Page:The Roman index of forbidden books.djvu/13

Rh a truth clearly contained in the words of Christ to St. Peter: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep," and in the duty imposed on the Apostles of "teaching the faithful to observe all, whatsoever I have commanded you."

The fact that general councils as well as many popes have issued laws and decrees regarding books, is sufficient evidence of their power and of their commission to do this. This very fact must also convince us that the observation of these laws must be salutary and conducive to the welfare of the Church at large and of the individual Christian.

The inventions, discoveries and progress of our times can introduce no change in this respect. The human mind is still as prone to err and as much subject to the persuasive influence of books as it ever was. Good books are as useful to-day as they were in olden times, and objectionable writings have the same deplorable effects they had a thousand years ago.

Nor can the Church, possessing the power to watch over our reading, neglect