The Popes in Medieval History
IN the Omaha high school there is in use “A Short History of Medieval Europe.” The Catholic bishop of that diocese has denounced it in his “Lenten Pastoral Letter,” because, in his own words, the author “dwells with some emphasis upon the shortcomings of the popes and other ecclesiastics, and has little to say of their good deeds.” He says that “such a book can do much harm to the inexperienced youths.” But there can not be any history of medieval Europe that would leave out the popes; because the popes are that history. And there can not be a history of medieval Europe, which is to say, a history of the popes, without noticing their shortcomings; for there is nothing in their history but shortcomings. It is the darkest, bloodiest, and in every way wickedest and most corrupt system and succession of men, that ever was in the world. As for “their good deeds,” there are absolutely none. And it is impossible for anybody, inexperienced youth or experienced old man, ever to be harmed by knowing that this is so.