Standing by the Encyclical

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Standing by the Encyclical

FROM some of the comments in the press of the world, some might conclude that there is a great deal of opposition among Catholics against the pope’s encyclical on Modernism. A great deal has been made of the opposition of “Father Tyrrell,” of England, and of some others; but he who concludes that there is present danger of a revolution in the Catholic Church over this matter is certain to find that he has made a wrong conclusion. As one Catholic journal has said: “Rome has spoken—the matter is closed.” It is interesting in this connection to read a portion of a letter prepared by the German bishops at a recent conference at Cologne, and addressed to the pope in answer to the encyclical. The letter concludes as follows:—

Praise be God. Everlasting thanks to Thee who has spoken with as much authority as courage. Thou seest us ready with sincerity to execute Thy admonition, and to co-operate with all our forces, zeal, and application of our mind, to uproot and destroy the weeds of error which the enemy has sown in the fields of our Lord.

Note the capitalization of the personal pronouns, an indication that they are speaking to one whom they regard as “Lord God the Pope.” The conference declared its belief that the encyclical was a timely and judicious utterance, made inevitable by the many errors that had crept into the church. There will be some like “Father Tyrrell” who will not yield, but the great bulk of the Catholic

body, clergy and laity, look upon that pronouncement as the very voice of God itself, which can not be questioned without mortal sin.