The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""AND BELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 267what degree of toleration prevailed in those days.Having heard that a fanatical preacher was stimulating the people to deeds of violence against theJews, as the enemies of Christianity, St. Bernardraised his eloquent voice against him, and rescuedthose persecuted people from the danger to whichthey were exposed.Not to cite too many examples, let me only quotefor you the beautiful letter addressed by Fenelon,Archbishop of Cambray, to the son of King JamesII. of England. This letter not only reflects thesentiments of his own heart, but formulizes, in thisparticular, the decrees of the Church, of which hewas a distinguished ornament. Above all,"hewrites, never force your subjects to change theirreligion. No human power can reach the impenetrable recess of the free will of the heart. Violencecan never persuade men : it serves only to makehypocrites. Grant civil liberty to all, not in approving everything as indifferent, but in toleratingwith patience whatever Almighty God tolerates,and endeavoring to convert men by mild persuasion." LIt is true, indeed, that the Catholic Church sparesno pains, and stops at no sacrifice, in order to inducemankind to embrace her faith. Otherwise she wouldbe recreant to her sacred mission. But she scornsto exercise any undue influence in her efforts to convert souls.1Vie de Fenelon.