Liberalism Is a Sin by Fr. Felix Sarda Y Salvany Originally published in English in 1899 by B. Herder Book Co., St. Louis, Missouri under the title What Is Liberalism? and reprinted in 1979 and 1989 by TAN Books and Publishers, Inc. Retypeset by TAN Books and Publishers, Inc. in 1993, under the titleLiberalism Is a Sin, which is a translation of the original Spanish title, El Liberalismo es Pecado. Preface In 1886 there appeared in Spain a little work under the title El Liberalismo es Pecado: Liberalism Is A Sin, by Don Felix Sarda y Salvany, a priest of Barcelona and editor of a journal called La Revista Popular. The book excited considerable commotion. It was vigorously assailed by the Liberals. A Spanish Bishop, of a Liberal turn, instigated an answer to Dr. Sarda's work by another Spanish priest. Both books were sent to Rome praying the Sacred Congregation of the Index to put Dr. Sarda's work under the ban. The following letter, under date January 10, 1887, from the Sacred Congregation itself, explains the result of its consideration of the two volumes: To The Most Rev. Jacbobo Catala et Alboso, Bishop of Barcelona Most Excellent Sir: The Sacred Congregation of the Index has received the denunciation of the little work bearing the title El Liberalismo es Pecade by Don Felix Sarda y Salvany, a priest of your diocese; the denunciation was accompanied at the same time by another little work entitled El Proceso del Integrismo, that is A refutation of the errors contained in the little work El Liberalismo es Pecado.The author of the second work is D. de Pazos, a canon of the diocese of Vich. Wherefore the Sacred Congregation has carefully examined both works, and decided as follows: In the first not only is nothing found contrary to sound doctrine, but its author, D. Felix Sarda merits great praise for his exposition and defense of the sound doctrine therein set forth with solidity, order and lucidity, and without personal offense to anyone. The same judgement, however, cannot be passed on the other work by D. de Pazos, for in matter it needs corrections. Moreover his injurious manner of speaking cannot be approved, for he inveighs rather against the person of D. Sarda, than against the latter's supposed errors. Therefore the Sacred Congregation has commanded D. de Pazos, admonished by his own Bishop, to withdraw his book, as far as he can, from circulation, and in future, if any discussion of the subject should arise, to abstain from all expressions personally injurious, according to the precept of true Christian charity; and this all the more since Our Holy Father, Leo XIII, while he urgently recommends castigation of error, neither desires nor approves expressions personally injurious, especially when directed against those who are eminent for their doctrine and their piety. In communicating to you this order of the Sacred Congregation of the Index, that you may be able to make it known to the illustrious priest of your diocese, D. Sarda, for his peace of mind, I pray God to grant you all happiness and prosperity and subscribe myself with great respect, Your most obedient servant, Fr. Jerome Scheri, O.P. Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Index. The following short chapters on Liberalism are mainly and substantially Dr. Sarda's book, put into English and adapted to our American conditions. Their need and their use will be best understood and appreciated by their perusal. This book is in the Public Domain.