THE POPE AND THjE POLES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 130523, 27 January 1906, Page 5

THE POPE AND THjE POLES.

Th>3 Pope bas issued a most important Encyclical, addressed to 1 the Bishops of Russian Poland 1 , recommendm'g the Poles to co-operate in the pacification of the Empire, obpy t'bsir rulers and avoid sedition. The Pope says' he, is preoccupied 1 by the grave crisis in, Poland amdi will try to contribute to its complete pacifiofttion. Evils are afflicting 1 Poland and many duties weigh upon the Episcopacy and tbe faithful. Among evils are subversive parties which are spreading terror and causinig' damage. Although the good Poles are in the majority, they lack energy, which renders possible the deplorable excesses unwort/hy of civilised people, such as massacres of Jews, which are condemned and detested by the evangelical law, which imposes love on all indiscriminately.

Recalling the - words of Pope Leo XIII. in his Encyclical of 1904, the Pontiff says t

**Be submissive to the rulers who exercise power by the will of God. Poles should sacredly protect their civil discipline and should abstain from taking- part in the plots of wicked men. From their gatherings rio ' seditious act should ever emanate, arid 1 they should make every effort to maintain peace and justice."

The Pope renders homage to the wisdom and goodness of Emperor Nicholas, who, by the ukase of April 30,' granted freedom of conscience, giving happiness to many soufs 1 . This concession was confirmed and amplified by the ukase of October 30, so the clergy • must assist those I who wish! to embrace Catholicism.

The Pontiff concludes by exhorting the Poles to avail" - themselves of the rights of . citizenship and with loyalty and diligence to contribute to the progressive amelioration of Russian Poland,, assuring them that he will constantly use his influence with the Emperor and the Government for the religious and moral good of the Polish people.