Circular to the RomaN Catholic Clergy OF THE DIOCESES OF DUNEDIN AND AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 271, 12 July 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

Circular to the RomaN Catholic Clergy OF THE DIOCESES OF DUN ED IN AND AUCKLAND.

REVEREND DEAR SIR,- yr^zJ^t' [fjjjl I herewith forward you a Translation of the Encyclical Letter of Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII., dated last Easter Sunday, accompanied by the Latin text. I have to request you to read this Translation from the Altar or Pulpit on Sundays once in each church and chapel under your jurisdiction. I am, Rev. Dear Sir, yours, &c, >$< P. Moran, Dunedin, Bth July, 1878. Bishop ofDunedin, Ad. Auckland.

To ova. Venerable Brethren, all the Patriarchs, Primates, Aechbishops, And Bishops having Grace and Communion with the Holy See.

Leo XIII., P.P. Venerable Brethren, health and Apostolic Benediction. — No sooner had We, though unworthy, been raised, through the secret counsel of God, to the height of the Apostolic dignity, than We felt the most ardent desire, and, as it were, the need of writing to you, that We might not only give expression to the heartfelt affection We entertain towards you, but also in virtue of the office divinely entrusted to Us give strength to you, who are called to share in Our solicitude, and sustain with Us in these times Our wrestling for the Church of God and the salvation of souls.

Because, on ent ;ring on Our Pontificate, We see clearly the evils which afflict mankind ; this widely spread subversion of these supreme truths on which, as on its foundations, the order of society rests ; this perversity of mind impatient of all legitimate authority ; this perpetual fountain of discords to which intestine contests, and cruel and bloody wars owe their existence ; the contempt of the laws ■of morality and justice ; the insatiable desire of perishable things, and f orgetf ulness of the things of eternity, even to the extent of that insane fury under the influence of which so many wretched persons ■do not fear to lay violent hands upon themselves ; the improvident administration, the waste, the plunder of the public estate ; as also the shamelessness of some who, while they are grossly deceitful, so act that they may seem to be champions of their country, of Jiberty, and of every right ; finally that deadly plague which creeps through the inmost veins of society, which does not permit it to_ be at rest, and threatens it with new revolutions and dreadful calamities.

The principal cause of so many evils is to be found, We are convinced, in the contempt and rejection of that holy and august authority of the Church which presides in the name of God over mankind, and is the defender and guardian of all legitimate authority. As the enemies of public order knew this well, they thought nothing would contribute more to sap the foundations of society than to obstinately attack the Church of God ; and by means of opprobrious ■calumnies intended to excite odium and hatred against her, as if she were the enemy of true civilization, endeavour to undermine her authority and strength by new wounds daily inflicted, and overthrow the supreme power of the Roman Pontiff, who is upon earth the guardian and •defender of the eternal and immutable principles of morality and justice. From this source have sprung these laws subversive of the divine constitution of the Church, which to our great grief have been ■enacted in many States ; from this source have flowed contempt of Episcopal authority, hindrances thrown in the way of the exercise of the ecclesiastical ministry, the breaking up of religious communities, an^gz-rconfiscation of property set apart for the ministers of the ChuTcJ and the support of the poor : hence it came to pass that public institutions consecrated to charity and beneficence have been •withdrawn from the salutary management of the Church ; hence that unbridled license of wicked public teaching, whilst on the other hand the right of the Church to the instruction and education of youth has been in every way violated and oppressed. Nor to any other end tends the seizure of the Civil Principality which Divine Providence many centuries ago granted to the Roman Pontiff in order that he might freely and easily exercise the power bestowed upon him by €hrist, for the eternal salvation of men. We have reminded you, Venerable Brethren of this sad mass of afflictions, not to increase your sorrow, which this wretched state of things of itself inflicts upon you ; but in order that you may more clearly perceive how grave is the state of affairs to which our ministry and zeal should be specially directed ; and with what great ardour, in the midst of the prevailing wickedness of these times, we should, with all our strength, defend and vindicate the Church of Christ, and the dignity of this Apostolic See attacked by so many calumnies. Nothing is more evident, venerable Brethren, than that civilization has no solid foundation if it be deprived of the support of the eternal principles of truth,of the immutable laws of rectitudeand justice, and of a genuine charity which unites the minds of all, and mildly regulates the relations and grounds of duty. No one can, with truth, doubt that it was the Church, which, by spreading abroad through the nations the light of the Gospel, enlightened savage peoples steeped in foul superstitions, and brought them to recognise the Divine Author of all things, and to reflect upon themselves ; which, by abolishing slavery recalled mankind to the primeval grandeur of their most noble nature : which, having raised aloft the standard of the cross in every region ; having introduced, or protected by her guardianship, the arts

Venerabilibus Frateibus Pateiarchis Peimatibtjs Aechiepiscopis et episcopis universis oatholici oebis graham et communionem cum apostolica sede habentibits.

Leo PP. XIII. Venerabiles Fratres salutem et Apostolicam Benedictionem. — Inscrutabili Dei consilio ad Apostolicae Dignitatis fastigium licet immerentes evecti, vehement! statim desiderio ac veluti necessitate urgeri Nos sensimus, Vos litteris alloquendi, non modo ut sensus intimae dilectionis Nostrae Vobis expremeremus, sed etiam ut Vos in partem sollicitudinis Nostrae vocatos, ad sustinendam Nobiscum horura temporum dimicationem pro Ecclesia Dei et pro salute animarum ex munere Nobis divinitus credito confirmaremus,

Ab ipsis enim Nostri Pontificatus exordiis tristis Nobis sese off ert conspectus malorum qnibus hominum genus undique premitur : haec tain late patens subversio supremarum veritatum quibus, tamquam f undamentis, humanae societatis status continetur ; haec ingenionvm protervia legitimae cuiusque potestatis impatiens ; haec perpetua dissidiorum causa, unde intestinae concertationes, saeva et cruenta bella existunt ; contemptus legum quae mores regunt iustitiamque tuentur ; fluxarum rerum inexplebilis cupiditas et aeternarum oblivio usque ad vesanum ilium furorem, quo tot miseri passim violentas sibi manus inferre non timent ; inconsulta bonorum publicorum administratio effusio interversio ; nee non eorum impudentia gui, cum maxiino fallunt, id agunt, ut patriae ut libertatis et cuiuslibet iuris propugnntores esse videantur ; ea denique quae serpit per artus intimos humanae societatis lethifera quaedam pestis, quae earn quiescere non sinit, ipsique novas rerum conversiones et calamitosos exitus portendit.

Horam autem malorum causam in co praecipue sitam esse Nobis persnasum est, quod despecta ac reiecta sit sancta ilia et augustissima Ecclesiae Auctoritas, quae Dei nomine humano generi praeest, et legitimae cuiusque auctoritatis vindex est et praesidium. Quod cum hostes publici ordinis probenoverint, nib.il aptius ad societatis fundamenta convellenda putaverunt, guam si Ecclesiam Dei pertinaci aggressione peterent, et probosis calumniis in invidiam odiumque vocantes quasi ipsa civili veri nominishumanitati adversaretur, eius auctoritatem et vim novis in dies vulneribus labefactarent, supremamque potestatem RoinaniPontificiseverterent, in quo aeternae ac imutabiles boni rectique rationes custodem in terris habent et adsertorem. Hince porro profectae sunt leges divinam Catholicae Ecclesiae constitutionem convellentes, quas in plerisque regionibus latas esse deploramus ; hinc dimanarunt Episcopalis potestatis contemptus obiecta ecclesiastici Ministerii exercitio impedimenta, religiosorum coetuum disiectio ac publicatio bonorum, quibus Ecclesiae administii et pauperes alebantur ; Mnc effectum ut a salutari Ecclesiae moderamine publica instituta, caritati et beneficentiae consecrata subducerentur ; bine orta effrenis ilia libertas prava quaeque docendi et in vulgus edendijdum ex adverso modis omnibus Ecclesiae ius ad iuventutis institutionem et educationem, violatur et opprimitur. Neque alio spectat civilis Principatus occupatio, quern divina Providentia multis abbinc saeculis Romano Antistiti concessit, ut libere ac expedite potestate a Christo collata, ad aeternam populoium salutem uceretur. Funestam hanc aerumnarum molem Vobis, Venerabiles Fratres, commemoravimus, non ad augendam tristitiam Vestratn, guam miserrima baec rerum conditio per se Vobis ingerit ; sed quia intelligimus ex ea Vobis apprime perspectum fore, quanta sit gravitas rerum quae ministerium, et zelum nostrum exposcunt, et guam magno studio nobis adlaborandum sit, ut Ecclesiam Christi et huius Apostolicae Sedis dignitatem, tot calumniis lacessitam, in hac praesertiminiquitate temporum pro viribus defendamus ac vindicemus. Clare innotescit ac liquet, Venerabiles Fratres, civilis humanitatis rationem solidis fundamentis destitui, nisi aetemis principiis veritatis et immutabilibus recti iustique legibus innitatur, ac nisi hominum voluntateß inter se sincera dilectio devinciat, officiorumque inter eos vices ac rationes suaviter moderetur. lamvero ecquis negare au» deat Ecclesiam esse, quae diffuso per gentes Evangelii praeconio, lucem veritatis inter efferatos populos et foedis superstitionibus imbutos adduxit, eosque ad divinum rerum auctorem agnoscendum et sese respiciendos excitavit; quae servitutis calaraitate sublata, ad pristinam naturae nobilissimae dignitatem homines revocavit ; quae in omnibus terrae plagis redemptionis signo explicato, scientiis et artibu3 adductis aut buo tectis praesidio,

and sciences ; having founded and fostered the best institutions of charity, by which provision was made for all the ills of humanity ; everywhere, publicly and privately, laboured successfully to enoble men, delivered them from barbarism, and with the greatest ardour disposed them to a life conformable to human dignity and hope. Bnt if any man of sound mind will compare this age, most hostile to religion and the Church of Christ, in which we live, with those more fortunate times in which the Church was loved as a mother by the nations, he cannot fail to perceive that this age of ours, full of disturbance and destruction, rushes on headlong to rapid ruin ; but that those former times, remarkable for excellent institutions, calmness of life, riches and prosperity, flourished more and more in propoi tion to the obedience of the nations to the government and laws of the Church. But if these manifold good things which we have enumerated, and which have arisen through the ministry and salutary help of the Church, are the true works and glory of civilization, it is certainly not tobe imagined that the Church of Christ should be opposed to, or reject this civilization, for she certainly considers that its credit is due to her, as its mother, nurse, and teacher. But, on the other hand, that species of civilization which is at variance with the holy doctrines and laws of the Church must be regarded as nothing more than a pretence of civilization and as undeserving of the name. A manifest proof of this is afforded by those nations upon whom the light of the Gospel has not shone, amongst whom, although some semblance of civilization might bo perceived its true and solid blessings cannot be found. No, no, the perfection of civil society does not consist in despising all legitimate authority nor is that real liberty, which, establishing itself by dishonest deplorable means, allows unchecked the propagation of error, the licentiousness of low desires, impunity to scandals, and the oppression of the best citizens of every class. For as these things are false, wicked, and absurd they cannot conduce to the perfection of the human family and to its prosperity and happiness,—" Sin maketh nations miserable ; " (Prov. 13-14.) ; but, on the contrary, corruption of mind and heart must by its own weight, overwhelm nations by troubles of every sort undermine the foundations of all order, and destroying the constitution md tranquillity of the state, lead it to utter ruin.

II is only necessary to take a glance at the works of the Roman Pontificate, to see how unjust it is to call in question the great services which the Roman Pontiffs have rendered to society everywhere. Ccrtiinlyour predecessors, in order to secure what was necessary and nsjful for the well-being of nations, never hesitated to undertake contests of all soits, lo endure great labours, to face difficulties both painful and irritating ; and with eyes fixed on heaven they never quailed before the threats of the wickrd, nor permited themselves thiough flattery and promises, to betray Ihcir mission. It was this Apostolic See, which collected and united closely the remnants of ancienl society in the day of its decline ; it was the friendly torch which enabled the civilisation of Christian times to shine forth •" it was the anchor of salvation amidst the fierce tempests which assailed the human race ; it was the sacred chain of concoid which intimately united nations separated from each other by great distances and diversity of manners ; it was, in fine, the common centre not only of faith and religion, but also of affairs and of peace. What need of more ? It is the glory the greatest Pontiffs that they have most courageously made themselves, as it were, a wall and a rampart to prevent Pociety from relapsing into superstition and the ancient barbarism.

But oh, that this salutary authority had never been neglected or rejected 1 For a certainty civil Government would not have lost the sublime and sacred character which religion had impressed upon it and which alone renders obedience reasonable and ennobling nor would there have been enkindled so many seditions and wars & which have filled the earth with calamity and slaughter ; nor would kingdoms, once most flourishing, have been cast down from the summit of prosperity into the depths of oppression and miseries of every sort Do not the nations of the East afford an example of this, who, having broken the light chains which bound them to this Apostolic Sec, lost thp splendour of their ancient greatness, the glory of the arts and sciences, and the dignity of their empire. But in these- excellent and far-famed blessings, which splendid monuments of every age declare to have been lavished by the Holy See in every quarter of the earth, did this Italian region share more than others, because having been, by reason of its situation, placed nearer to the Holy See, it naturally derived more abundant fruits from it les ; Italy owes to the Roman Pontiffs the greatei part of that glory and greatness which render her conspicuous amongst all nations. It was their authority aud paternal care which often shielded her from the attacks of enemies, and afforded her relief and aid, whence it came to pass that the Catholic faith has been at all times preserved pure in the hearts of Italians.

Here, passing over others, we may make special mention of the times of St. Leo the Great, Alexander 111., Innocent 111., St Pius V., Leo X and other Pontiffs, through whose labours and powerful protection' particularly of Ihe greatest amongst them, Italy escaped the utter ruin threatened by the barbarians, saved her ancient faith, and in the midfrt of the darkness and squalor of universal decay cultivated and preserved science and the arts. "We appeal, as to a witness of these things, to this Our fair city, the seat of the Pontiffs, which is indebted to them for the groat blessing of being, not only the strongest fortress of the faith, but also the asylum of the fine arts, and the home of wisdom, thus attracting lo herself the admiration and respect of the whole world. In the presence of the splendour of such facts, consigned to memory in imperishable monuments it is evident that both writers and speakers give expression to gross calumnies, who, for the purpose of imposing on the multitude, declare that the Holy See is an obstacle to the civilization of the people, and the prosperity of Italy. If, then, the hopes of Italy and the whole world are intimately bound up with the influence of the Holy See, so well calculated to promote the public good, and with the intimate union of all the faithful with the Roman Pontiff, so much more reason, therefore, have We to labour to preserve intact the dignity of the Roman See, and consolidate the union of the members with the head, of the children with their Father.

optimis caritatis institutis, queis omnis generis aerumnis conultum est, fundatis et in tutelam receptis, übique hominum genus privatim et publice excoluit, a squalore vindicavib et ad vitae formam, humanae dignitati ac spei consentanean', omnt studio composuit ? Quod si guis sanae mentis hanc ipsam qua vivimus aetatcm, Religioni at Ecclesiac Christi infensissimam, cum iis temporibus auspicatissimis conferat, quibus Ecclesia uti mater a gentibus colebatur, omnino comperiet aetatem hanc nostram perturbatia*ibus et demolitionibus plenam, recta ac rapide in suain pemiciem ruerc, oa vero tempora optimis institutis, vitae tranquilitate, opibus et prospentate co magis floruisse, quo Ecclesiae regiminis ac legum sese observantiores populi exhibuerunt. Quod si plurima ea quae memoravimus bona, ab Ecclesiae ministerio et salutari ope profecta, vera sunt humanitatis civilis opera ac decora, tantum abest ut Ecclesia Cnnsti ab ea abhorreat eamve respuat, ut ad sese potius altricis magistrae et matris civs laudem omnino censcat pertinerc.

Quin immo illud civilis humanitatis genus, quod sanctis Ecclesiac doctrinis et legibus ex adverso repugnet, non aliud nisi civilis cultue, figmentum et abs re nomen inane putandum est. Cuius rei manifesto sunt arguniento populi illi, queis evangclica lux non affulsit, quorum in vita fucus quidam huinanioris cultus conspici potuit, at solida et vera eius bona non viguerunt. Haudquaquam sane civilis vitae perfectio ea duenda est, qua legitima quaeque potestas audacter contemnitur; neque ea libertas reputanda, quae effreni errorum propagatione, pravis cupiditatihus libere explcndis, impunitatc flagitiorunTct scelerum, oispressione optimorum civium cuiusque ordinis, turpiter et misere grassatur. Cum enim erronea prava et absona haec sint, non earn vim profecto habent, ut bumanam familiam perficiant et prosperitate fortunent, miseves enim faclt pojndos peccatwm (1) ; scd omnino neccssc est, ut rnentibus et cordibus corruptis, ipsa in oinnem labom pondere suo populos detrudant, rectum quemque ordinen labefactent, atque ita reipublicae conditionem et tranquillitatcm serius ocius ad ultimum exitium adducant.

Quid autem, si Romani Pontificatus opera spectcntur, iniquius esse potest, qnam inficiari quantopere Ilomani Antistit-js de universa civili societate et guam egregie sint meriti ? Profecto Dccessores Nostri, ut populorum bono prospicercnt, omnis generis certamina suscipere, graves exantlarc labores, segue asperis difficultatibus obiicorc nunquam dubitarunt : et defixis in caelo oculis neque improborum minis submiscrc f rontem, neque blanditiis aut pcllicifcationibus sc ab officio abduci degeneri assensu passi sunt. Fuit haec Apostolica Sede.", quae dilapsas societatis voteris reliquias collegit ot coagmentavit; hacc eadem fax arnica fuit, qua humanitas christianorum tcmporum effulsit ; fuit haec salutis anchora inter saevissimas tempestates, queis huruana progenies iactata est ; sacrum fuit concordiae vinculum quod nationes dissitas moribusque diversas inter se consociavit : centrum deniquo commune fuit, unde cum fidci et reli<nonis doctrina, turn pacis et rerum gcrendarum auspicia ac consilia° petebantur. Quid multa ? Pontificum Maximorum lavs est, quod constantissimc se pro muro et propugnaculo obiecerint, ne humana societas insupsrstit oncm et barbariem antiquam rolabcrctur.

Utinara autcm salutaris Trace auctoritas noglccta nuuquam esset vel repudiaLa ! Profccto nequc civilis Principatus augustum et sacrum illud amisissct decus, quod a rcligione inditum praeferobat quodque tinum parendi conditionem homine dignam nobilemquc efficit ; ncque exarsissent tot seditiones et bella, quae calamitatibns ct cacdibus terras firaestarunt ; neque regna olim ilorentissima, c prosperitatis culmine dciccta, omnium aerumnarum pondere premerentur Cuius rci excmplo ctiam sunt Orientales populi, gui abruptis suavissimis vinculis, quibus cum Apostolica bac Sede iungebantur, primaevae nobilitatis splendorem, seientiarum ct artium laudem, atque imperii sui dignitatem amiserunt.

Praeclara autem benencia,?quac in quamlibet terrae plagam ab Apostolica Sede prof ecta cssc illustria omnium temporummonumenta declarant, potissimum persensit Itala baec regio, quae quanto eidem propinquior loci natura extitit, tanto überiores fructus ab papercepit. Romania ccrte Pontificibus Italia acccptam refcrre de'jijfci^dam gloriam ct amplitudinem, qua reliquas inter gentes emimiit. Ipsorum auctoritas paternumque studium non semel earn ab hostium impetu texit, eidemque levamen et opem attulit, ut catholica fides nullo non tempore in Italorum cordibus integra custodirotur.

Huiusrnodi Praedeccssomm Nostorum morila, utcaetera praetereamus, maxime testatur memoria teinporum S. Leonis Magni, Alex-, andri 111, Innoccntii 111, S. Pii V, Leonis X. aliorumque Pontificum, quorum opera vel auspiciis ab extremo excidio, quod a barbans impcndebat, Italia sospes evasit, incorruptani retinuit antiquam. fidem, atque inter tenebras squaloremque rudioris aevi seientiarum lumen et splendorem artium aluit, vigentomque servavit. Testatur Nostra haec alma Urbs Pontificum Scdes, quao hunc ex iis fructum maximum cepit, ut non solum arx fidei munitissima esset, sed etiam bonarum artium asylum et domiciliuin sapientiae effecta, totius orbis erga s'e admirationem et observantiam conciliarct. Cum harum rerum amplitudo ad aetemam mcmoriain monumentis historiao sit tradita, facili negotio intelligitur non potuisse nisi per bostilem voluntatem indignamque caluniniam, ad hominum deceptionem, voce ac litteris obtrudi, bane Apostolicam Sedem civili populorum cultui et Italiae felicitati impedimento esse. Si igitur spes omncs Italiae Orbisque universi in ea vi communi utilitati et bono saluberrima, qua Sedis Apostolicae pollet auctoritas, et in arctissimonexu stint positae gui omnes Christi fideles cum Romano Pontifice deviuciat, nibij Nbbis potius esse debere cognoscimus, quant ut Romanae Cathedrae suam dignitatem sartam tectamque serrcmus, et membrorum cum Capite, filiorum cum Patre coniunctioncm magi 3 magisque firmemus.

(1) ITOV. 14, 34.

In order, therefore, in the best manner possible, to preserve intact the rights and liberty of the Apostolic See, which is a matter of paramount importance, We shall not cease to exact obedience to Our * Authority, to demand the removal of all obstacles to the full liberty of Our ministry and power, and Our restoration to that state in which long ago the counsel of the Divine Wisdom placed the Roman Pontiffs. We are moved. Venerable Brethren, to demand this restoration, not through ambition or a vain desire of Sovereign temporal power, but on account of the necessities of Our office, and the obligation of Our oath; and moreover, because this temporal Sovereignly is not 1 only necessary for the full protection and preservation of tho spiritual authority, but also indispensable to tho promotion of the public good, and the safety of society everywhere. Hence We are bound '.by the duties Our office, which calls upon Us to maintain and defend the rights of the Holy See, to confirm and renew, as We do by this letter, all the declarations and protests, as well against the seizure of the temporal power as against the violation of the rights of the Roman Church which Our Predecessor, Pius IX., of holy memory, many times published and repeated. But at the same time We address Ourselves to the Princes and Sovereign rulers of nations, conjuring them in the august name of the Most High God, not to reject the aid offered to them by the Church at this momentous crisis, but with unanimity and ardour to gather around this fountain of authority and safety, and be more and more united with it by the bonds of love and submission. May God grant, that being convinced of these truth?, and reflecting on the doctrine of Christ— as Augustine says, '• obedience affords the greatest security to the Sfcate "" — and that the security and tranquillity of themselves and their subjects are insuperably bound up with the security of the Church and submission to her authority, they may take measures to remove the evils afflicting the Church and her visible Head, and thus leading their people along the path of justice nnd peace, inaugurats for them a career of glory and prosperity.

But in order that the union of the whole Catholic flock with the Chief Pallor may become more iutimato and stronger day by day, to you, Venerable Brethren, We turn with special aff jction earnestly exhorting you, with all sacerdotal zeal and pastoral diligence to inflame the faithful entrusted to your charge with the love of religion, to prevail on them to cling still more closely and loyally to this seat of truth and justice, to receive all its doctrines with the inmost assent of the mind and will ; but to reject utterly and absolutely even the most generally accepted opinions which they know to be contrary to the teaching of the Church. To this end it was that the Roman Pontiffs, Our Predecessors, and last of all Pius IX. of Holy Memory, especially in the (Ecumenical Vatican Council, having before His eyes the words of St. Paul — " Beware lest any man cheat you hy philosophy and vain deceit, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ." (Coloss. 2. S)— never failed, as often as it was necessary" to reprove and condemn prevailing errors and visit them with Apostolic censure*. We, following in the footsteps of Our Predecessors, from this Apostolic Seat of Truth confirm and repeat all these condemnations, and We, at the same time, earnestly pray to the Father of Light, thiit sill the faithful, perfectly united in mind and heart, may think and speak as We. But it is your duty, Vencrablo Brethren, to take great care to secure the wide diffusion of the seed o£ heavenly doctrine throughout the vineyard of the Lord, to provide for the early planting of the Catholic faith in the minds of the faithful, to the end that it may take deep root there, and they bo kept tree from the infection of error. Tho efforts of the enemies of religion are especially directed against ignorant men, and above all against youth, to whom they propose the study of those things which obscure the intellect and corrupt the morals ; on this account must We labour all the more zealously, to provide lie and sound instruction, in conformity with Catholic doctrine, in learning and discipline, and take such measures as will help those to flourish, especially instruction in philosophy, on which in a great measure the right understanding of oilier sciences depends, and which, so far from seeking to overturn divine revelation, rejoices to prepare the way for it,, and to defend it from such as assail it, of which we have a striking example in the writings of the great Augustine, the Angelic Doctor, and other masters of Christian wisdom.

Again, the early education of youth, such as is best calculated to be the rampart of true faith and religion, and most conducive to purity of morals should begin in infancy and in the family itselH ; which sadly disturbed iv our times, cannot be restored to its dignity by any other means, than by these laws, under the sanction of whichitwasinstituted in the Church by its Divine Author, Who, when He raised the contract of marriage, by which He wished to symbolise His own union with the Church, to the dignity of a sacrament, not only made the marriage union more holy, bnt also prepared most powerful aids for bo°b parents and children by means oE which through the observance of their mutual duties they might secure temporal and eternal happiness. But since impious laws, disregarding the sacrednesss of this sacrament, have degraded matrimony to the rank of a merely civil contract, the deplorable consequence is, that Christians, contemning the dignity of Christian marriage live in a state of legal concubinage, spouses neglect the duties of their mutual pledge, children refuse obedience and respect to their parents, domestic affections become weakened, and frequently deadly dissensions succeed unwholesome love, to the great injury of public morals. These great and deplorable disorders, Venerable Brethren, cannot fail to excite your zeal, and move you, anxiously and pcrscveringly to exhort the faithful entrusted to your care to listen with docility to the doctrines which teach respect for the sanctity of Christian marriage, ami to obey the laws by which the Church regulates the duties of married people and their children.

_ Obedience to this teaching will be followed by another most desirable effect, viz., the amelioration and moral reformation of the individual man ; for, as from a vitiated trunk come forth branches and fruit still worse, so the corruption which contaminates families, hurts and corrupts individuals even in their civil capacity. But, on the other hand, when the family is formed iff accordance with the dea of the Christian life, its individual members become, by denrees,

Quapropter ut in primis, co quo possumus modo, 'iura libertatemque huius Sanctae Sedis adseramus, contendere nunquam desinemus, ut actoritati Nostrae suum consiet obsequium, ut obstacula amoyeantur, quae plenani minißterii Nostri potestatisque libertatem impediunt atque in earn rerum conditionem restituamur, in qua divininae Sapientiae consilium Eomanos Antistites iampridem collocaverat. Ad hanc vero restitoitionem postulandam movemur, Venerabiles Fratres, noa ambitionis studio aut dominationis cupiditate ; sed officii N"ostri ratione et religiosis iurisiurandi vinculis quibus obstringimur ; ao praeterea non solnm ex co quod principatus hie ad plenam libertatem spiritualis potestatis tuendam conservandamque est necessarius ; sed etiam quod exploratissimum est, cum de temporali- Principatu Sedis Apostolicae agitur, publici etiam boni et salutis totius humanae societatis causam agitari. Hinc praetermittero non possumus, quin pro offlcii Nostri mimere, quo Sanctae Ecclesiae iura tueri tenemur, declarariones et protestationes omnes, quas sa. me. Pius EX. Dscessor Nos'tey turn adversus 6ccupationem civilis Principatus, turn ad versus violatiouem iurium ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertincntium pluries edidit ac iteravit, easdem ct Nos hisce Nostris litteris omnitio renovemus et confirmeinus. Simul autem ad Principes et supremos populorum Moderatores voces Nostras convertimus eosque per nomen augustum Summi Dei etiam atque etiam obtestamur, ne oblatam sibi tam-necessario tempore opem Ecclesiae repudient, atque iili consentientibus stvidiis circa hunc fontem auctorilatis et salutis amice coeant, Eiquc intimi amoris et obscrvantiae vinculis magis magisquc iungantur. Faxit Deus, ut 1111, comperta eorum quae diximus vcritate, ac sccum'reputantes doctrinam Chvisti, ut Augustinus aiebat, tnaqnam, si obtemperebnr, salutem, esse reijniUicae (1) et in Ecclesiae incolumitate et obsoquio suam etiam ac publicam incolumitatem et tranquillitatem contineri, cogitationcs suas ac curas conf erant ad levanda mala, quibus Ecclesia ctusque visibile Caput affligitur, atque ita tandem contingat, ut populi quibus praesunt, iustitiae et pacis ingressi viam, fclici acvo prosperitatis et gloriae fruantur. Deinde autem ut totiug cafcholici gregis cum supremo Pastore concordiafirmiorin dies adseratur, Vos hoc loco peculiari cum affectn appellamns Venerabiles Fratres, et vehementer hortamur, ut pro sacerdotali zelo et pastorali vigilantia Vestra fideles Vobis creditos religionis amore incendatis, quo propius et arctius huic Cathedrae vorita'tis ct iustitias adhaereiint, omnes eiii3 doctrinas intimo mentis et voluntatis as3ensu suscipiant ; opiniones vero etiam vulgalissimas, quas Ecclesiae documentis oppositas noverint omnino reiiciant. Qua in re Eomani Pontifices Decessores Nostri, ac demum sa, me. Pius IX, praescrtim in occumenico Vatieano Concilio prae oculia habentes verba Pauli : '' Jldeto lie guis ros decij/utt per irtittosopViam ct inanem faUaclim seeunAum tra~ ditionem hominum, sccundum elementa viundi ct non seetindum Christum " (2), haud practenniserunt, quoties opus fuit, grassantes errores reprobave et apostolica censura confodere. Has condcrnnationes omnes, Decpssorum Nostrorum vestigia sectantes, Nos ex hac Apostolica veritatis Sede confirmamus ac iteramus, simulque Patrem lunrinum cnixo rogamus, ut fideles omnes perfecti in eodem sensn eademque sententia idem Nobiscum sapiant, idemque loquantur. Vestri autem muneris est, Venerabiles Fratres, sedulam impeaderc curam, ut coelestium doctrinarum semen late per Dominicnm agrum difEundatur et catholicae fidei documenta fidelium animis mature iuserantur, altas in cis radices agant ct ab errorum contagione incorrupta serventur. Quo validius contendunt rcligionis hostes imperitis hominibus, ac invenibus praesertim, ea discenda proponere quae mentes obnubilent moresque corrumpant, co alacrius adnitendum est, ut non solum apta ac solida institutionis methodus, sed maxim? institutio ipsa catholicae fidei omnino conformis in litteris et disciplinis vigeat, praesertim autcm in philosophia, ex qua recta aliarum scientiarum ratio magna parte dependet ; quaeque non ad evertendam divinam revelationcm spectat, sed ad ipsam potius sternere viam gaudet, ipsamquo ab impugnatoribus defendere, quemadmodum nos exemplo scriptisque suis Magnus Augnstinus, et Angelicus Doctor, caeterique Christianas sapicntiae Magistri docuerunt.

Optima porro iuventutis disciplina ad verae fidei et rcligionis munimeii atque ad morura integritatem a tsneris annis exordium liabeat necesse est in ipsa domestica societate ; quaenostris hisce temporibus paisere perturbata, in suam dignitatem restitui nullo modo potest nisi iis legibus, quibus in Ecclesia ab ipsomet divino Auctore est instituta. Qui cum matrimonii foedus, in quo suam cum Ecclesia coniunctionem significatam voluit, ad Sacramenti dignitatem evexerit, non modo maritalem unionem sanctiorem efEecit, sed etiam efficacissima turn parentibus tunfproli paravit auxilia ; quibus, per mutuorum ofSciorum observantiam, temporalem ac aeternam felicitatein facilius asscquerentur. At Tero postquam impiae leges, Sacramenti huius magni religionem nil pensi habentes, illud eodem ordinc cum contractibus mere civilibus habuerunt, id misere consecutum est, ut violate, christiani couiugii dignitate, cives legali concubinatu pro nuptiis uterentnr. coniuges fidei mutae officia negligerent obedientiam et ob3equium nati parentibus detrectarent, domesticae charitatis vincula laxarentur, et, quod dcterrimi exempli est publicisque moribus infensissimum, persacpe malesano amori perniciosae ac funestae discessiones succedercnt. Haec sane misera et luctuosa non possunt, Venerabiles Fratres, vestrum zclum non excitare ac movere ad fiieles vigilantiae vestrae concredifcos sedulo instanterque monendos, ut dociles aures doctrinis adhibeant quae christiani coniugii sanctitatem respiciunt, ac pareant legibus quibus Ecclesia coniugum natorumque officia moderatur.

Turn vero illud optatissimum consequetur, quod singulormn etiam hominum mores et vitae ratio reformentur : nam veluti ex corrupto stipite detcriores rami et fructua infelices germinant, sic mala labes,quae familias depr"avat,"til sirignldrum'jcinum ripxam ,et vitipm tristi contagione redundat. Contra vero, d s om&'tlca^bci?t;a'te } ad cKristianae vitae formam composita, singula membra sensim as«uescent re-

(1) Ep. 138, alias 5. ad Marceliiaum v. 16. &) A(X uoiobj. a, ».

accustomed to love religion and piety, to abhor false and dangeroue doctrines, to practice virtue, to respect old age, and to repress that spirit of egotism which degrades and enervates human nature To attain this desirable end, it will contribute not a little to regulate and encourage those pious associations, which to the great advantage of Catholicism have been established, especially in our days. These objects of our hopes and views, Venerable Brethren, are grand, and above human strength ; but since God made the nations of the earth capable of being healed, since He founded a Church for the salvation of all nations, and promised to guide and help it for ever, we firmly trust that, with the aid of your laborious co-operation, the nations warned by so many evils and calamities will at length seek safety and happiness in submission to the Church, in the infallible teaching of this Apostolic See.

Meanwhile, Venerable Brethren, before finishing this letter, We must declare to you Our joy at the sight of that wonderful agreement and concord which unites you with one another and with this Apostolic See. We are convinced that in this union will be found not only an impregnable rampart against the attacks of enemies, bnt also an auspicious and happy omen which promises better times for the Church ; and whilst it affords the greatest comfort to Our infirmity it also encourages Us to persevere courageously to discharge the duties of Our office, and face every danger and contest in endeavouring to promote the good of the Church. s Nor can We, Venerable Brethren, separate from these causes of hope and rejoicing, those tokens of love and obedience, £' m th ° se fi™* da ys of Our Pontificate, you Venerable Brethren and with you a vast multitude of ecclesiastics and nnd of the faithful have exhibited to Our humble person, who in letters, offerings, pilgrimages, and other acts of piety have proved that, that devotion and charity, which were so universally manifested towards Our most meritorious Predecessor, remain equally solid strong, and entire towards the person of so unworthy a successor lor these most splendid testimonies of Catholic piety, We give thanks to the Lord, because He is good and kind ; and to you, Venerable Brethren, and all the beloved children from whom we have received these things, from i Our heart We return Our most grateful thanks, cherishing the fullest confidence that in the straits and difficulties of the times, your zeal and affection and those of the faithful will never fail Us. Nor do We doubt that these remarkable examples of Mial piety and Christian virtue will be most pleasing to the merciful God who moved by these acts of duty, will look more favourably on His flock and give peace and victory to the Church. But as We are confident that this peace and victory will be more speedily given in answer to fervent and persevering prayer, We earnestly exhort you Venerable Brethren, to invite the faithful to besiege heaven and SfASif 1 ! Immaculate Queen of Heaven, their mediatrix with God, St. Joseph the Heavenly Patron of the Church, and the Holy Princes of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul, to whose powerful 3 ? ??• com I mend J ( >nr humility, all the orders of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and the whole flock of the Lord

Finally, we earnestly desire that these days in which we make a solemn commemoration of the Kesurrection of Jesus Christ may be prosperous, salutary, and full of joy to you, Venerable Brethren, and the whole flock of the Lord. And we beseech the most merciful God to blot out the sins We have committed, in the blood of the Immaculate Lamb, through which was effaced the hand-writing which was against us, and that the judgment recorded against us on account of them may be reversed.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all, Venerable Brethren, to whom individually and collectively, and also to Our beloved children the clergy and faithful of your churches, as a pledge of Our special benevolence, and in token of the protection of Heaven We most lovingly impart the Apostolic Benediction. Given in Rome fJvoIoS Pon n tifi c e ate! eStiVal ° f AprU 21 ' 18?8 ' In ** * rsl

Leo P.P. XIII,

hgionem pietatemque dihgere, a falsis, perniciosisque doctrinis abnrW G> T II 11I 1 maioribus obsequi, atque inexhaustum illud pnvatae dumtaxat utihtatis studium coerccr.e, quod humanam naturam tantopere depnmit ac enervat. In quern finem non parum profecto conferet pias illas consociationes moderari et provehere, quae magno rei catholicae bono nostra maxime hac aetate constitutae G^ ndia quidem et humanis maiora viribus haec sunt,quae spe et iSlfvf f S c .r P l^ ctimur ' Ven e r abilies Fratres; sed cum Deus sanabiles fecent nationes orbis terrarum, cum Ecclesiam ad salutem gentium condident, eique suo se auxilio adfuturum usque ad consul mationem saecuh promiserit, firmiter confidimus,adlaborantibus Vobis, humanum genus tot malis et calamitalibus admoiStum, Jandem o °t • Slae 11 ° bsequ i O) in huius A P°stoKcffi Cathedi-ae infallibili magisteno salutem et prosperitatem quaesiturum Interea, Venerabiles Fratres, antequam finem scribendi faciamus necesse est ut Vobis declaremus gratulationem NosSm pro SSmS a™?v n % e A c . oncordia » q uae animos Vestros inter Vos et cum hac Sede m TUrnT Urn coni ™g*: Q^» q^em perfectam coni^f^T ?• mo^o mexpugnabile propugnaculum esse contra !mpetus hostmm arbiti-amur ; sed etiam faustum ac felix omen quod SSSS, ,T P^% E ??^ spondet; ac dum eadem maximum solatium affert infirmitati Nostrae, etiam animum opportune erieit ut an arduo, quod suscepimus, munere omnes labores, omnia certlmina pro Ecclesia Dei alacriter sustineamus.

Ab hisce porro spei et gratulationis causis, qtias Vobis patefecimus, seiungere non possumus eas significationes amoris et obsequii quas in his Nostri Pontificatus exordiis Vos, Venerabiles Fratres et una cum Vobis exhibuere humilitati Nostrae ecclesiasticvlUffidelS quamplunmi, gui litteris missis, largitionibus collatis, peregrination^ bus etiam peractis, nee non aliis pietatis officiis, ostenderunt deT*S£,T« ca ™ tatem Vj**t q«a meritissimum Praedecessorem Nostrum prosecuti fuere, adeo firmam stabilem integramque manere ut in persona tarn imparis non tepescat heredis. Pxo hisi splS dissimis cathohcae pietatis testimoniis humiliter confitemur Domino On^ ? r- tbenig ?l US 6St ' acVobis ' Venerabiles Fratre? cuncSe Dilectis Fihis a quibus ea accepimus, gratissimos animi Nostri seSus l1"^l 1 "^ cordepubliceprofitemxir, plenam foventes fiduciam nunCw vT N ° blS> S1?S 1 ?. 8 rerum an g ust »s ettemporum difficultatabus, hoc Vestrum ac fidelium studium et dilectionem. Nee vero t^J™? 1 ™ egK - gi f b^ C filialis P ietatis efc christianae virS exempla plurimum smt vahtura, ut Deus clementissimus, officiis hisce SK ' fGg?l?f Gg?l ? SUU^ P^'°P idus respiciat et Ecclesiae pacem ac victonam largiatur. Quoniam autem hanc paccm et victoriam, ocius et facihus Nobis datum iri confidimus si vota precesque constanter ad earn impetrandam fideles effuderint, Vos miff! nopere hortamur, Venerabiles Fratres, ut in hanc rem fidelium studia et fervoremexci etis, conciliatrice apud Deum adhibiUi ImmaTnlfl Sa!lorum^S a ! lorum^ eg . ina ' ac deprecatoribus interpositis Sancto losepho Patrono Ecclesiae caelesti, sanctisque Apostolorum Principibus Petro et Paulo, quorum omnium potenti patrocinio humilitatein JNostram, cunctos ecclesiasticae hierarchiae ordines, ac dominicum gregemumversum supplices commendamus.

Caetcrum hos dies, quibus solemnetn memoriam lesu Christi resurgentis recohmus, Vobis, Venerabiles Fratres, etuniverso dominico gregi faustos salutares ac sancto gaudio plenos esse exoptamus adnrecantes benignissimum Deum ut Sanguine immaculati Agni, quo deletum est cmrographum quod adversus nos erat, culpae quas contraximus deleantur, et iudicium quod pro illis ferimus element

Gratia Domini JVostri lesu CJvristi et cJiaritas Dei et communicatio sanctt Sjjirttus sit cum o?nnil>us voMs, Venerabiles Fratres • quibus smguhs universis, nee non et Dilectis Filiis Clero et fidelibus fccclesiarum Vestrarum in pignus praecipuae benevolentiae et in auspicium caelestis praesidii Apostolicam benedictionem amantissime AXXipcX Til Tri \\ g s

Datum Romae apud S. Petrum, die sollemni Paschae, xxi Apnhs, Anno mdccclxxviii. Pontificates Nostri Anno primo.

Leo PP. XIII.

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