Wanted-An Explanation

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

Wanted—An Explanation

CARDINAL GIBBONS, on the occasion of the celebration, at Baltimore, Md., of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his elevation to the cardinalate, and the fiftieth anniversary of his elevation to the priesthood, in making his response to the speeches of the President, ex-president, and the Speaker of the House, made reference to one of the important incidents in the establishment of this country. He referred to the time when, the Constitution being in process of formation, and it seeming impossible for an agreement to be reached among the representatives of the colonies, Benjamin Franklin arose, and suggested that they seek light from the Father of light to illumine their understanding. The suggestion was complied with, prayers were offered, and the Constitution was formed and adopted. Said Cardinal Gibbons:—

The words of Franklin did not fall on barren soil; they have borne fruit. Our government from its dawn to the present time has been guided by Christian ideals.

These words are true. God did hear prayer at that time when our government was in the making; and the Constitution which was adopted for this government was, beyond question, in harmony with the divine plan for the nation. What can we say, therefore, when we remember the words of the highest official in the Roman hierarchy to the effect that this nation, under the conditions existing at the time the declaration was made, could not be recognized as “any government at all”? If God heard prayer, as the cardinal indicates, in the formation of our national Constitution, why did the Roman hierarchy through its highest official refuse to recognize it as “any government at all”? These things are difficult of explanation.

The cardinal spoke approvingly, also, of the principles of separation of church and state in this country, and in so speaking stated what we must consider the truth. He said:—

The church and state move on parallel lines. They mutually assist one another. The state holds over the spiritual rulers the ægis of its protection without interfering with the sacred and God-given rights of conscience. And the church on her part helps to enforce the civil laws by moral and religious sanctions.

These words are in harmony with the principles of the American government, but how shall their utterance by the highest official of the Catholic Church in the United States be explained when by encyclicals of the popes the idea of freedom of conscience and of separation of church and state have been repeatedly anathematized? Can we believe that Roman Catholicism in the United States is to be conducted under a different régime from that in the Old World? We are hardly warranted in coming to such a conclusion, because of the fact that Cardinal Gibbons himself, in his book, “Faith of Our Fathers,” declares that Rome never changes. We do not desire to misjudge or misrepresent any one, yet we are forced to the conclusion that the cardinal, when he made these statements, knew of the encyclicals which deny the very statements which he was making. And yet we hear of no anathema being hurled from the Vatican at the head of the cardinal in America. We must, therefore, draw our own conclusions as to the reason for this seemingly contradictory policy. That there is a purpose in it we can not but believe; for the officials of the Roman Church do not act thoughtlessly or without definite purpose. By the public declarations of her highest officials in America she would seem to be in harmony with American institutions; judged by the official declarations of the head of the church, she is diametrically opposed to the fundamental principles of the American government. Who speaks the true policy of the Roman hierarchy? Is it the Pope, who denounces American principles? or the cardinal, who seems to advocate them? If we are to judge Rome by the encyclicals of the popes, the cardinal is speaking without authority and against authority. That this is permitted by the Vatican, indicates an understanding between these officials which can mean no good for America.