The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

SACRED IMAGES. 235extended their ravages over Europe, the immortalworks of Michael Angelo and Raphael would belost to us to-day.The doctrine of the Catholic Church regardingthe use of sacred images, is clearly and fully expressed by the General Council of Trent in the following words "The : images of Christ, and of HisVirgin Mother, and of other Saints, are to be hadand retained, especially in churches ;and a duehonor and veneration is to be given to them : notthat any divinity or virtue is believed to be inthem, for which they are to be honored, or thatany prayer is ta be made to them, or that anyconfidence is to m placed in them, as was formerlydone by the heathens, who placed their hopes inidols ;but because the honor which isgiven themis referred to the originals which they represent,so that by the images which we kiss, and beforewhich we uncover our heads or kneel, we adoreChrist, and venerate His saints, whose likenessthey represent."lEvery Catholic child clearly comprehends the essential difference which exists between a Pagan idoland a Christian image. The Pagans looked uponan idol as a god endowed with intelligence, andthe other attributes of the Deity. They were,therefore idolaters, or image worshippers. CatholicChristiars know that a holy image has no intelli-1Seas. xxv.