Page:Orthodox Eastern Church (Fortescue).djvu/428

390 yet another element to the joy of the just. As for indulgences, here, too, they should distinguish between the teaching of the Roman Church and the pious imaginations and practices of some of her children. The Church says only that: "Since the power of giving indulgences has been granted by Christ to his Church, and since she has used this divinely-given power from most ancient times, the holy Synod (of Trent) teaches and commands that the use of indulgences, which are exceedingly good for Christian people and are approved by the authority of general councils, shall be kept in the Church." In this matter the "Church of the Seven Councils, one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic," which Anthimos VII so vehemently professed to follow, agrees with the Council of Trent. During the centuries of persecution the libellus, by which part of canonical penances were remitted because of a martyr's intercession, and the libellaticus who had procured himself such a remission were as well known as indulgences and the pious persons who use them are to us now. As for possible excesses of zeal and imaginations beyond what the Church teaches in such matters as these, the same Council of Trent orders that: "More difficult and subtle questions, which do not make for edification and from which as a rule no one receives an increase of piety, shall be forbidden in sermons to the people. And bishops shall not allow uncertain things or such as bear the mark of falsehood to be propagated or discussed. And they shall forbid as scandalous and as an offence to the faithful whatever serves only for curiosity or superstition or whatever savours of filthy lucre." That popular abuses exist is always inevitable; nor would it be just to make the Orthodox Church responsible for everything that is contained in little Greek manuals of piety. "Where," says Mgr. Duchesne, "are there not abuses? Instead of being scandalized at them, it would be better to come and help us repress them. When the union is restored it will not only be good for the Greeks; Latins, too, will profit by it."