THE POPE AND SCOTLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 6

THE POPE AND SCOTLAND.

LETTER TO ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS. Pope Leo XIII has addressed the following letter to the Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops of Scotland: — ' " Venerable brethren, health and Apostolic blessing. The ardent charity which renders us solicitousforthe salvation of our separated brethren in nowise permits us to cease our efforts to bring back to the embrace of the Good Shepherd those whom manifold error causes to stand aloof from the one fold of Christ ■ . _ . . Scotland, so dear to the HolySee, and in a special manner to us, has its place in our care and solicitude. "We love to recall the fact' that over 20 years ago the first act of our Apostolic ministry'was performed in, favour of Scotland, for on the second day of our • Pontificate we gave back to -the - Scottish people their ecclesiastical hierarchy. From that day forward, with your efficient _co-operation, venerable brethren, and that of your clergy, we have constantly sought to promote the welfare of your nation, which is naturally inclined to embrace the truth. And now that we .are so far advanced in years that the end cannot be delayed much longer we have thought it meet- to address you, venerable brethren, and thus give your nation a further proof of our Apostolic affection." After a reference to the history of' the church in Scotland, claiming that the power and constancy, of . the. Catholic faith. gave Wallace and Bruce their indomitablo courage, and that it was to. the church that • Scotland owed her universities and judicial system, the Pope, proceeds:— ' • ■ • ■ " But since then a great change has come to pass,' tho ancient faith having been extinguished in the minds of the vast majority of yourcountrymen. Are we to suppose that it will never be restored? There are indeed some signs which lead us to hope that, by- the grace of God, a brighter religious future awaits the Scotch people. We see that Catholics are more liberally and kindly dealt with as time goes on, that Catholic doctrines are no longer publicly held up to scorn, as perhaps was formerly the case, but, on the contrary, are favourably considered •by many, and accepted by not.a few. We also perceive that false views and opinions, which effectively prevent the perception of truth, are gradually disappearing. May the search after truth spread more and more, for there is no doubt that an accurate knowledge of the Catholic religion, drawn from its own and not from extraneous sources, will clear away many prejudices. "We know-that many of the Scottish people who do not agree with us in faith sincerely love the name of Christ, and strive to ascertain His doctrine and to imitate His most holy example. But how can they obtain what they are striving for if they do not allow themselves to be taught heavenly things in the way prescribed by Jesus Christ himself; if they do not give heed to the church whose precepts they are commanded to obey by the Author of the faith as if they were His own— 'He who heareth you hearetb me; he who despiseth" you despiseth mo'; if they do not seek the nourishment of their souls and the sustenance of all virtue from Him whom the Supreme Pastor of souls made His vicegerent,to whom He confided the care of the universal church.^ In the meantime we are resolved not to fail in doing pur share, and especially to be constant in fervent prayer, that God may move their minds to what is good, and vouchsafe to impart to them the most powerful impulses of His grace. May the Divine clemency, thus earnestly implored by us, grant to the -church that supreme consolation of speedily embracing the whole Scottish people restored to tho faith of their forefathers ' in spirit and in truth.' What incalculable blessings would not accrue to them if they wore once more united to us. Perfect and absolute truth would everywhere shine forth, together with the mestimablo gifts which were forfeited by separation. There is one amongst all others the loss of which is more deplorable than -words can express; wo allude to the most holy sacrifice in which Jesus Christ, both priest and victim, daily offers Himself to His I'atuer through tho ministry of His priests on earth. By virtue of this sacrifice the infamte merits of Christ, gained by His.precious blood shed once upon the Cross for the salvation of men, are applied to our souls. This be--7? i Pr^ lecl among the Scottish people in St. Uolumba s day and in subsequent ages when your grand and majestic cathedrals were raised throughout the land, which still testify to the art and piety of your ancestors." The Pope then proceeds to justify tho sacrifice of the Mass, and concludes with an address to the Catholics themselves, bidding ttiem labour and pray, and at the same time distinguish themselves by the practice of virtue in public life, so that it should be more and more clearly shown that Catholicism cannot be said, without calumny, to run counter to the interests of the State, but that, on thecontrary, nothing else contributes so much to the honourable and successful discharge of social duties. He specially commends the Catholic education of youth. "We aro not," he says, " unmindful of the fact that in Scotland thoroughly efficient schools exist, in which the best method of teaching is to be found. But every effort must bo put forth, and. every. sacrifice must be made, so thatCatholic schools should be second to none'iii point of efficiency. We must not allow our youth to be inferior to others in literary attainments or in learning, which the Christian faith demands as its honourable accompaniments with a view to its defence and adornment." . . . The letter concludes with the Apostolic blessing, is dated St. Peter's, Rome, the 25th day of July, in the year 1898, and is. signed Leo XIII, Pope.