Hayes of the archdiocese of New York. In a
"Christmas Pastoral" this dignitary even went to the extent of declaring
that "even though some little angels in the flesh, through the physical
or mental deformities of their parents, may appear to human eyes
hideous, misshapen, a blot on civilized society, we must not lose
sight of this Christian thought that under and within such visible
malformation, lives an immortal soul to be saved and glorified for all
eternity among the blessed in heaven."(2)
With the type of moral philosophy expressed in this utterance, we
need not argue. It is based upon traditional ideas that have had the
practical effect of making this world a vale of tears. Fortunately such
words carry no weight with those who can bring free and keen as well as
noble minds to the consideration of the matter. To them the idealism of
such an utterance appears crude and cruel. The menace to civilization of
such orthodoxy, if it be orthodoxy, lies in the fact that its powerful
exponents may be fore a time successful not merely in influencing
the conduct of their adherents but in checking freedom of thought and
discussion. To this, with all the vehemence of emphasis at our command,
we object. From what Archbishop Hayes believes concerning the future
blessedness in Heaven of the souls of those who are born into this world
as hideous and misshapen beings he has a right to seek such consolation
as may be obtained; but we who are trying to better the conditions of
this world believe that a healthy, happy human race is more in keeping
with the laws of God, than disease, misery and poverty perpetuating
itself generation after generation.
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