A NEW REFORMATION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 592, 11 December 1869, Page 2

A NEW REFORMATION.

The (Ecumenical Council excites European interest. As reported by telegram, the Catholic Powers decline to send representatives, and reserve full liberty of action whatever the decision of the Council may be. The German Bishops warn the Pope of the perils of proclaiming the Syllabus announcing his infallibility and repudiating modern civilization. They are, consequently, denounced as heretics. Father Hyacinthe, the celebrated preacher of Notre Dame, has written and published a very remarkable letter addressed to the General of the Order of Carmelites, to which he belonged. He denounces the attempts made to deprive him of his right of free preaching, and formally severs all connection with his congregation and Order; he bitterly assails the spiritual despotism of Borne, and claims the right and duty to reject the chains cought to be imposed on him ; he protests vigorously against the Eoman (not Christian) policy of the Ultramontanes in seeking the proposed divorce between the Church and society in which we live, and expresses doubt of the freedom and independence of the Oecumenical Council. The Bishop of Orleans regrets the rash step taken by Father Hyacinthe, and exorts him to submission ; but the Father in a brief reply says he cannot accept either reproaches or counsels, and what he, the Bishop, calls a great fault committed, he considers a great duty accomplished. The Superior of the Order of Carmelites has written to Father Hyacinthe ordering him to return to the convent under penalty of excommunication, and a declaration that he is dishonoured in the eyes of the Church. The noble language of the Father's letter, in the bold assertion of the freedom of thought it contains, has made a great impression on Europe. This voice of liberal Catholicism has been spoken of as a new Eeformation.