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Author : Sarda y Salvany Félix
Title : What is liberalism ?
Year : 1899

Link download : Sarda_y_Salvany_Felix_-_What_is_liberalism.zip

PREFACE. In 1886 there appeared in Spain a little work under the title El Liberalismo es Pecado: " Liberalism Is a Sin," by Don Felix Sarda y Salvany, a priest of Bar celona and editor of a journal called La JKevista Popular. The book excited con siderable commotion. It was vigorously assailed by the Liberals. A Spanish Bishop, of a Liberal turn, instigated an answer to Dr. Sarda s work by another Spanish priest. Both books were sent to Rome praying the Sacred Congregation of the Index to put Dr. Sarda s work under the ban. The following letter, under date January 10, 1887, from the Sacred Congre gation itself, explains the result of its con sideration of the two volumes : Most Excellent Sir: The Sacred Congregation of the Index has received the denunciation of the little work bearing the title " El Liberalismo es Pecado" by Don Felix Sarda y Salvany, a priest of your diocese ; the denunciation was accompanied at the same time by an other little work entitled " El Proceso del Integrismo," that is " a refutation of the errors contained in the little work El Liberalismo es Pecado" The author of the second work is D. de Pazos, a canon of the diocese of Vich. Wherefore the Sacred Congregation has carefully examined both works, and decided as follows : In the first not only is nothing found contrary to sound doctrine, but its author, D. Felix Sarda merits great praise for his exposition and defense of the sound doctrine therein set forth with solidity, order and lucidity, and without personal offense to anyone. The same judgment, however, cannot be passed on the other work by D. de Pazos, for in matter it needs corrections. Moreover his injurious manner of speaking cannot be approved, for he inveighs rather against the person of D. Sarda, than against the latter s supposed errors. Therefore the Sacred Congregation has commanded D. de Pazos, admonished by his own Bishop, to withdraw his book, as far as he can, from circulation, and in future, if any discussion of the subject should arise, to abstain from all expressions personally injurious, according to the precept of true Christian charity; and this all the more since Our Holy Father, Leo XIII., while he urgently recommends castigation of error, neither desires nor approves expres sions personally injurious, especially when directed against those who are eminent for their doctrine and their piety. In communicating to you this order of the Sacred Congregation of the Index, that you may be able to make it known to the illustrious priest of your diocese, D. Sarda, for his peace of mind, I pray God to grant you all happiness and prosperity and sub scribe myself with great respect, Your most obedient servant, FR. JEROME SECHERI, O. P. Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Index. To the Most Eev. Jacobo Catala et Alboso, Bishop of Barcelona. The following short chapters on Liberal ism are mainly and substantially Dr. Sarda s book, put into English, and adapted to our American conditions. Their need and their use will be best understood and appreciated by their perusal. ...