The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-14
Roman Catholic Pastoral Letter.

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The Catholic Mirror of this week contains
a pastoral letter, signed by Archbishop Ken
rick, and the Bishops of Wheeling, Richmond,
Erie, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Charleston, Flo
rida. and Savannah, expressing their devoted
attachments to the See Of the Apostle Peter,
aud to the illustrious Pontif who now occu-
pies it," recognizing IL" "as the centre OF unity,
the rock upon which Christ our Lord built
| His Church, and against which the gates OF
He'll cannot prevail The States of the
| Church are not regarded as of "the same sa-
| cred and inviolahie character, but rather an
| accidental arpendage of the Holy See,'' its
origin being traced to the ''munincence of the
| faithful the devo otedness OF Christian Princes
and the gratitude OF u people whom the Bishop
| of Rome protected, rescued. and made free
| more than thousand years ago. The domn-
| IONS Ct The Pope are not regarded as essen
tial, but as desirable, the same as it was deem
ed desirable TO have the national capitol of
| America separate from the States, "that it's
action might be free, without dependence on
any State influence, or prejudice to State
rights The details OF eccles 8stcal admin
istration "demand large number OF officers,
couusellors and clerks, with no small expen-
dture which may be impracticable if the
Bishop of Rome has not an ample revenue
from the Territory in which he resides
The letter regards IL as sacrlcge TO separate
this civil principally, which, during SO many
centuries has been attached 10 the Holy See
The "highest ecclesias tical censures'' are ip-
Cured 10y "those who usurp any portion of
that Territory and the recent "withdrawal
of nourishing province is described as hav-
| ing been brought about by various artifices
OF foreign emiSsaries, and by manifest fraud
and violence" "PTnperty holders, and the
intellige and virtuous citizens and peas
artry were ayerse TO revolt" the Bishops say,
aud then proceed to give their own views OF
| the Government of the Pope, as follows
| Brethren, we are, rs you know, sincerely
| attached to the free institutions under which
we live, and ready TO sacrifice life itself in
| their support but we are from principle op-
| posed TO ali disturbance OF established order
| on vain and false pretexts. We have had op-
| pOrtuuities OF knowing the government OF the
| Roman States, and teeI that it compares ad-
| vautageously with that of other countries.
| The forms OF government are not, indeed, those
| which are popular in our age, but Christian
| principle moderates and directs them, the di-
! vine law belng always had in view with the
| ecCles las ical law, which is adapted TO The re-
| ligous profession OF the citizens. Municipal
| privileges were ample at all times in the ko-
| man States and were increased by the lIber-
atty OF the present POntlil. Individual liberty
| is respected properly is safe justice Is sure
| taxes are light: military conseription is un-
| known.
lin ALI these respects the Roman Govern
ment has the advantage Of many others pro-
| iessedy liberal. IL the concessions, spOn ta-
| neousIy made by the Holy Father at the COM
| mencement of his reign, had not been abused
| TO effect a revolution, there can be doubt
| that the condition OF his subjects would have
been SUI further improved. The revOiied
| province is now burdened with enormous
| taxes, The citizens are forced INTO military
| service, and the Clergy, dissatisfied with the
| new order of things, are visited with severe
penalties, lmprlsD Eed or driven into banlSh-
| ment. We mention these things, not that we
| deem it necessary 10 extol, by way OF coL trast,
| tie late government, since, rs Catholics, We
| have no concern with il, but TO correct false
| impressions in justice 10 a clement and liberal
| Pontif."
The letter concludes by appointing the first
| Sunday in September as the day for taking up
| collections and contributions for the " treasu-
| ry of the Church" made necessary "in con-
sequence OF the loss Of the revolted province, -
| the revenues of which "enabled the Pontlff to
meet the expenses of his ecclesiastical admin
| istration." This portion Of the letter contains
| IL strong appeal 10 the members of the Church
from which we make the following extract:
Continue, then brethren, steadfast in your
| attachment 10 the Il postoiic See, Is obedlent
| children of the Church; and after the exam
pie Ct the first Christians, vi no prayed tor Pc
| Ter, when he was imprisoned by HerOd, pray
| for our Holy Father that he may be rescued
| from the power of his enemies. Their object
| is doubtless to strip him OF all Of his domiu-
| ions, and make him 3 mere dependent the
| civil government, or a victim and martyr; but
! the devices OF the impl0us are vain, whilst the
| divine Counseis cannot be defeated In His
| own good time God Will come TO the aid OF
HIS servant The tiara may be torn from his
| head, and he may be cast into dungeon, bul
ne VIII come forth tull of majesty, as his pre-
| decessor, the seventh Plus, came forth in tri
umph, and was welcomed by his devoted peo
| pie"