THE VATICAN AND GERMANY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 371, 28 May 1880, Page 17

THE VATICAN AND GERMANY.

Pope Leo XIII. has written the following letter to the Archbishop of Cologne : — LEO PP. XIII. Venerable Brother, health and the Apostolic Benediction :— We have read with singular satisfaction your commentary on Our letter, in which We bewailed the fatal consequences of Socialism. We are '^ognisant, Venerable Brother, that you displayed very opportune zeal m explaining Our salutary warnings and the paternal exhortations which We delivered last year when stating the doctrines of the Catholic Church relative to this matter. The frightful and dangerous pest of Socialism, which spreads insensibly day by day, and corrupts the good disposition of nations, becomes powerful because the light of eternal truth is, as it were, obscured in the heart of many persons by the darkness of error, and because the invariable rules of good morals inculcated by Christian instruction are rejected. Certainly this pest will never be subdued and arrested so long as the minds of corrupt men are not brought back to the principles of justice and goodness which, by the help of Divine Grace, are alone capable of changing the inclinations vitiated by covetousness into more k healthy resolutions, and of influencing both individuals and nations to do their duty and to walk in the path of virtue. Christ, having given this glorious command to His Church, granted her the activity and strength necessary for the execution of such a task. This assertion is proved by every nation of the world which the Church of Christ has delivered from error and placed in the light of Evangelical truth. To accomplish and to execute, without ceasing, this saving command is, above all, Our office, Venerable Brother. Although no one denies that in our times the arts tending to the embellishment of life and the exact sciences are prospering in a wonderful and astonishing manner, yet the corruption of morals is spreading from day to day in a manner much to be regretted. Taught by the history of former ages, We know very well that it is not progress in the arts and sciences, but the degree of zeal applied to the study and practice of the law of Christ, which has brought salvation to nations wandering from the way of righteousness and kept them from destruction. This is why We earnestly long for the Church of Christ everywhere to enjoy its freedom, so that it may proclaim the salutary doctrine of this law to the people, incline their hearts to love it and foster its influence through the priesthood, to the bringing forth of the richest fruits in the souls of men. And this We desire in a greater degree, Venerable Brother, for the happiness and prosperity of your renowned Fatherland, which was once especially favoured by the labours in Christ ©f St. Boniface, and fertilised by the blood of many martyrs and the splendid virtues of saintly men now rejoicing in the glories of the kingdom of heaven. The second year is now elapsing since We desired that you should unite your prayers and those of your believing flock with Ours, that God, who is rich in mercy, might hear Our supplications and happily restore that freedom, to the fulfilment of our wishes. This was not granted, but still we firmly hope that, with the Divine aid, Our efforts in this respect will meet with the desired success. Gradually, and little by little, hollow suspicion and its invariable accompaniment, unrighteous envy towards the Church, will cease, and the chiefs of the State, looking at things in a favourable and appreciative light, will easily come to see that we do not interfere with the rights of others, and that between the ecclesiastical and political Powers a lasting understanding may exist, provided onty there does not fail on both sides the will and the inclination to maintain peace, or, if need be, restore it. That We are animated with this spirit and this will must be the firm and unflinching conviction of you, Venerable Brother, and all believers in Germany. Yes, We will this so decidedly, that in view of the advantages likely to result therefrom for public order, We make no scruple in declaring to you that We, in older to hasten this understanding, will permit the names of those priests choson by the bishop as fellow workers in their dioceses in the cure of souls to be first submitted for approval to the Prussian Government.

Let us be instant in prayer, Venerable Brother, that Our Lord Jesus Christ may direct all hearts, and that every thing may tend to this good end. Let each one, according to his office, make every effort to re-establish the Kingdom of Christ, not only in the heart of each but in all human society. As a pledge of Our favour, and as a foretaste of all graces, We grant you the Apostolic Benediction for yourself and for all the faithful of your diocese. Given at Home, this 26th day of February, in the third year of Our Pontificate. *

Leo PP. XIII.