arise which may interfere with and prevent the work of our ministry and cause the fruits of this Council to be lost to those who are not members of the holy Catholic Church. Having laid bare | our hearts and sincere intentions, we implore Almighty God to avert all evil from the Church, and that He may illumine and direct you with. His Holy Spirit.

The printed scheme of the dogma of infallibility has been distributed. It contains five canons ■. — 1. If anyone should say that the episcopal chair of the Roman Church is nofc the true at?d real infallible chair of Blessed Peter, or that it has not been divinely chosen by God as the most solid, indefectible, and incorruptible rock of the whole Christian Church, let him be anathema. 2. If anyone should say that there exists in the world another infallible chair of the truth of the Gospel of Christ our Lord, distinct and separate from the chair of Blessed Peter, let him be anathema. 3. If anyone should deny that the divine magisterinm of the chair of Blessed Peter is necessary to the true way of eternal salvation for all men, whether unfaithful or faithful, whether laymen or bishops, let him be anathema. 4. If anyone should say that each Roman Pontiff, legitimately elected, i 3 not by divine right the successor of Blessed Peter, even in the gift of the infallibility of magisterium, and should deny to any one of them the prerogative of infallibility for teaching the Church the Word of God pure from all corruption and error, let him be anathema. 5. If anyone should say that general councils are established by God in the Church as a power of feeding the Divine flock iv the word of faith superior to tha Romau Pontiff, or equal to him, or necessary by Divine institution in order that the magisterium of the Roman Bishop should be preserved infallible, let him be anathema. A striking comment on the solidity and, indefectibilif.y of " the true and real infallible chair of Blessed Peter " is furnished by the telegrams received by the San Francisco mail, wherein it is stated that "Advices from Rome state that the Freuch disaster causes a profound terror, and that the Pope has asked Eugenic, for just one ship to defend him from Italy's new organization for an attack "on the Papal dominion and authority."