The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-27 00:00:00

TIIE POPE'S ALLOCUTION.

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The Giornale di Roma publishes the Latin text
of the Allocution which the Pope addressed to the
Secret Consistory held on the 20th inst. The fol-
lowing is a translation of the document :
Venerable Brethren, - Rich in mercy, God, who
consoles us in all our tribulations, in order that,
hoping always in Him, and not being intimidated
by obstacles, we may walk with a step which is
always firmer in the way of righteousness, and that,
supporting without fear the cause of His Holy
Church, we may devote all our strength to the com-
plete discharge of our apostolic ministry. Every
one sees most clearly how many testimonies of his
divine goodness the most merciful Lord deigns to
lavish upon us in the midst of the most serious
calamities with which the church in these times of
great iniquity is afflicted, and in the midst of the
grave perils with which this apostolic see is tried
and surrounded in all directions. While Sstan, his
satellites, and his children, do not cease to let loose
their fury in the most horrible manner against our
Divine religion, against us, and against the chair of
St. Peter, oppressing and tormenting the popula-
tions of most unhappy Italy, so long devoted to us,
the God of mercy and goodness unveils himself in
an open and wonderful way to His Church; He
hastens to its aid, and grants to it the support of
His all-powerful might.
And hence it is, venerable brethren, that all the
prelates of the catholic world, closely united to us
by the bonds of faith and of charity, unanimous in
supporting the Holy See, and moved by one sole
thought, one common sentiment, constantly defend,
some by the living voice, others by the pen, the
cause of catholicity, ourselves, and the Holy See.
Even the laity in the great public assemblies of
Europe raise their voice for the protection of the
Catholic Church and of this Holy See, on behalf of
our temporal power and of the sovereignty of that
see. Above all, the cause of our temporal power
has, in the Senate of Paris and in the Corps Legis-
latif, just been splendidly and magnificently de-
fended, almost with unanimous votes and with the
applause and to the joy of all good men.
The Catholic populations, deeply execrating the
abominable perfidy of our enemies, have hastened
and rejoiced to testify their filial affection for us by
public and brilliant demonstrations, to proclaim
their piety and their veneration for the Holy See,
and to assuage its sorrows by frequent contribu-
tions ; and the faithful of both sexes, even the poor,
have brought us the aid of their money. And one
can point, among ecclesiastics as among laymen, to
the most illustrious writers who in their works, and
the most eloquent orators who in their speeches in
the midst of great political assemblies, glory in de-
fending and supporting the venerable and indisput-
able principles of righteousness, of truth, and of the
Holy See ; and they have defended them with ar-
dour and talent, victoriously refuting all the false-
hoods of the adversaries.
And how many men of the noblest birth, in al-
most all countries, full of fervour for the cause of
religion, leaving their relations, their wives, and
their children, have hastened to the defence of our
city, and, disregarding all fatigues and all perils,
have not hesitated to enrol themselves in our army
and to expose their lives for the Church, for our-
selves, and for the sovereignty of our Holy See.
Catholic parents themselves, inflamed with the
spirit of their religion, have sent their sons, even an
only one, for the defence of the Holy See ; and,
imitating the illustrious example of the mother of
the Maccabees, they have gloried and rejoiced at
seeing them shed their blood for such a cause.
Moreover, the people subject to our civil authority,
although exposed to the most criminal snares from
the most perverse men, to menaces and evils of every
kind, have nevertheless remained firm and stable in
their duty towards us and the Holy See. Among
them the people of Rome, who are especially dear to
us and merit all our praise, have greatly distin-
guished themselves ; for nearly all the citizens of
every order, of every grade, and of every condition
in our holy city, have vied in proving to us their
affection and their submission towards us, and their
obedience to the civil authority of ourselves and our
Holy See, and have burnt with a desire to assist us.
You know also, venerable brethren, how our sol-
diers, worthy beyond contradiction of all praise,
have distinguished themselves by their fidelity ;
with what admirable bravery they have fought
against the bands of those criminal men, and with
what glory they have fallen on the field of battle in
the cause of the Church.
Moreover, you are not ignorant, venerable breth-
ren, how great has been the fidelity of our soldiers,
how worthy of all praise and with what admirable
valour they have fought against a band of most
wicked men, and with what glory they have died in
combating for the church. And you well know that
the most serene and most powerful Emperor of the
French nation, con-Adering our most serious perils,
sent his valiant troops, who, with their most excel-
lent leaders, were glad to aid, with all joy and zeal,
our army, especially in the combat of Mentana and
Monte Rotondo, to fight bravely by their side and
to face death to the glory of their high fame. Nor
are you ignorant that, especially in the field of sacred
missions, the Divine light of the gospel, every day
more splendid, receives, with the help of God and
our most holy religion, greater increase every day,
and that those who stand in the darkness and in
the shadow of death take refuge in the bosom of
holy Mother Church, when the darkness of their
minds is dispersed ; and that everywhere various
pious institutions, most useful to all classes and for
the needs of Christian and civil society, are every
day on the increase. All these things, briefly re-
ferred to by us, together with the manifold snares
of wicked men, discovered and defeated in a won-
derful manner, evidently show now the omnipotent
and merciful Lord, in whose hands are the hearts
of men, most miraculously defends and protects
His Church, confirms most clearly the promise that
the gates of hell shall not prevail against her, and
that He is with us for ever until the consummation
of all time. Wherefore, venerable brethren, let
us always give our deepest and never-ending
thanks to the most clement Father of mercies for
so many favours received ; and, placing in Him
alone all our hope and confidence, let us not cease
to beseech Him with most fervent prayers that,
through the merits of His only begotten Son our
Lord Jesus Christ, He may continue to save His
Church from all calamities, and free us from His
and our enemies, and to confound and make vain
their impious counsels and desires. And let us be-
seech Him likewise that lie may deign to bring back
to a saving penitence, and to a true sense of justice,
those enemies, and likewise those who, fighting
against us, were made our prisoners, and who,
treated most charitably by us, persist in their ob-
stinacy. And in order that God may the more
readily hear our prayers, let us make use of, first of
all, the intercession of the immaculate Virgin Mary,
who is our most loving mother and the most power-
ful help of Christians, who obtains what she seeks,
and cannot be frustrated ; next of the most holy St.
Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and of the co-Apostle
Paul, and all the saints who reign with Christ in
Heaven. Before concluding, however, we cannot
refrain from rendering deserved and most ample
praise and to express the most grateful sentiments
of our mind to all and each of those who by voice
or writing, or by aid in any respect, have endea-
voured even to the peril of their lives to defend, to
the great glory of their names, our cause, the cause
of the Holy See, and of the Church. And let us not
fail in all our prayers and orisons to humbly and
fervently beseech God, froui whom proceeds every
good and perfect gift, that He may deign to heap
upon those sons of the Church, who are most dear
to us, and its most valorous defenders the richest
gifts of the Divine grace and all Heavenly blessings.

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