The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-23
TIE GCUMENIC.iL COUNCIL.
The Pope's Apostolic Letter to Protes-
tants and Non-Cathoilcs Throughout
the World.

The text Of the Pope's address to Protcs-
tants and other non-Catholics, on the subject
of the Gcumenical Council, has been issued
through NJ. Reuters Office. The document is
very unintelligibly translated. 1t concludes
thus:
Whoever, in fact, recognizes religion as the
foundation OF human society, cannot rcfuse to
admit and avow the influence exercised over
civilized society by these divisions and dIsa.
greements of principles OF thlt nature, and OF
religious societies struggling one with the
othor: and also with what power the denial
Of authority established by God to regulate
the convictions of the human intelligence,
and to direct the ac.ions of mon, both in their
social and private lie, has excited, has
developed, and has fjmented the most
unfortunate troubles, those events and those
Disturbances which agitate and effect al
most all nations in q most deplorab Q man.
ncr; therefore, in order that all those who are
not instilled with the principles OF the unity
and truth OF the Catholic Church should seize
tho occasion offered to them by the Council, IN
which the Catholic Church, u which thor an
cesto, belonged, shows proof Of its complete
unity, of It's vigor, and Of its uncxtlnguishable
vitality, thai they should obey the necessities
OF their hearts, that they should strive to bear
themselves away from that state in which they
cannct be assured of their salvation; that they
should address, without ccasinc, the most fer
yid PRAYERS to God that he should dissipate the
cloud OF error, and tnat he should bring them
back into the bosom OF the church, our Holy
Mother, whero their ancestors received the
salutary nourshment Of life, and WHO alone
preserves in its integrity tho doctrine OF Jesus
| Christ, handing it down and dispensing the
mysteries OF cciustiul grace. We, therefore, who
ought most zcllously 10 fulfil all the duties OF
n good pastor III accordance with the charge of
apostolic ministers intrusted to us By Christ
our Lord Himself, and who ought to
embrace all men in the world IN our
patcrpai charity, wo address this letter to all
| Christians separated from us-a letter i'll which
wo cxhort and suppllcate them to hasten to rc-
| turn to tho fold of Christ. It is because We
heartily desire their salvation IN jesus Christ
and fear ono day to hay" 10 reader all account
| of their souls to the Same Jesus CHRIST, our
Judge, if we do not point out to them aud opcl
| to Them rs much as IS III us the Way which
thew must follow. if they woull gain their sal
yatlon; also, in all our prayers and supplica-
tions, and, while performing acts OF grace, VIC
never cease humbly to ask for them, both by
| night and day, the celestial light and abuii-
| dance of grace from the Etornal Pastor OF our
souls; and whereas, despite our unworthness,
we fulfill upon earth the functions OF the Vicar
| of Christ, we await with open arms the return
| of those wandering sohs TO the Clthollc
Church. in order that we may be able to re-
ceive them with all affection into the dwelling
of the Celestial Father, and make them parti-
cipators IN His everlasting treasures. IL IS
| that much-wlshed for return to the truth and
communion of the Catholic Church upon Which
depends not only the salvation OF each one IN
particular. but OF the whole Christian society,
and the world will never enjoy true peace until
| it forms one flock under one pastor.