The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. 280Our Catholic ancestors, for the last three hundredyears, have suffered so much for freedom of conscience, that they would rise up in judgment againstus, were we to become the advocates and defendersof religious persecution. We would be a disgraceto our sires, were we to trample on the principle ofliberty which they held dearer than life.And when I denounce the cruelties of the Inquisition, I am not standing aloof from the Church, butI am treading in her footprints. Bloodshed andpersecution form no part of the creed of the Catholic Church. So much does she abhor the sheddingof blood, that a man becomes disqualified to serveas a minister at her altars who, by act or counsel,voluntarily sheds the blood of another. Before youcan convict the Church of intolerance, you must firstbring forward some authentic act of her Popes orCouncils sanctioning the policy of vengeance. Inall my readings, I have yet to find one decree ofhers advocating torture or death for consciencesake. She is indeed intolerant of error ;but heronly weapons against error are those pointed outby St. Paul to Timothy: "Preach the word; beinstant in season, out of season ; reprove, entreat ;rebuke with all 1patience and doctrine."But you will tell me : Were not the authors ofthe Inquisition children of the Church, and didthey not exercise their enormities in her name?Granted. But I ask you Is : it just or fair to hold1 II. Tim. iv. 2.