Page:Petri Privilegium - Manning.djvu/178

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out of square with those bases of political right. We have, however, a proof which has now attained the dignity of a very touching historical fact. Some ten years ago a young French priest, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the seminary of Langres, Léon Godard, published a short treatise on 'The Principles of '89 in Relation to Catholic Doctrine.' His object was, if possible, to remove the supposed contrariety between the principles of '89 and the principles of the Christian Church: a wise and charitable purpose to which we are all daily invited, I may even say provoked, by the alternate tones of perplexity and of challenge which come up from friends and foes. In a matter so difficult, and so prejudged by the passions of men, it is no wonder that a good young priest should so have written as to lay himself open to censures not unjust. With the true spirit of a Catholic and a Christian, he went at once to the Holy See and submitted himself and his work to correction. The book was subjected, by the highest authority, to examination; and an edition, corrected and enlarged, was printed in Paris in 1862, with the authorisation of the Roman censors, and a truly paternal and consoling letter from the Bishop of Langres. In that letter are quoted the words of the President of the Roman theologians, addressed to the Bishop. They run as follows:—'This work, tried by a severe scrutiny by certain Roman theologians, was found by them to teach nothing in any way opposed to the dogmas of Catholic faith; wherefore they judged that it may be published.' I remember that I once saw M. Léon Godard at Rome while his book was under