91
Belgium: Pius VII. granted an Indult to the prelates of France, February 27, 1809, authorising them to permit the having and reading prohibited, heretical, and infidel books — d'avoir et de lire les livres défendus, même ceux des hérétiques et des incrédules, à l'exception néanmoins des livres d'astrologie judiciaire, des livres superstitieux, et des livres obscènes; et de communiquer à d'autres la même faculté, ayant égard à la science et la probité des supplians.[1]
Let the reader now revert to the Bull Cænæ Domini, particularly as relates to literaure. Let him reflect upon the circumstances by which it is illustrated and confirmed. Let him recollect that the kind of books proscribed is not left to random conjecture, but, in catalogues solemnly compiled, and from time to time enlarged and altered by the highest authority in the Roman Church, is
- ↑ Complement de la Corresp. de la Cour de Rome avec Buonaparte, &c. par Muzarelli, Paris, 1814, pp. 508-512. I seek the document in vain in the London Relation, &c.
Clement XI. in 1701, is recited at length as the most authentic, and, till repealed by lawful authority, universally binding rule, for the emission of that forinidable thunderbolt. If any thing were wanting to preclude the pretence of the bull not being in force in any part of the Papal dominions, it would be supplied by the assurance to be found in Dens, ii. p. 129, that tacit congent is sufficient. All other formalities are unessential.
