Pierre Le Gros the Younger 1666 - 1719
Religion Overthrowing Heresy and Hatred
1695-99
Marble, height 300 cm
Il Gesù, Rome
"In reading ecclesiastical history, when I was an Anglican, it used to be forcibly brought home to me, how the initial error of what afterwards became heresy was the urging forward some truth against the prohibition of authority at an unseasonable time.
There is a time for every thing, and many a man desires a reformation of an abuse, or the fuller development of a doctrine, or the adoption of a particular policy, but forgets to ask himself whether the right time for it is come; and, knowing that there is no one who will be doing any thing towards its accomplishment in his own lifetime unless he does it himself, he will not listen to the voice of authority, and he spoils a good work in his own century, in order that another man, as yet unborn, may not have the opportunity of bringing it happily to perfection in the next.
He may seem to the world to be nothing else than a bold champion for the truth and a martyr to free opinion, when he is just one of those persons whom the competent authority ought to silence; and, though the case may not fall within that subject-matter in which that authority is infallible, or the formal conditions of the exercise of that gift may be wanting, it is clearly the duty of authority to act vigorously in the case.
Yet its act will go down to posterity as an instance of a tyrannical interference with private judgment, and of the silencing of a reformer, and of a base love of corruption or error; and it will show still less to advantage, if the ruling power happens in its proceedings to evince any defect of prudence or consideration.
And all those who take the part of that ruling authority will be considered as time-servers, or indifferent to the cause of uprightness and truth; while, on the other hand, the said authority may be accidentally supported by a violent ultra party, which exalts opinions into dogmas, and has it principally at heart to destroy every school of thought but its own."
(Newman, Apologia pro sua Vita (1865) p.259)
Terry, thank you for sharing this post about Cardinal Newman. My f-i-l gave us his copy of Apologia pro sua Vita a long time ago. But I have not read it. I look forward to reading it now.
ReplyDeleteThank you Esther.
ReplyDeleteYou may like to go to the website "The Newman Reader" at http://www.newmanreader.org/
where all Newman`s published works are available for download/viewing.
In the UK as you know we are getting ready for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Hence my own reading of his works. His works are surprisingly modern, prescient and up to date.
Thanks again Terry. BTW, I picked up a book at a library sale. John Henry Newman Heart to Heart by Rev. Vincent Giese. Are you familiar with it?
ReplyDeleteI`m afraid I`m not familiar woth the book but I`ll certainly look out for it, Esther.
ReplyDeleteThere just seems to be so many books written about Newman and his works. It can get quite confusing.
Especially as different wings of the Chirch seem to use Newman as their authority for the differing propositions they advocate.
I guess one has to be careful about what one reads about Newman. The problem about reading Newman is he is difficult. A commentary or guide is probably essential. But which guide ?
In the UK, the expert appears to be Father Ian Ker who is attached to the Oratpry and the official Beatification celebrations.
I was not aware of that Terry. Again, thank you.
ReplyDelete