THE POPE'S DEGREE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2477, 26 May 1888, Page 3

THE POPE'S DEGREE.

TO THK KDITOH. Sin,—Whan I read Junius i libei nicus' firs lotter, notwithstanding the spirit of rebellion he betrayed to the discipline of his Church, and to the laws of the Empire, I had n lurking suspicion within me that he was a man, if not actually a priest, at least with a considerable touch of clerical training in him. His lettsr, published in your issue of yesterday, is a continuation of that suspicion, for, in order to convince me he is a Catholic, he is good enough to proclaim the fact that ho was educated in an Irish theological seminary. I am, therefore, glad I drew forth that admission from liiin, though he, by no means, frees himself from the charge of being a bad Catholic, bo he priest or layman. Junius Hibertiieus has now entirely shifted his ground and argues to bis own satisfaction that the infallibility of the Pope is not a revealed article of faith, and that, as a matter of doctrine it, has never been sanctioned by the Church. My friend is an admirable casuist, and his clerical education is a timely auxiliary to liim in his sophistries, l'apal infallibility, lam aware, has been the subject of controversy for ages amongst the Catholic hierarchy, the poiuti in dispute, or in doubt, were finally set at rest at the (Ecumenical Council held in tin Vatican in 1870, when it was decided that the doctrinal decrees of the Pope, in faith and morals, when given ex cathedra, are to be accepted as of the same nature as that which is attached to the teaching of the Church. The general principle, acceptcd by all Catholics, contained in the Pope's infallibility, embraces all questions, written or oral, of faith, morality, and general discipline required for the maintenance of truth and the defeat of anything injurious thereto. It is not for me to defend or criticise this dogma ; I merely give it as it is laid down by the Catholic Church. Junius Hibernicus' reason may rise in arms against it, and he may be a disciple of Dr. Dollinger who refused to accept it. It may be, also, that Junius Hibcrnicus, as a pronounced antagonist to everything appertaining to the government of Ireland by the British Parliament, prefers to devote his sympathies on the side of disorder and revolution in that country, rather than acknowledge the soundne-s of the Pope's Decree which he believes, but erroneously believes, is an attempt to suppress the national aspirations of his countrymen, lie that as it may, no true Catholic can deny the dogma of Papal infallibility and remain in communion with his Church. Like Dr. Dollinger, and those who follow him, out they must go. More recently, Dr. McClynn lent himself to revolutionary principle! not sanctioned by the teachings of the Church ; he bccamc contumacious, incurred Papal censure, and out he had to go. Is Junius Hibernicus, then, a member of the "Old Catholic" schism, or a sympathiser of Dr. McGlynn ? The decisions of the Pope formulated by, and with the consent of, the Propoganda are accepted by Catholics as infallible. Not only so, but also when given on his own mere motion, in virtue of the decrcc of tlio Vatican Council of 1870. That edict of I'ius IX is thus worded:—"Wo, the Sacred Co:incil approving, teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed : that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when in discharge of his supreme Apostolic authority he defines a doctrine to tie held by the universal Church by the divine assistance promised him in blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer willed that His Church should be endowed for defining doctrine regarding faith and morals; and that, therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are irrefonnablc of themselves, and not by reason of the consent of the Church." But my friend does admit in his letter that he recognises the Pope's infallibility, and, though he rather illogically, declares the reception of the doctrine sits lightly on the part of the laity, I would like to see the professed Catholic who would be bold enough to stand forth on a public platform, and express an independent interpretation of it, such as that given by Junius Hibernicus. It is to be presumed that Pope Leo has received a pretty good theological education, and is rather better qualified to judge on questions of Catholic doctrine than the cleric, Junius Hibernicus. But my friend assumes a superiority over the sagacious ruler and great statesman, the present Pontiff, and becomes an anti-Popcof hisown creation. If Land Leaguers in England were to adopt similar illegal tactics to those used in such an immoral manner in Ireland, the Pope could " fulminate" against them in the same fashion without rousing any more hostility amongst the British people than he has excited in the present instance. I have already given my candid opinion of the loyalty of English Catholics, nil opinion confirmed by the manner in which they have received the Decree. Ido not know what Junius Hibernicus means by the 'roar' of indignation, which he alleges was raised against the elevation of Cardinal Wiseman, or at the supposed diplomatic relations of Mr Errington with the l'apal See. I am, however, aware that there is still sufficient bigotry in existence amongst certain sections of the English people to regard with pious horror anything connected with Rome or Popery. Civilization and education are removing such remnants of a by gone barbarous age from the minds of the British people, an evidence of progress I would like to bi'liold amongst our fellow subjects in the Sister Isle. I have a distinct recollection of the great crowds of people of all classes who assembled to hear the splendid lectures of Dr Wiseman, wherever he went in England, a fact sufficient to shotv that his high qualities and abilities were held in esteem by his countrymen of all shades of opinions and creed. For my part, f consider it would be a judicicus act of statemanship to establish diplomatic intercourse with the Holy See, considering the immense influence, for good or evil, that the Pope can exercise over such vast numbers of British subjects, and foreign nations who yield him spiritual allegiance and with whom we are on terms of amity. The Pope's Decree has absolutely no reference to the temporal all'airs of the Trish people, nor does His Holiness deny the jnst and constitutional agitations of the Irish who have political grievances that need reform. As I said before the I'ontilf uses tho power vested in him by the Church to break down illegal and immoral practices that arc abhorred by enlightened people and which threaten to disrupt civilised society. In doing so Ti?o XIII must earn the approval of all lovers of law and order. The Irish biii/9 1 -'S and clergy have submitted to him, and the Irish people must follow them, whatever Mr Dillon or Mr O Brien may say to tho contrary. I have now written all I intend to say on the subject as I do not consider myself called upon to give it further attention.--! am &c. Biutannuts.