INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 12, 20 October 1871, Page 3

INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPE.

To the Editor of the Thames Guardian. Sir, —In the course of his sermon on the Infallibility of the Pope, Bishop Croke said that the discussions in the Council were as free as air. Is this a correct statement ? The “ Regolaments ” decreed that the debate might at any time be stopped by the concurrent voices of any ten bishops. This virtually tied the hands of many who attempted to speak against the dogma; and is opposed to the idea of being as “ free as air.” Then it is well knoAvi: that Dupunloup denounced the assemblage as containing men avlio Avere afraid to speak out, and who submitted to have their privileges trampled upon. Also, that Strossinayer received a severe check for speaking too freely, while men of lesser note avlio ventured to adopt the same line Avere more thoroughly snubbed ; one bishop, for his rashness in daring to say Avhat lie honestly believed, being forced by the Pope himself to sign a renunciation of his speech. The poAverful utterances of Marat against the dogma excited liic anger of the President, avlio reproved the speaker, and forbade him to continue his address; and, not to make my letter tco long. I Avill only add that the Bishop of Savannah was compelled to desist directly he boldly asserted that, in his opinion, the dogma Avas sacrilegious. All this does not seem to agree Avith. Bishop Croke’s assertion that the discussions in the Council avctc as free as air.—l am, &c., A. Catholic.