Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 5
November 19, 1953
NUMBER 28, PAGE 4b-5a

The Society Of Jesus

F. Y. T.

Professor George H. Dunne, whose initial article in defense of the Roman Catholic Church appears in this issue, customarily puts the letters "S.J." after his name. This means "Society of Jesus," or, as commonly known the Jesuits. Professor Dunne belongs to that Catholic order founded by Ignatius de Recalde de Loyola about the year 1534, which is recognized among Catholics generally as the "shock troop" battalion of Catholicism.

When the mighty Martin Luther smote the corrupt and decadent Catholicism of his day with shattering blows, the whole structure of the hierarchy reeled under the impact. Thousands upon multiplied thousands of devout people throughout Europe and the civilized nations of the world broke loose from the chains that bound them, renounced the gross superstition which masqueraded as religion, and turned toward the light which shone from the Reformation. So corrupt had Catholicism become, and so intense the disfavor in which she was held, that many astute historians are surprised not at the success of the Reformation but rather at its limitations. For a while it seemed entirely possible that the Roman Catholic Church might be swept entirely from the scene of human endeavor.

And such indeed might have been the case had it not been for the prodigious energy of one man — Ignatius de Loyola. By founding the Jesuits, and by virtue of the fanatical zeal with which they set about organizing parochial schools in every parish, the Roman Church was saved from destruction. Historians credit this man with being the real power that set in motion the "counter-reformation" which saved the hierarchy from total oblivion.

Professor Dunne is a distinguished member of the Society of Jesus. He no doubt shares the intense zeal so characteristic of his Order, and is militant, aggressive, and enthusiastic always in propagating Catholic doctrine. His articles reveal the close and careful reasoning which he has brought to the discussion, and we are sure he has done as good a job as could be done by any Catholic on the face of the earth in establishing his contention. That Brother Pickup refutes his basic reasonings will we think be evident to anyone who carefully reads both articles in each issue.

It is discussions of this sort, friendly, clean, and to the point that the Gospel Guardian delights to publish. We sincerely hope to be bringing our reader's many similar debates in the years before us. Let us hope that others who teach error will be as honest and forthright in attempting to defend their position as Professor Dunne.