THE HOLY FATHER TO THE GERMAN BISHOPS

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1916, Page 25

THE HOLY FATHER TO THE GERMAN BISHOPS

by "every possible means, the awful load of misery,, the ; unhappy consequence of the war. :, And it is •in this field of charity that We see you distinguishing yourselves with works of enlightened whether it be in federating all the Catholic societies in Germany devoted, to charity, in order to bring more ready and efficacious succor to the innumerable "miseries of the unfortunate, whether with' the beneficent' institutions of Paderborn, which have the scope- of improving * the conditions of all the prisoners in the Empire. Wherefore, 'while;. We praise this effort of Christian charity,, We ■in that are praising both the unfailing kindness of the Bishop and clergy of Paderborn, and the liberality of all the Catholics of Germany. But in truth to-day the highest duty of charity (which you are doing, andv We exhort you to persevere), is this: That I each man should strive to make brothers again the peoples whom the war

Meeting in the usual Annual Congress at Fulda, Tinder the presidency of his Eminence Cardinal von Hartmann, the German Bishops sent a message of homage to the Holy Father, to which his Holiness has thus replied :—• 'Reading your letter, which reached Us on the very day of the second anniversary of Our election to the Supreme Pontificate, We have felt a true sense of comfort because We see, first of all, you have understood and well interpreted Our views in a matter of such high importance. For indeed, while Our heart still bleeds at the sight of this long.and cruel slaughter of Our children. Our grief is the more increased at seeing how Our incessant appeals for peace have given rise to unworthy suspicions among some people, and have provoked expressions of discontent among others, almost as if Our exhortations were not prompted by a wish for the public good, but by some design for Our own interests, or as if We wished that the war might finish in a peace not founded on the principles of equity and justice. Truly, if passion had not clouded understanding, this thing could not be obscure —this thing ■which in itself is supremely evident—that the Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of the King of Peace and Father of all Christians, cannot, through his high duty of conscience, counsel, suggest, teach aught else but peace ; and that in doing so He does not favor the cause of any men, but of humanity, and that specially in a war so murderous that, if anyone could shorten it even for a single day, he would deserve the gratitude of the human race. ' Waiting meanwhile for the peace which We invoke, We shall continue to alleviate, at least in part,

has divided, hot making hatred more acute, but softehirig it little by little in mutual works of pity. ■’ W & So, almost naturally, the way will be prepared for the peace which is in the aspirations of every honest man; a peace which will be the imore lasting in that it will have roots deep down in men’s hearts. Cease not then to implore, as you are-doing, the Divine aid with new expiatory prayers and by. calling the children frequently to the Eucharistic Table, for none can estimate the value before the Lord of - humble and suppliant prayers, especially when they are strengthened by penitence and innocence. , * ‘ Meanwhile, as pledge of celestial favors and testimony of Our benevolence, to you, Our beloved son and venerable brothers, and to the clergy and people entrusted to your care, We impart in the Lord the apostolic Benediction.

‘ Rome, the 7th September, 1916, the third year of Our Pontificate.’