CATECHISM ON MODERNISM – PART III – THE REMEDIES FOR MODERNISM – I. RULES RELATIVE TO STUDIES

PART III
THE REMEDIES FOR MODERNISM

I. RULES RELATIVE TO STUDIES

Q. What does the Holy Father ordain on the subject of philosophy?

A. He says: In the first place, with regard to studies, We will and strictly ordain that scholastic philosophy be made the basis of the sacred sciences.

Q. Following Leo XIII., what reservation does Pius X. make in his prescription?

A. It goes without saying that ” if anything is met with among the scholastic doctors which may be regarded as something investigated with an excess of subtlety, or taught without sufficient consideration; anything which is not in keeping with the certain results of later times; anything, in short, which is altogether destitute of probability, We have no desire whatever to propose it for the imitation of present generations.” (Leo XIII., Encycl. Mterni Patris.)

Q. What scholastic philosophy is prescribed in seminaries and religious Institutes?

A. Let it be clearly understood above all things that, when We prescribe scholastic philosophy, We understand chiefly that which the Angelic Doctor has bequeathed to us, and We therefore declare that all the ordinances of Our Predecessor on this subject continue fully in force; and, as far as may be necessary, We do decree anew, and confirm, and order that they shall be strictly observed by all. In seminaries where they have been neglected, it will be for the Bishops to exact and require their observance in the future; and let this apply also to the Superiors of religious Orders.

Q. Would it be a great disadvantage to set aside St. Thomas?

A. We admonish professors to bear well in mind that they cannot set aside St. Thomas, especially in metaphysical questions, without grave disadvantage.

Q. In what words does Pius X. recommend the study of theology?

A. On this philosophical foundation the theological edifice is to be carefully raised. Promote the study of theology by all means in your power, so that your clerics on leaving the seminaries may carry with them a deep admiration and love of it, and always find in it a source of delight. For ” in the vast and varied abundance of studies opening before the mind desirous of truth, it is known to everyone that theology occupies such a commanding place that, according to an ancient adage of the wise, it is the duty of the other arts and sciences to serve it, and to wait upon it after the manner of handmaidens.” ( Leo XIII., Lett. Ap. In Magna, December 10, 1889.)

Q. Does not the Sovereign Pontiff, all the same, praise the theologians who teach positive theology?

A. We will add that We deem worthy of praise those who, with full respect for tradition, the Fathers, and the ecclesiastical magisterium, endeavour, with well-balanced judgment, and guided by Catholic principles (which is not always the case), to illustrate positive theology by throwing upon it the light of true history.

Q. In teaching positive theology, what is to be avoided?

A. It is certainly necessary that positive theology should be held in greater appreciation than it has been in the past, but this must be done without detriment to scholastic theology; and those are to be disapproved as Modernists who exalt positive theology in such a way as to seem to despise the scholastic.

Q. According to what law ought the study of natural sciences to be regulated?

A. With regard to secular studies, let it suffice to recall here what Our Predecessor has admirably said: ” Apply yourselves energetically to the study of natural sciences, in which department the things that have been so brilliantly discovered and so usefully applied, to the admiration of the present age, will be the object of praise and commendation to those who come after us.” (Leo XIII., Alloc., March 7, 1880.) But this is to be done without interfering with sacred studies, as Our same Predecessor prescribed in these most weighty words: ” If you carefully search for the cause of those errors you will find that it lies in the fact that in these days, when the natural sciences absorb so much study, the more severe and lofty studies have been proportionately neglected some of them have almost passed into oblivion, some of them are pursued in a half-hearted or superficial way, and, sad to say, now that the splendour of the former estate is dimmed, they have been disfigured by perverse doc trines and monstrous errors.” (Loc. cit) We ordain, therefore, that the study of natural sciences in the seminaries be carried out according to the law.

II. CHOICE OF THE DIRECTORS AND PROFESSORS FOR SEMINARIES AND CATHOLIC INSTITUTES

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