CATHOLIC PRAYERS FOR AMERICAN ARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1898, Page 3

CATHOLIC PRAYERS FOR AMERICAN ARMS.

ALL PRIESTS DIRECTED TO OFFER PETITIONS DAILY FOR PEACE THROUGH A 'GLORIOUS VICTORY.' WASHINGTON, May 8. The Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United State 3 have agreed upon a circular letter to b:; addressed to the clergy and laity of the country, and it will be read in every church next Sunday. The letter, which has been indorsed by Mgr. Martinelli, the Apostolic Dele* gate, is as follows: — 'To the Clergy and Laity of the Catholic Church of the United States, Greeting: 'The events that have succeeded the blowing up of the battle-ship Maine and the sacrifice of 2G6 innocent victims, the patriotic seamen of the United States, have culminated in war between Spain and our own beloved country. "Whatever may have been the individual opinions of Americans prior to the declaration of war, there can now be no two opinions as to the duty of every loyal American citizen. A resort to arms was determined upon by the Chief Executive of the nation, with the advice of both houses of Congress and after consultation with his Cabinet officers, but not until after every effort had been exhausted to bring about an honourable and peaceful solution of our difficulties with Spain. The patient calm- • ness, the diginified forbearance, the subdued firmness of President McKinley during the trying time that intervened between the destruction of the Maine and the declaration are beyond all praise and should command the admiration of every true American. AYe, the members of the Catholic Church, are true Americans, and as such are loyal to our country and our flag and obedient to the highest decrees and the supreme authority of the nation. We are not now engaged in a war of section against section, or State against State, but we are united as one man against a foreign enemy and a common foe. If, as we are taught by our holy Church, love of country is next to love of God, a duty imposed on us by all laws human and divine, then it is our duty to labour and to pray for the temporal and spiritual well-being of the brave soldiers who are battling for our beloved country. Let us faithfully beg the God of Battles to crown their arms on land and sea with victory and triunion, and to stay unnecessary effusion of blood and speedily to restore peace to our beloved land and people. 'To this end we direct that on and after the receipt of this circular, and until the close of this war, every priest shall In his daily mass pray for the restoration of peace by a glorious victory for our flag. We also direct that prayers for the brave soldiers and sailors that fall in the battle be said every day after a mass.: These prayers shall bo said aloud with the people, and shall ba one Our Father and one Hail Mary and the De Profundis. 'We pray that God may bless and preserve our country in this great crisis, and speedily bring victory, honour and peace to all our people.'