p. 6 | DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY CHURCH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 15, 1906

DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY CHURCH

THE course pursued by Roman Catholics in countries where they are in the majority proves conclusively that it is a settled principle of papal policy that the church should control the votes of its adherents. A recent illustration of this interference in politics is furnished by the action of the Archbishop of Manila, who issued the following letter to his ecclesiastical subjects in the Philippines:—

DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY CHURCH

Concerning the election of the officers of the country

TO THE VOTERS: “Catholics must not vote for men to fill responsible positions except those who are true and loyal Catholics. It is not possible and unreasonable to expect that irreligious men (non-Catholic) will put down existing evils.”—Leo XIII.

“The voter will sin if he does not fulfil his duty at election time. He must choose Christian men who are faithful to the church, and who fear God, men who will not bring discredit upon it, and not cause it to take a backward step by working against truth and righteousness, but who will rather advance the interest of the government.”—Archbishop of Colon.

The ones who have in keeping your body and soul ask that you do not only vote for men who are wise, but for men who are good Catholics, who will promote the welfare of the people according to the commandment of God given to Moses when he said: “Choose you from the multitude men who fear God and hate iniquity and make them rulers over you.” Exodus 18.

And because many of you do not know for whom you should vote, you must confer with your father confessor and other good men of the holy church who have clean conscience toward God. If you vote for a man who will not advance the interests of the people, you will commit a mortal sin.

Never vote for any other than a true Catholic. If you vote for any other than a true and loyal Catholic, you will be overwhelmed by the many sins that will be thrust upon you, besides you will be responsible for all he does.

Therefore we desire that you take these two words of instruction: First, It is the duty of all Catholics to vote when they get a chance; second, The voter has a binding and heavy duty to induce only Catholics to vote, and to vote only for Catholics.

BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA.

In this country, where they are in the minority, Roman Catholics advocate the sound principle that a man qualified for a public office should not be debarred on account of his religious belief, but in the Philippines, where they are in the majority, “Catholics must not vote for men to fill responsible positions except those who are true and loyal Catholics.” This illustrates the difference between real principle and mere policy, between Christianity and politics.