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One should be well warned that this book contains dangerous heresies from the synthesis of all heresies, Modernism. As such it is only useful as a research tool to uncover the efforts of Modernists to minimize doctrine. This introduction shows the Modernist mindset: Judging from what I know, the author is a devout Christian and also a good Catholic in the broad sense of the word. He has been an active priest for many years, and is devoted to his pastoral work. But his piety has suffered severe shocks and he is fretting under the conflict between the ideal he cherishes and the realization with which, to his deep regret, he finds so much fault. The result is a state of mind which can be imagined from these letters to the highest ecclesiastical authority. They are written in the hope that His Holiness will hear the voice crying in the wilderness. If we are not mistaken in the signs of the time, this voice is not isolated. It finds a strong resonance in the minds of many pious Catholics, who realize that it would not be wise to speak out boldly because of the subtle methods of the organized hierarchy, which have hitherto proved very efficient in meeting any attempt at reform. It is easy enough to force the discontented out of the church, but the church would scarcely be benefited thereby. This work looks forward to a future, which was realized some years later during and after Vatican II: These letters are not intended to create a sensation, but to prepare for a future which, in moments of enthusiasm, seems near at hand. They have a twofold purpose. On the one hand, our author wants to make the Curia feel its enormous responsibility, and on the other hand, to educate both priest and layman for the work of reconstruction. And then we see classic Modernism: Should the Roman Catholic church not conform to the demands of the time, should the Curia continue to prevent a reformation so much needed, it is quite probable that many pious souls will break away from Rome and originate a genuine Catholic church. There are not a few who cling devoutly to the traditional form of worship, but who are dissatisfied with the narrowness of the old ecclesiastical institutions. The Introduction to this edition, the second, states: In the eighteen months since the first publication of these Letters, Pius X has abundantly justified though the measure was already full-the complaints and remonstrances which they express. The basis of these complaints and remonstrances is that set of ideas and ideals, in the name of which every reformer of modern times has spoken his protest to the Vatican-Democracy, Freedom of Intellect, and Freedom of Conscience. This work is a manifesto for an abolition of the Catholic Church and replacing it with another Church, which is in keeping with the errors of the times.

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