The Present Truth, vol. 11
July 18, 1895
“The Papacy and Civilisation. Rome and the Ostrogoths” The Present Truth 11, 29, pp. 453, 454.
ROME AND THE OSTROGOTHS
A FEW weeks ago we examined on its merits, and in the light of indisputable historical facts, the claim that the Papacy is the source and stay of civilisation. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.1
We found that in the great and leading opportunity which she first sought and found, for the establishment of a permanent “Christian civilisation,” she proved herself a most deplorable failure—that, instead of purifying and enlightening anything, she corrupted and darkened everything. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.2
We found that the claim that is made by her, and in her behalf by some “Protestants,” that she civilised the barbarians who destroyed the Western Empire, is false: that instead of converting them she corrupted them; and instead of aiding them in any way, she retarded them in every way. And we promised to show now what she did for those whom she could not corrupt; and what she did within her own proper sphere in the way of helping or blessing mankind. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.3
And assuredly the time when she had the most untrammelled opportunities to do what she could or would do for nations—that is the time which presents the fairest point from which to view her. In studying these things we are but studying the lessons which faithful history has taught—alas, however, too much in vain. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.4
We may take as an example the history of the Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy, under Theodoric, who was, to the Catholic, and heretic. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.5
PEACE AND SECURITY UNDER THE “HERETIC”
THEODORIC ruled Italy thirty-three years, A. D. 493-526, during which time Italy enjoyed such peace and quietness and absolute security as had never been known there before, and has never been known there since until 1870. The people of his own nation numbered two hundred thousand men, which, with the proportionate number of women and children, formed a population of nearly one million. His troops, formerly so wild and given to plunder, were restored to such discipline that in a battle in Dacia, in which they were completely victorious “the rich spoils of the enemy lay untouched at their feet,” because their leader had given no signal of pillage. When such discipline prevailed in the excitement of a victory and in an enemy’s country, it is easy to understand the peaceful order that prevailed in their own new-gotten lands which the Herulians had held before them. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.6
During the ages of violence and revolution which had passed, large tracts of land in Italy had become utterly desolate and uncultivated; almost the whole of the rest was under imperfect culture; but now “agriculture revived under the shadow of peace, and the number of husbandmen multiplied by the redemption of captives;” and Italy, which had so long been fed from other countries, now actually began to export grain. Civil order was so thoroughly maintained that “the city gates were never shut either by day or by night, and the common saying that a purse of gold might be safely left in the fields, was expressive of the conscious security of the inhabitants.”—Gibbon and Milman. Merchants and other lovers of the blessings of peace thronged from all parts. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.7
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
BUT not alone did civil peace reign. Above all, there was perfect freedom in the exercise of religion. In fact, the measure of civil liberty and peace always depends upon that of religious liberty. Theodoric and his people were Arians, yet at the close of a fifty-years’ rule of Italy, the Ostrogoths could safely challenge their enemies to present a single authentic case in which they had ever persecuted the Catholics. Even the mother of Theodoric and some of his favorite Goths had embraced the Catholic faith with perfect freedom from any molestation whatever. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.8
The separation between Church and State, between civil and religious powers, was clear and distinct. Church property was protected in common with other property, while at the same time it was taxed in common with all other property. The clergy were protected in common with all other people, and they were likewise, in common with all other people, cited before the civil courts to answer for all civil offenses. In all ecclesiastical matters they were left entirely to themselves. Even the papal elections Theodoric left entirely to themselves, and though often solicited by both parties to interfere, he refused to have anything at all to do with them, except to keep the peace, which in fact was of itself no small task. He declined even to confirm the papal elections, an office which had been exercised by Odoacer. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.9
GOLDEN PRINCIPLES OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
NOR was this merely a matter of toleration; it was in genuine recognition of the rights of conscience. In a letter to the emperor Justin, A.D. 524, Theodoric announced the genuine principle of the rights of conscience, and the relationship that should exist between religion and the State, in the following words, worthy to be graven in letters of gold:— PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.10
To pretend to a dominion over the conscience, is to usurp the prerogative of God. By the nature of things, the power of sovereigns is confined to political government. They have no right of punishment but over those who disturb the public peace. The most dangerous heresy is that of a sovereign who separates himself from part of his subjects, because they believe not according to his belief. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.11
Similar pleas had before been made by the parties oppressed, but never before had the principle been announced by the party in power. The enunciation and defence of a principle by the party who holds the power to violate it, is the surest pledge that the principle is held in genuine sincerity. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.12
The description of the state of peace and quietness in Italy above given, applies to Italy, but not to Rome; to the dominions of Theodoric and the Ostrogoths, but not to the city of the pope and the Catholics. How affairs went amongst the subjects of the Pope, and how the Catholic Church finally compassed the destruction of the Ostrogothic power we will consider next week. PTUK July 18, 1895, page 453.13
A. T. JONES.