The Papacy and the Constitution
By K. C. RUSSELL
A ROMAN CATHOLIC priest, John F. Mullany, in the October number of the North American Review, tries to defend the Roman Catholic schools against a criticism that they are un-American. In this article he attempts to prove that the papacy is in harmony with the Constitution of the United States, and, not only this, but claims that Roman Catholic philosophy taught by St. Thomas Aquinas is the basis of the Declaration of Independence, and further that the principles of Aquinas were the basis upon which the fathers of the American Revolution fought for liberty and justice. In view of the foregoing arguments to prove that the papacy has a supreme regard for the Constitution of the United States, it would seem like a most fitting time to refresh the memories of all with other statements from the Roman Catholics concerning liberty of conscience, which the Constitution of the United States guarantees to every citizen. Pope Pius IX, in his encyclical letter of Aug. 15, 1854, said: “The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.” The same pope, in his encyclical letter of Dec. 8, 1864, anathematized “those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,” also “all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.” Says Bishop O’Connor: “Religious liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril to the Catholic world.” The Archbishop of St. Louis once said: “Heresy and unbelief are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy and Spain, for instance, where all the people are Catholics, and where the Catholic religion is an essential part of the law of the land, they are punished as other crimes.” It is difficult to comprehend how this stupendous system of error, which is the very embodiment of a union of church and state, could pose before the world as not only the champion of that charter of American rights and liberties, the Constitution, but as the one which inspired the creation of this document. Another strange feature concerning the boastful claims of the papacy in being the champion of religious liberty, and of the principles on which this government was founded, is the eagerness with which they are being received by professed Protestants. It should be remembered by Protestants that the policy of Rome has always been to adapt herself to the various conditions of the nations where she is operating, in order to gain influence and prestige. It is very fitting indeed, and shows great foresight, that this power should pose in this country as the champion of religious liberty and education; but, if we want to know her real attitude upon these questions, we have but to turn our eyes to the countries of Spain and South America, where, for centuries, the Catholic Church has borne sway. Here we find the people locked in the embrace of ignorance and superstition, and in the bondage of priestcraft. A celebrated prelate some years ago said, “What the Catholic Church has done for other countries, she will do for America.” This is not a very flattering outlook.