Page:The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.djvu/547



THE BIBLICAL COMMISSION. 541

opinion of hagiographers ; and in that they will receive Our warmest approbation. Let them draw from this sci- ence new resources by availing themselves even of the as- sistance of non-CathoUc scholars. In doing so they need not fear Our disapprobation. They should, however, be careful not to draw from habitual association with such writers independence of judgment, for in point of fact the system which is known in our days as higher criticism frequently leads to such results. Its dangerous rashness We have more than once already condemned.

In the third place, it is of importance that this com- mission should consecrate its most special attention to that part of these studies which properly concerns the explanation of the Scriptures and which opens to the faithful a great source of spiritual profit. In whatever touches the texts whose sense has been fixed in an au- thentic manner, either by the sacred writers or by the Church, the commission, it is needless to say, should be convinced that only that interpretation can be adopted. Such is the rule of sound hermeneutics. But there exist numerous passages upon which the Church has not yet given any fixed or precise definition, with regard to which it is permitted to each doctor in his individual capacity to profess and to sustain the opinion which seems to him to be correct. They must know, however, that on these points they should keep as the rules of interpretation the analogy of faith and of Catholic doctrine. Moreover, we must be on our guard in this matter against transgressing, in the excessive ardor of debate, the limits of mutual char- ity. It is also of importance not to seem to discuss re- vealed truths and divine traditions. If they make light of intellectual concord, and if these principles are not safeguarded, we cannot have any right to expect that the divergent labors of such a great number of scholars will accomphsh any notable progress in this science.

Hence this commission will have as its task to regulate in a legitimate and suitable manner the principal ques-