Theological Journal - July 18 Lee Camp: Scandalous Witness (4)
PROPOSITION 4 Christianity Is Neither a Prostitute nor a Chaplain Three Prayers Father William Corby was present in early July 1863 at Gettysburg. The opposing armies faced off. Corby called the soldiers together for what became a famous moment. He offered the following prayer of absolution for their sins and blessed them in battle. Colonel St. Clair Mulholland gave this account: “There is yet a few minutes to spare before starting, and the time is occupied in one of the most impressive religious ceremonies I have ever witnessed. . . . [The Irish Brigade] stood in columns of regiments closed in mass. As the large majority of its members were Catholics, the Chaplain of the brigade Rev. William Corby, CSC, proposed to give a general absolution to all the men before going into the fight. While this is customary in the armies of Catholic countries of Europe, it was perhaps the first time it was ever witnessed on this continent. . . . Father Corby stood upon a large rock i...