Anthony J. Mioni - The Popes Against Modern Errors: 16 Papal Documents

The Popes Against Modern Errors

16 Papal Documents

Anthony J. Mioni, Jr.

Copyright 1999 by TAN Books, an Imprint of Saint Benedict Press, LLC.

ISBN 978-0-89555-643-1

Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 98-61396

Cover illustration: Pope Gregory XVI. Detail of monument by Luigi Amici (1854) in St. Peters, Rome. Photo: Alinari/Art Resource, New York.

TAN Books

Charlotte, North Carolina

www.TANBooks.com

2012

For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Thus, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics. There is but one way in which the unity of Christians may be fostered, and that is by furthering the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it; for from that one true Church they have in the past fallen away.

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, par. 15
(On Fostering True Religious Unity, p. 301)

Justice therefore forbids, and reason itself forbids, the State to be godless; or to adopt a line of action which would end in godlessnessnamely, to treat the various religions (as they call them) alike, and to bestow upon them promiscuously equal rights and privileges. Since, then, the profession of one religion is necessary in the State, that religion must be professed which alone is true, and which can be recognized without difficulty, especially in Catholic States, because the marks of truth are, as it were, engraven upon it. This religion, therefore, the rulers of the State must preserve and protect, if they would provideas they should dowith prudence and usefulness for the good of the community.

Pope Leo XIII, Libertas Praestantissimum, par. 21
(On the Nature of True Liberty, p. 96)

Nations will be reminded by the annual celebration of this feast [of Christ the King] that not only private individuals but also rulers and princes are bound to give public honor and obedience to Christ. It will call to their minds the thought of the Last Judgment, wherein Christ, who has been cast out of public life, despised, neglected and ignored, will most severely avenge these insults; for His kingly dignity demands that the State should take account of the Commandments of God and of Christian principles, both in making laws and in administering justice, and also in providing for the young a sound moral education.

Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas, par. 32
(On the Feast of Christ the King, p. 290)

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mirari Vos. Translated by Fr. Bernard A. Hausmann, S.J. From The Papal Encyclicals: 1740-1878, ed. by Claudia Carlen, I.H.M., McGrath Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1981; The Pierian Press, reprint, c. 1990. Used with the kind permission of Sister Claudia Carlen, I.H.M.

Quanta Cura. Originally published by Catholic Historical Review, American Catholic Historical Association, Vol. 13, pp. 247-253; copyright July, 1927; from Carlen, The Papal Encyclicals: 1740-1878.

Syllabus of Errors. Translation authorized by Cardinal McCabe, Archbishop of Dublin. From Dogmatic Canons and Decrees, published by Devin-Adair, New York, 1912; TAN, 1977.

Diuturnum Illud. From The Church Speaks to the Modern World, ed. Etienne Gilson, Doubleday, 1954. Translation originally published by Paulist Press. Courtesy of Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

Humanum Genus. From The Church Speaks to the Modern World, ed. Etienne Gilson, Doubleday, 1954. Translation originally published by Paulist Press. Courtesy of Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

Libertas Praestantissimum. From The Church Speaks to the Modern World, ed. Etienne Gilson, Doubleday, 1954. Translation originally published by Paulist Press. Courtesy of Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

Rerum Novarum. Translation courtesy of National Catholic Welfare Conference, Washington, D. C.

Graves de Communi Re. From The Church Speaks to the Modern World, ed. Etienne Gilson, Doubleday, 1954. Translation originally published by Paulist Press. Courtesy of Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

Lamentabili Sane. Transl. Rev. Vincent A. Yzermans. From All Things in Christ, ed. Rev. Vincent A. Yzermans, Newman Press, 1954. Courtesy of Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

Pascendi Dominici Gregis. From All Things in Christ, ed. Rev. Vincent A. Yzermans, Newman Press, 1954. Translation of Pascendi from The Doctrines of the Modernists, published by Burns, Oates & Washbourne, Ltd.

Our Apostolic Mandate. Translation by Mr. Yves Dupont, originally published in 1974. Used courtesy of Instauratio Press, Yarra Junction, Australia.

Oath Against Modernism. From The Church Teaches: Documents of the Church in English Translation, transl. and ed. by Jesuit Fathers of St. Marys College, St. Marys, KS; published by B. Herder Book Co., St. Louis, 1995; TAN, 1973.

Quas Primas. Originally published by The Tablet, Vol. 147, pp. 72-75. Copyright by The Tablet January 16, 1926; from Carlen, The Papal Encyclicals: 1740-1878.

Mortalium Animos. Catholic Truth Society.

Divini Redemptoris. Translation courtesy of National Catholic Welfare Conference, Washington, D. C. 1937 Edition.

Humani Generis. Translation courtesy of National Catholic Welfare Conference, Washington, D. C.

Subheadings are either from the original English edition or by the present publisher.

Encyclical Letter of Pope Gregory XVI

ON LIBERALISM

(Mirari Vos)

August 15, 1832

To All Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic World

Venerable Brethren,
Greetings and Apostolic Benediction

1. We think that you wonder why, from the time of Our assuming the pontificate, We have not yet sent a letter to you as is customary and as Our benevolence for you demanded. We wanted very much to address you by that voice by which We have been commanded, in the person of blessed Peter, to strengthen the brethren. (Luke 22:32). You know what storms of evil and toil, at the beginning of Our pontificate, drove Us suddenly into the depths of the sea. If the right hand of God had not given Us strength, We would have drowned as the result of the terrible conspiracy of impious men. The mind recoils from renewing this grief by enumerating so many dangers; instead We bless the Father of consolation who, having overthrown all enemies, snatched Us from the present danger. When He had calmed this violent storm, He gave Us relief from fear. At once We decided to advise you on healing the wounds of Israel; but the mountain of concerns We needed to address in order to restore public order delayed Us.

Our Duties Are Heavy

2. In the meantime We were again delayed because of the insolent and factious men who endeavored to raise the standard of treason. Eventually, We had to use Our God-given authority to restrain the great obstinacy of these men with the rod. (1 Cor. 4:21). Before We did, their unbridled rage seemed to grow from continued impunity and Our considerable indulgence. For these reasons Our duties have been heavy.

We Hasten to Help

3. But when We had assumed Our pontificate according to the custom and institution of Our Predecessors and when all delays had been laid aside, We hastened to you. So We now present the letter and testimony of Our good will toward you on this happy day, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin. Since she has been Our patron and saviour amid so many great calamities, We ask her assistance in writing to you and her counsels for the flock of Christ.