There was division in the Archdiocese of Aix between those who had been faithful to the Bishop and those who had not recognized his authority \u2013 which had come from Napoleon and not from the Pope. Eugene clearly sided with the latter.<\/p>\n
\nCompromises undermine discipline; advantage is taken of silence when duty called for speaking out. Let us determine, if we cannot destroy outright, these detestable so-called freedoms, dangerous haunt where impiety, constitutional schism, insubordination and the revolt of our Bonapartists have ever sought refuge. In this gloomy lair one ends up being a Catholic only in name; at least one often adopts the heterodox stance. People of this ilk come out with it in all its shades. Not when I am around, for they are afraid of me, I do not know why, or rather, I know very well why.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The fiery young Eugene thundered on:<\/p>\n
\nThis is so true that the Bishop of Metz, according to what they write from Paris, sees me as his most feared adversary, not only in Aix, which might well have some basis, but even in Paris, which is absolutely untrue. Anyway, it is only his principles I contest, as they are not in conformity with the truth and the holy traditions of our Fathers. I could go on forever about this, as it is one of the present wounds of the Church, that it must cure with steel and fire, if more gentle remedies should not work effectively. As to myself, I am quite resolved to defend the Church\u2019s discipline with as much zeal and passion as dogma itself.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Forbin Janson, June 1814, EO XV n. 125<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There was division in the Archdiocese of Aix between those who had been faithful to the Bishop and those who had not recognized his authority \u2013 which had come from Napoleon and not from the Pope. Eugene clearly sided with … Continue reading