Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-05
LETTER FROM THE POPE TO HIS NORTH ANE
RICAN HIERARCHY.

To otr Venerable Brethren .ohn, archbishop Of NeV
York. John, Bishop Of albany .IohH, Bishop Of
Boston: JOhn, Bishop Of BWdioi John, Bishop Of
Brooklyn: James, Bishop Of Ae'0drk; Lo"sS Btshop
Of Darlington Francis, Bishop Of Hartford and
Daeid, BishoP Of Portland:
VENERABLE BRETHREN HEALTH lAND APOSTOLIC BENZ
DICTON-We can scarcely express in words the rejoicing
and gadness which your letter of the 10Th January al
forded us in the midst of our greatest sadness and tn
buaon You fastened venerable brethren to write to
us Immediately your meeting for the celebration OF
your Provincial Council in order that assembling togeth
er under the invocation OF the Holy Spirit and in mutu
al consultation you might provide still more for the vel
fare of the oceSes committed respectfully to your eps
copa zeal and guidance. For in your letters shine forth
on every side bright evidences of your great attachment
and special devotion us and Of your reverence love
and obedience this chair of St Peter, and in ike man
ner your bitter on account OF our trlouatons,
universally known brought on by the couuses and sin-
trctes of men who hostile 10 this Apostolic See and
opposed the civil principally which belongs to IT, by
sasr egOu daring have attempted TO destroy the patr
morv Of ST. Peter and to extngush entirely Its nights
as well divine as human. These they hope and labor to
destroy utterly Most grateful to US has been TINS ev
dence Of your great sympathy so truly worthy oil "a
thoc prelates and SO worthy be distinguished by
praise and publication
We, indeed although afflicted with unspeakable grief
witnessing the evil warfare which, with immense detr-
ment to the salvation Of souls is being carried on by I'M
pious men against divine religion, still place all our
hope and confidence in God our Saviour knowing well
that he has ever been present with prompt aid in support
OF his church that the church has never been
more glorious than when have endeayored TO eNn-
gush it that it has never been more secure than when
the most violent squalls of persecution, excited by its
enemies, have seemed 10 agitate it the most.
IL has been truly consong to rs to see by your letter
with wha ardent attachment YOU and your clergy, as
well the faithful aity, have not ceased to offer up fer
prayer the Father OF Mcrces according TO our
| desire and for our intention.
We have full confidence that you venerable brethren,
relying upon the Divine support will proceed with even
greater aacrty and energy in cOntending against this
great niquity Of the times that you will fulfil all the
dute, of your ministry that Won will sustain and defend
energ 9caly the Of the Catholic church, and take
measures both for the protection Of the ocks committed
TO your and to expose the aace reute the errors
and rope the assaults Of wicked men.
Whilst however we congratulate YOU from our heart
for the PASTORAL soIci,ude which prompted the ceebra
ton OF your late Provincial Council the acts of which
according canonical right, you rejoced to submit to
our supreme judgment and that OF this Holy See know
that without any delay have directed that they should
be inspected 10y sacred congregation for the propaga
ton OF the Christian faith order that may examine the
acts of your council and report them to US, that in
gard them it shall communicate to you the proper re-
| spOuse
Finally, be most assured that we in the humility of
orr heart continue to pray and impoe the God OF mer
cv that he may pour upon you the richest gifts OF
HIS goodness and also that these same shall descend
upon the dear members of the 0cks committed to your
care And as evidence of this, less than certain
pledge OF great affection for you, venerable breth
rem mpar you and TO all the clergy and laity Of
the several dioceses respectively committed to your
care, most otieconate apostolic bcnedction.
Given at Rome, ST. Peters, 18th day OF March, 1861 IN
! the fourteenth year Of our Pontihcate.
Pits p p TX