Yesterday, 08:19 AM
VIII. Protestant Martyrs.
— Protestantism has no Martyrs. — A martyr gives his life in steadfast testimony of the faith of Jesus Christ. He dies, not for the sake of personal opinion, but for the doctrine of the Church of God. He is not obstinate but faithful. Hence every Christian put to death out of hatred to the faith is a martyr.
Are those few Protestants, who have suffered martyrdom for their religious opinions, martyrs? Not at all. They staked their lives to uphold private ideas and convictions purely human; preferring their own defiance to their lives. It is a death crowning man's pride; whereas, a veritable martyrdom is the most perfect act of humble submission and total self-abnegation. It is not enough to be killed in order to be a martyr. It must needs be a death suffered for the sake of a truth which one's honor will maintain even at the cost of life.
In the pretended martyrs of reformed sects we find fanaticism, defiance, self-glory, and madness, — all offspring of pride. On the other hand, the true martyrs — those whom Holy Church offers to Jesus Christ, from St. Stephen down to those recently killed for the faith in China and Ava — all die in the peace of God; meek and humble, like innocent victims, expressing love for their executioners, — martyrs worthy of Jesus both in life and death.
— Protestantism has no Martyrs. — A martyr gives his life in steadfast testimony of the faith of Jesus Christ. He dies, not for the sake of personal opinion, but for the doctrine of the Church of God. He is not obstinate but faithful. Hence every Christian put to death out of hatred to the faith is a martyr.
Are those few Protestants, who have suffered martyrdom for their religious opinions, martyrs? Not at all. They staked their lives to uphold private ideas and convictions purely human; preferring their own defiance to their lives. It is a death crowning man's pride; whereas, a veritable martyrdom is the most perfect act of humble submission and total self-abnegation. It is not enough to be killed in order to be a martyr. It must needs be a death suffered for the sake of a truth which one's honor will maintain even at the cost of life.
In the pretended martyrs of reformed sects we find fanaticism, defiance, self-glory, and madness, — all offspring of pride. On the other hand, the true martyrs — those whom Holy Church offers to Jesus Christ, from St. Stephen down to those recently killed for the faith in China and Ava — all die in the peace of God; meek and humble, like innocent victims, expressing love for their executioners, — martyrs worthy of Jesus both in life and death.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre