It is seen in the following quotation from an eminent Catholic authority writing in Ireland in the middle of the last century, Dr.
Murray, of Maynooth: "The Church has issued no definition whatever on the question--has left it open.

Many theologians have written on it; the great majority, however (so far as I have been able to examine them), pass it over in silence." (_Essays chiefly Theological_, vol.4).

This has to be kept in mind.

Theologians have written, some on one side and some on the other, but the Church has left it open.

I need not labour the point why it is useful to quote Catholic authorities in particular, since in Ireland an army representative of the people would be largely Catholic, and much former difficulty arose from Catholics in Ireland meeting with opposition from some Catholic authorities.