Some curious charges, letters, exhibits and sidelights on the Romish question are displayed to the gaze of the world in the very illuminating and instructive account of the now famous Butler-Bonniwell controversy published in the Congressional Record for Sat., Feb. 15th, 1913. Perhaps most interesting and curious of all is the obligation which we reprint below just as it appears in this issue of the Congressional Record....

"I, ___ ___, NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE BLESSED ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE HOLY APOSTLES, ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, AND ALL THE SAINTS, SACRED HOSTS OF HEAVEN AND TO YOU, MY GHOSTLY FATHER, THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS FOUNDED BY ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA, IN THE PONTIFICATION OF PAUL III, AND CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT, DO BY THE WOMB OF THE VIRGIN, THE MATRIX OF GOD, AND THE ROD OF JESUS CHRIST, DECLARE AND SWEAR THAT HIS HOLINESS, THE POPE, IS CHRIST'S VICEREGENT AND IS THE TRUE AND ONLY HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC OR UNIVERSAL CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE EARTH; AND THAT BY VIRTUE OF THE KEYS OF BINDING AND LOOSING GIVEN HIS HOLINESS BY MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, HE HATH POWER TO DEPOSE HERETICAL KINGS, PRINCES, STATES, COMMONWEALTHS

AND GOVERNMENTS AND THEY MAY BE SAFELY DESTROYED. THEREFORE TO THE UTMOST OF MY POWER I WILL DEFEND THIS DOCTRINE AND HIS HOLINESS' RIGHT AND CUSTOM AGAINST ALL USURPERS OF THE HERETICAL OR PROTESTANT AUTHORITY WHATEVER, ESPECIALLY THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GERMANY, HOLLAND, DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND NORWAY AND THE NOW PRETENDED AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCHES OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, OF THE CALVINISTS, OF SAME NOW ESTABLISHED IN IRELAND AND ON THE CONTINENT OF AMERICA AND ELSEWHERE, AND ALL ADHERENTS IN REGARD THAT THEY MAY BE USURPED AND HERETICAL, OPPOSING THE SACRED MOTHER CHURCH OF ROME.

"I DO NOW DENOUNCE AND DISOWN ANY ALLEGIANCE AS DUE TO ANY HERETICAL KING, PRINCE, OR STATE, NAMED PROTESTANT, OR LIBERALS, OR OBEDIENT TO ANY OF THEIR LAWS, MAGISTRATES OR OFFICERS.

"I DO FURTHER DECLARE THAT THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCHES OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, OF THE CALVINISTS, HUEGENOTS, AND OTHERS OF THE NAME OF PROTESTANTS OR MASONS TO BE DAMNABLE, AND THEY THEMSELVES TO BE DAMNED WHO WILL NOT FORSAKE THE SAME.

"I DO FURTHER DECLARE THAT I WILL HELP, ASSIST AND ADVISE ALL OR ANY OF HIS HOLINESS' AGENTS, IN ANY PLACE WHERE I SHOULD BE, IN SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, HOLLAND, IRELAND, OR AMERICA OR IN ANY OTHER KINGDOM OR TERRITORY I SHALL COME TO AND DO MY UTMOST TO EXTIRPATE THE HERETICAL PROTESTANT OR MASONIC DOCTRINES AND TO DESTROY ALL THEIR PRETENDED POWERS, LEGAL OR OTHERWISE.

"I DO FURTHER PROMISE AND DECLARE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING I AM DISPENSED WITH TO ASSUME ANY RELIGION HERETICAL FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE MOTHER CHURCH'S INTERESTS, TO KEEP SECRET AND PRIVATE ALL HER AGENT'S COUNSELS FROM TIME TO TIME, AS THEY ENTRUST ME, AND NOT DIVULGE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY WORD, WRITING, OR CIRCUMSTANCES WHATEVER, BUT TO EXECUTE ALL THAT SHOULD BE PROPOSED, GIVEN IN CHARGE, OR DISCOVERED

UNTO ME BY YOU, MY GHOSTLY FATHER, OR ANY OF THE SACRED ORDER.

"I DO FURTHER PROMISE AND DECLARE THAT I WILL HAVE NO OPINION OR WILL OF MY OWN OR ANY MENTAL RESERVATION WHATSOEVER, EVEN AS A CORPSE OR CADAVER (PERINDE AC CADAVER), BUT WILL UNHESITATINGLY OBEY EACH AND EVERY COMMAND THAT I MAY RECEIVE FROM MY SUPERIORS IN THE MILITIA OF THE POPE AND OF JESUS CHRIST.

"THAT I WILL GO TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD WITHERSOEVER I MAY BE SENT, TO THE FROZEN REGIONS NORTH, JUNGLES OF INDIA, TO THE CENTERS OF CIVILIZATION OF EUROPE, OR TO THE WILD HAUNTS OF THE BARBAROUS SAVAGES OF AMERICA WITHOUT MURMURING OR REPINING, AND WILL BE SUBMISSIVE IN ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER COMMUNICATED TO ME.

"I DO FURTHER PROMISE AND DECLARE THAT I WILL, WHEN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS, MAKE AND WAGE RELENTLESS WAR, SECRETLY AND OPENLY, AGAINST ALL HERETICS, PROTESTANTS AND MASONS, AS I AM DIRECTED TO DO TO EXTIRPATE THEM FROM THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH; AND THAT I WILL SPARE NEITHER AGE, SEX, OR CONDITION, AND THAT I WILL HANG, BURN, WASTE, BOIL, FLAY, STRANGLE AND BURY ALIVE THESE INFAMOUS HERETICS; RIP UP THE STOMACHS AND WOMBS OF THEIR WOMEN AND CRUSH THEIR INFANT'S HEADS AGAINST THE WALLS IN ORDER TO ANNIHILATE THEIR EXECRABLY RACE. THAT WHEN THE SAME CANNOT BE DONE OPENLY, I WILL SECRETLY USE THE POISONOUS CUP, THE STRANGULATION CORD, THE STEEL PONIARD, OR THE LEADEN BULLET, REGARDLESS OF THE HONOR, RANK, DIGNITY, OR AUTHORITY OF THE PERSONS WHATEVER MAY BE THEIR CONDITION IN LIFE, EITHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, AS I AT ANY TIME MAY BE DIRECTED SO TO DO BY ANY AGENT OF THE POPE OR SUPERIOR OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE HOLY FATHER OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

"IN CONFIRMATION OF WHICH I HEREBY DEDICATE MY LIFE, SOUL, AND ALL CORPORAL POWERS, AND WITH THE DAGGER WHICH I NOW RECEIVE I WILL SUBSCRIBE MY NAME WRITTEN

IN MY BLOOD IN TESTIMONY THEREOF; AND SHOULD I PROVE FALSE OR WEAKEN IN MY DETERMINATION, MAY MY BRETHREN AND FELLOW SOLDIERS OF THE MILITIA OF THE POPE CUT OFF MY HANDS AND FEET AND MY THROAT FROM EAR TO EAR, MY BELLY OPENED AND SULFUR BURNED THEREIN WITH ALL THE PUNISHMENT THAT CAN BE INFLICTED UPON ME ON EARTH AND MY SOUL SHALL BE TORTURED BY DEMONS IN ETERNAL HELL FOREVER.

"THAT I WILL IN VOTING ALWAYS VOTE FOR A K. OF C. IN PREFERENCE TO A PROTESTANT, ESPECIALLY A MASON, AND THAT I WILL LEAVE MY PARTY TO DO SO; THAT IF TWO CATHOLICS ARE ON THE TICKET I WILL SATISFY MYSELF WHICH IS THE BETTER SUPPORTER OF THE MOTHER CHURCH AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY.

"THAT I WILL NOT DEAL WITH OR EMPLOY A PROTESTANT IF IN MY POWER TO DEAL WITH AND EMPLOY A CATHOLIC. THAT I WILL PLACE CATHOLIC GIRLS IN PROTESTANT FAMILIES THAT A WEEKLY REPORT MAY BE MADE OF THE HERETICS.

"THAT I WILL PROVIDE MYSELF WITH ARMS AND AMMUNITION THAT I MAY BE IN READINESS WHEN THE WORD IS PASSED, OR I AM COMMANDED TO DEFEND THE CHURCH EITHER AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR WITH THE MILITIA OF THE POPE.

"ALL OF WHICH I, ____ ____, DO SWEAR BY THE BLESSED TRINITY AND BLESSED SACRAMENT WHICH I AM NOW TO RECEIVE TO PERFORM AND ON MY PART TO KEEP MY OATH.

"IN TESTIMONY HEREOF, I TAKE THIS MOST HOLY AND BLESSED SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST AND WITNESS THE SAME FURTHER WITH MY NAME WRITTEN WITH THE POINT OF THIS DAGGER DIPPED IN MY OWN BLOOD AND SEAL IN THE FACE OF THIS HOLY SACRAMENT."

"We confess that we have been brought from heresy to the true, saving Roman Catholic Faith, by the singular care of our Supreme Governors, Spiritual Temporal, and by the diligence and aid of our Masters, the Fathers of the Order of the Jesuits, and we desire to certify this by our mouths to the world at large.

"We confess that the Pope of Rome is the Head of the Church, and cannot err.

"We confess that the Pope of Rome is Vicar of Christ, and has plenary power of remitting and retaining sins of all men according to his will; of thrusting them down to Hell, and excommunicating them.

"We confess that whatever new thing the Pope ordains, rather it be in Scriptures or not in Scripture, and whatever he commands is true, divine and salvific; and therefore ought to be held by Lay People in greater esteem than the living God.

"We confess that the most holy Pope ought to be honored by all with divine honor, with greater genuflection than due to Christ Himself.

"We confess and assert that the Pope, as our most holy Father is to obeyed in all things without any exception; and that such heretics as contravene his orders are not only to be burnt, but to be delivered, body and soul, to Hell.

"We confess that the reading of Holy Scripture is the origin of heresy, and schism, and the source of blasphemy.

"We confess that to invoke Saints, male and female, to honor their images, to kneel before them, to make

pilgrimages to them, is good, pious, holy, useful and salutary.

"We confess that every Priest is much greater than the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who once brought forth Christ, and consumes Him when created.

"We confess that to celebrate Masses, and to distribute alms, and to pray for the dead, is useful and salutary.

"We confess that the Pope has power of changing Scripture and of adding to it, and taking from it, according to his will.

"We confess that souls after death are purified in Purgatory, and that the Masses of Priests are useful to deliver them from it.

"We confess that to receive the Eucharist under one kind is good and salutary, and to receive it under both is heretical and damnable.

"We confess and assert that they who receive under one kind, receive the whole Christ with the flesh and blood, with the Divinity and bones; and that they who receive under both, only enjoy and eat bare bread.

"We confess that there are seven real true sacraments.

"We confess that God is honored in images, and through them is acknowledged by men.

"We confess that Mary, the Blessed Virgin, is worthy of greater honor from men and angels than Christ Himself, the Son of God.

"We confess that the Blessed Virgin Mary is Queen of Heaven and reigns together with her Son, and that her Son ought to act in all things according to her will. (!)

"We confess that the bones of the Saints have greater virtue, and therefore ought to be honored by men, and chapels ought to be built for them.

"We confess that the Roman doctrine is pure, divine, saving, ancient and true; and the Protestant false, erroneous, blasphemous, accursed, heretical, pernicious, seditious, impious, commentitious, and fabulous. Since, therefore, entirely and fully in all its developments, the Roman doctrine under one kind is good and salutary, therefore we curse all those who brought us up in the contrary impious heresy under both kinds. We pronounce our parents accursed who educated us in that heretical faith. We curse those also who excited in us any doubts concerning the Roman Catholic faith, and those also who served us with that accursed cup. Yea, we curse ourselves and pronounce ourselves accursed because we partook of that heretical cup, which we ought not to have tasted.

"We confess that the Holy Scripture is imperfect, and a dead letter, until it is explained by the Supreme Pontiff, and allowed by him to be read by the laity.

"We confess that one Mass of the Roman Priest is more useful than a hundred and more Protestant sermons. Wherefore we curse those books which we have read, containing that heretical and blasphemous doctrine.

"We extend our curse to all who own works performed by us in heresy, that they may not bring anything upon us in the last day in the Divine Presence. All these things we do with a sincere heart, affirming that the Catholic Church of Rome, in these and like articles, is most true, with a solemn recantation of that other heretical doctrine in Your hearing, honorable Men and Matrons, Young Men and Virgins, who are here present. We swear also that we will never return to heresy under both kinds as long as we live, although it were allowed or shall be allowed to us to do so. We swear also, that as long as a drop of blood remains in our veins, we will persecute that accused Protestant doctrine, by all means in our power, secret-

------Trans. from the Libri Symbollici Ecclesiae (Romano-) Catholicae, editi a Streitwolf, ---"Confessio Romano-Catholica in Hungaria Evangelicis publice praescripta te proposita."

1. "I, __________, with a firm faith believe and profess all and everyone of the things contained in that creed which the holy Roman Church makes use of: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, etc., (here follows the Nicene Creed.)

2. "I also admit and embrace apostolic and ecclesiastic traditions, and all other observances and constitutions of the same Church.

3. "I also admit the Holy Scriptures according to that sense which our holy mother Church has held and does hold, to which it belongs to judge of the true sense and interpretation of Scriptures; neither will I ever take and interpret them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers.

4. "I also profess that there are truly and properly seven sacraments of the new law, institutioned by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary for the salvation of mankind, though not all for everyone, to wit: baptism, confirmation, the eucharist, penance, extreme unction, holy orders, and matrimony; and that they confer grace and that of these, baptism, confirmation, and ordination cannot be iterated without sacrilege. I also receive and admit the received and approved ceremonies

of the Catholic Church, using the solemn administration of the aforesaid sacraments.

5. "I embrace and receive all and every one of the things which have been defined and declared in the Holy Council of Trent concerning original sin and justification.

6. "I profess, likewise, that in the Mass there is offered to God a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead; and that in the most holy sacrament of the eucharist there is truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood, together with soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that there is made a change of the whole essence into the body, and of the whole essence of the wine into the blood; which change the Catholic Church calls transubstantiation.

7. "I also confess that under either kind alone, Christ is received whole and entire, and the true sacrament.

8. "I firmly hold that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein contained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. Likewise, that the saints reigning with Christ are to be honored and invoked, and that they offer up prayers to God for us, and that their relics are to be held in veneration.

9. "I most firmly assert that the images of Christ, and of the perceptual Virgin, the Mother of God, and also of the other saints, ought to be had and retained, and that the due honor and veneration are to be given them. I also affirm that the power of indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that the use of them is most wholesome to Christian people.

10. "I acknowledge the holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church for the mother and mistress of all churches; and I promise and swear true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, successor to St. Peter, prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ.

11. "I likewise undoubtedly receive and profess all other things delivered, defined, and declared by the Sacred Canons and General Councils, and particularly by the holy Council of Trent; and that I condemn, reject, and anathematize all things contrary thereto, and all heresies which the Church has condemned, rejected, and anathematized.

12. "I do, at this present, fully profess and truly hold this true Catholic faith, without which no one can be saved, and I promise most constantly to retain and confess the same entire and inviolate, with God's assistance, to the end of my life. And I will take care, as far as in me lies, that it shall be held, and preached by my subjects, or by those the care of whom shall appertain to me in my office. This, I, ________, promise, vow, and swear so help me God and these holy Gospels of God."

-------Creed of Pope IV.

"I, _________, now in the presence of Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the blessed Michael and Archangel, the blessed St. John the Baptist, the holy Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, and the Saints and the Sacred Hosts of Heaven, and to you my Lord, I do declare from my heart, without mental reservation, that the Pope is Christ's Vicar-General, and is the true and only Head of the Universal Church throughout the earth, and that by virtue of the keys of binding and loosing given to his Holiness by Jesus Christ, he has power to dispose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and governments, all being illegal without his sacred confirmation, and they may safely be destroyed. Therefore, to the uttermost of my power, I will defend the doctrine and his Holiness' rights and customs against all usurpers of the Protestant

authority whatsoever, especially against the now pretended authority and church in England and all adherents, in regard that they be usurpal and heretical opposing the Sacred Mother, the Church of Rome.

"I do denounce and disown any allegiance as due to any Protestant king, prince, state, or obedience to any of their inferior officers. I do further declare the doctrine of the church of England, of the Calvinists, Huguenots and other Protestants to be damnable, and those to be damned who will not forsake the same.

"I do further declare that I will help, assist, and advise all or any of his Holiness' agents in any place wherever I shall be, and do my utmost to extirpate Protestant doctrine, and to destroy all their pretended power, legal or otherwise. I do further promise and declare that notwithstanding that I may be permitted by dispensation to assume any heretical religion for the propagation of the Mother Church's interest, to keep secret and private all her agents' councils as they entrust me, and not to divulge directly or indirectly, by word, writing, or circumstance whatsoever, but to execute all which shall be proposed, given in charge or discovered unto me by you my most Reverend Lord and Bishop.

"All of which I, ________, do swear by the blessed Trinity and sacrament which I am about to receive, to perform on my part, to keep inviolably, and do call on all the Heavenly and Glorious Hosts of Heaven to witness my real intentions to keep this my oath.

"In testimony wherefore I take this most holy and blessed sacrament of the Eucharist, and witness the same further with my consecrated hand, in the presence of my Holy Bishop and all the Priests who assist him in my Ordination to Priesthood."

------From the Manuele Romanum.

"I, _______, elect of the church of _______, from henceforth will be faithful and obedient to St. Peter the Apostle and to the holy Roman Church, and to our Lord, the Lord _____, Pope _____, and to his successors canonically entering. I will neither advise, consent, nor do anything that they may lose life or member, or that their persons may be seized, or hands any wise laid upon them, or any injuries offered to them under any pretense whatsoever. The council with which they shall entrust me by themselves, their messengers, or letters, I will not knowingly reveal to any to their prejudice. I will help them to keep and to defend the Roman Papacy, and the regalities of St. Peter, saving my Order against all men. The legate of the Apostolic See, going and coming, I will honorably treat and help in his necessities. The rights, honors, privileges, and authority of the holy Roman Church, of our Lord the Pope, and his aforesaid successors, I will endeavor to preserve, defend, increase, and advance. I will not be in any council, action, or treaty in which shall be plotted against our said Lord, and the said Roman Church, anything to the hurt or prejudice of their persons, right, honor, state, or power; and if I shall know any such thing to be treated or agitated by any whatsoever, I will hinder it to my power, and, as soon as I can, will signify it to our said Lord, or to some other by whom it may come to his knowledge. The rules of the holy Fathers, the apostolic decrees, ordinances or disposals, reservations, provisions, or mandates I will observe with all my might, and cause to be observed by others. Heretics, schismatics, and rebels, to our said Lord, or his foresaid successors, I will to

my power persecute and oppose. I will come to a council when I am called, unless I be hindered by a canonical impediment. I will by myself in person visit the threshold of the apostles every three years; and give an account to our Lord and his aforesaid successors of all my pastoral office, and of all things any wise belonging to the state of my Church, to the discipline of my clergy and people; and, lastly, to the salvation of souls committed to my trust; and I will in like manner humbly receive and diligently execute the apostolic commands. And if I be detained by a lawful impediment, I will perform all things aforesaid by a certain messenger heretofore especially empowered, a member of my chapter, or some other in ecclesiastical dignity, or else having a parsonage, or in default of these, by a priest of the diocese, or, in default of the clergy of the diocese by some other secular or regular priest of approved integrity and religion, fully instructed in all things above mentioned. And such impediments I will make out by lawful proofs, to be transmitted by the aforesaid messengers to the cardinal proponent of the holy Roman Church in the congregation of the sacred council. The possessions belonging to my table I will neither sell, nor give away, nor mortgage, nor grant anew in fee, nor any wise alienate, no, not even with the consent of the chapter of my church, without consulting the Roman Pontiff; and if I shall make any alienation, I will hereby incur the penalties contained in a certain constitution put forth about this matter. So help me God, and these holy Gospels of God."

------Trans. from The Decretum of Gregory IX, book 2, title 24.

"I, ________, of the holy Roman Church, Cardinal of ______, promise and swear from this

hour hence as long as I live to be faithful and obedient to the blessed St. Peter, the Holy Roman Apostolic Church, and the Most Holy Lord Pius X, and also his canonically elected successors. I swear to give no counsel, nor to concur in anything and not to aid in any way against the pontifical majesty or person; never to disclose affairs entrusted to me by the nuncios, or in their letters, willingly or knowingly, to their detriment or dishonor; to be ever ready to aid them to retain, defend, or recover their rights against all.

"I shall fight with all my zeal and all my forces for their honor and dignity. I shall defend the legates and nuncios of the Apostolic See in all places under my jurisdiction, provide for their safe journey, treat them honorably on their coming, during their stay, and on their return and resist even to the shedding of blood, whomsoever would attempt anything against them.

"I shall try in every way to assert, uphold, preserve, increase and promote the rights, even temporal, the liberty, honor, privileges and authority of the Holy Roman Church of our Lord, the Pope and his successors. When it shall come to my knowledge that some machination prejudicial to those rights, which I cannot prevent, is occurring, I shall immediately make it known to the Pope, his successor, or someone qualified to convey such knowledge to him.

"I swear to observe and fulfill and see that others observe and fulfill, the regulations, degrees, ordinances, dispensations, reservations, and provisions of the Apostolic mandates and constitutions of Sixtus First of happy memory, and to combat with every effort, heretics, schismatics, and rebellious utterances against our Lord the Pope, and his successors.

"Even summon for any reason by the Holy Father or his successor I shall obey, or, when detained by

just cause, I shall send some one to present my excuses, to show due reverence and obedience.

"I shall never sell, give away, mortgage or alienate, without consent of the Roman Pontiff, the convents, churches, monasteries, or their benefices, committed to me, and I shall likewise observe inviolably the constitution of the Supreme Pontiff Pius X., beginning, 'Vacant sede apostolica,' given at Rome on the 25th day of December, in the year 1904, concerning the vacancy in the Holy See and the election of a Roman Pontiff.

"I swear not to receive a commission from any civil power under any pretext to propose a veto even under the form of a simple desire, in accordance with the constitution 'commissum nobis' given by Pius X., January 24th, 1904, and not to disclose anything, no matter how known to me, either in open conclave or to the individual Cardinals by writing or orally, directly or indirectly, before or during the conclave, and I promise to lend no help, or countenance no intervention of any civil power in the election of the Pope.

"Likewise, I shall observe minutely each and all decrees, especially those which have emanated from the Sacred Congregation of Ceremonies, or those who come from it, relative to the sublime dignity of the Cardinalate, nor shall I do anything repugnant to the honor and dignity of the Cardinalate."

Chapter 21