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Show EXC0MIONICATI0N OF THE ABBE L0ISY. The following is the decree of the Holy Office, definitely excommunicating the Abbe Loisy: That the priest Alfred Loisy, at present residing in the diocese of Dangres, has both orally taught and nut forth publicly in his writings many things that subvert the rjost solid moundations of the Christian faith (ipsamet fidei christianae potissima fundamenta subvertunt), is now a matter of universal uni-versal knowledge. But it was hoped that he was lee. astray rather through love of novelty than bad-will, bad-will, and that he would put himself in harmony with the recent declarations and prescriptions of the Holy See on these matters; and for this reason recourse was not had till now to the severer canonical canoni-cal sanctions. But the contrary has happened; tor, he has contemned them all. and not only has not adjured ad-jured his errors, but has had the boldness to confirm con-firm them obstinately in recent writings and letters let-ters to his superiors. Since, therefore, therd'ean be no doubt as to his persistent contumacy after the formal canonical warnings, this Supreme Congregation Congre-gation of the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition, Inquisi-tion, not to fail in its office, dees by the express command of Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X, pronounce pro-nounce sentence of major excommunication on the priest Alfred Loisy nominatim and personaliter. and; does solemnly declare him to lie under all the pen-alt pen-alt es inflicted on persons publicly excommunicated, and therefore, that ho is to be avoided, and should be avoided by all. Given at Rome at the Holv Office on the 7th dav of March. 1 DOS. PKTRUS PA LO.M BELLI. Xot.u-y of the H. R. and U Inquisition. Tin's decree should surprise no Christian. The only surprising thing is that it has been witlihcld so long. Rome has treated the recalcitrant priest with all possible patience and forbearance; until the Abbe himself made it plain even in sensational newspaper interviews that he denies the Divinity of Christ. The Catholic Church is not alone in its condemnation con-demnation of Loisy. . The organs of that Protestantism Protes-tantism in France which still holds with Catholics to the Divinity of Christ condemn him also, and tiractieally justify the Pope's Encyclical on Mdern-ism. Mdern-ism. For example, the Foi'et Vie declare:.: "The Abbe Loisy has become a new Reuan. and nearer still he recalls the Hilligenlee of Frenssen. the most advanced., German Radicalism. ""' If it Were in these radical negations that Modernism Modern-ism is to end, there would really be no need, for its wrecking, of pontifical excommunications.'" The Evaugeliste speaks 'in the same tone: "The Abbe Ixnsy's conclit-ions on the person of Jesus and the origins of Christianity are a tissue of ar-bi ar-bi t ra ry supposi tions.:' |