Page:The Roman index of forbidden books.djvu/37

Rh books and writings. It performed this task in the beginning and has always exercised the power of passing on books. By this transfer, the Pope points out, every danger of a collision, which might become very embarrassing, is evaded. The prevention of such collisions has indeed been one of the chief reasons for Pius X to undertake the complete reorganization of the Roman Curia. (See Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. IX, pp. 162, 167.) Only a few verdicts concerning objectionable books have emanated from the Holy Office since the suppression of the Index Congregation.

The Roman Congregations are not infallible. But they represent the Pope in his capacity as shepherd of the entire flock of Christ. Therefore we owe them obedience. Their regulations and orders must find us even more willing to obey than those of our bishops and pastors, to whom only a small portion of Christ's kingdom is committed.

Our confidence in the fairness of the verdicts of the Roman authorities will be much