Louis Veuillot: The Liberal Illusion [1866]

[Stone]

The Liberal Illusion

Chapter XV


It is true that Liberalism proclaims the contrary. The lamp, it says, will shine all the more brightly, and it is then that it will succeed in piercing the darkness. Once we have become toned-down Catholics, modified Catholics, in short, new Catholics, we shall convert the world.

In dilating on that point, liberal Catholics are inexhaustible. This illusion sets their minds at ease regarding the misgivings of their hearts; they hug it, and the eloquence with which they hold forth on the subject betrays the ravenousness of their Esau’s appetite — of their craving for the mess of pottage. Unfortunately for them, the seductive picture of the conquests religion may be expected to achieve as a result of co- operation on the part of the liberal mind, is spoiled by a remembrance all too hard to forget.

At the beginning of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the Tempter drew nigh to where Jesus had retired in the desert, and perceiving that He was tormented by hunger, said to Him: “Command that these stones be made bread.” Jesus answered him: “Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.” Then the Tempter took Him up and set him upon the pinnacle of the Temple and said to Him: “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written that He hath given His angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him: “It is written too, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” The Tempter made a last effort, and gave away his secret. He took the Savior up into a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them — “All these,” said he, “will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.” Jesus answered him: “Begone. It is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.” Satan withdrew, and at the same time angels came and ministered to Jesus.25

Finally, Liberalism utters its last word: I control the world and I will give you the world . . .

But it always imposes the selfsame condition: If, falling down, thou wilt adore me. Descend to, fall to, grovel on, the plane of equality with those who have no God, and defer to the people of means whom I shall commit to your charge after they have been put under oath never to cross the threshold of a place of prayer: then you will see how the world will honor you and listen to you, and how Jerusalem will be born anew more beautiful than before.

“The king of nothing,” said Saint Gregory VII, “promises to fill our hands. Thus do certain princes of the Earth, who are not assured of so much as a single day, dare to speak to the Vicar of Jesus Christ. They say: We will give you the power, the glory, the riches, if you recognize our supremacy, if you make us your God; if, falling down at our feet, you will adore us.”

How often has this form of seduction been tried! To the Popes whom he persecuted, Frederick of Germany promised a vast development of the Faith; Cavour thought to trap Pius IX by means of this mirage; the Parliament of Florence, multiplying insults and robberies, rehashed the same old argument — mockery mingled with stupidity. None of them ever makes the least variation on the original theme: To leave the camp of Israel, to quit the sterile Rock of Rome, to close the ear to the responses of this sacred Ark that never utters new oracles; finally, to fall down, to adore the Liar and to believe him alone!

25 Matth. ch. IV.