The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

PERPETUITY. 75At the earnest solicitation of the Pope, the kingdomof Spain and the republic of Venice formed an offensive league against the Turks, who were signally defeated in the battle of Lepanto, in 1571. And ifthe Cross, instead of the Crescent, surmounts thecities of Europe to-day, it is indebted for this priceless blessing to the vigilance of the Roman Pontiffs.Another adversary more formidable and dangerous than those I have mentioned, threatened theoverthrow of the Church in the fourth and fifthcenturies. I speak of the great heresy of Arius,which was followed by those of Nestorius andEutyches.The Arian schism, soon after its rise, spreadrapidly through Europe, Northern Africa, and portions of Asia. It received the support of immensemultitudes, and flourished for awhile under thefostering care of several successive emperors.Catholic Bishops were banished from their sees, andtheir places were filled by Arian intruders. TheChurch which survived the sword of Paganism,seemed for awhile to yield to the poison of Arianism.But after a short career of prosperity, thiggigantic sect became weakened by intestine divisions,and was finally swept away by other errors whichcame following in its footsteps.You are already familiar with the great religiousrevolution of the sixteenth century, which spreadlike a tornado over Northern Europe, and threatened,if that were possible, to engulf the bark of Peter.