The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02

! tie pt"ttNe VI our INDUSTRIOUS predeceS-
sOrs, we have deemed it opport,lDe to as
semble a general council, Which we have
already long desired, of all our venerable
brethren, the bishops of the whole Catholic
world, who are now chilled TO take part in
our solicitude. These our venerable bretll-
rem. prompted by the warmest love for the
Catholic Church, aud remarkable for en-
inent piety and for reverence toward lis
and this Apostolic See. anxious also for
the salvation OF souls, and excellent in
wisdom, IN doctrine and erudition. aud
greatly lamenting.Mith lis the grievous
condition of. sacred and protane things,
they will hold nothing more precious than
to communicate to us their Judgment, and
confer with us in order to provide salu-
tary remedies fol- so many calamities.
" All these things have to be most care
fully examined and regulated in this ecu
menical Council, more particularly with
regard to all that in these evil times con-
rity of the faith, the respect for Divine
worship, and the eternal salvation of men,
the discipline of the orders of the clergy
and their solid and salutary training, the
observance of ecclesiastical laws, the anne
Iteration of manners. the education Of
Christian youth, and the peace and concord
Of all. And further, the council must seek
by anxious study that by the help of God
all ills may be removed fiom civil society,
that erring wanderers may be led back into
the right way of truth, and that vice and
error may be eliminated, our august re-
igion and her salutary doctrine may every
where be quickened by fresh life, and may
still further extend their influence, and
thus piety honesty, prObity justice, charity,
and all the Christian virtues may gather
strength and flourish to the great benefit
of human society. None can ever deny
that the strength of the Catholic Church
and her doctrine does not alone regard the
eternal salvation of men, but is essential
also to the temporal welfare Of peoples,
and TO their real prosperity, order and tran
auilllty, and even to the progress and So
lidity OF human science, as the annals of
sacred ana profane history clearly prove
by a series of splendid facts and still con-
stantly demonstrate.
And since Christ the Lord so greatly
consoles and comforts It's with those words,
For when two or three are gathered to-
gether in my name. there am in the midst
of them, we cannot doubt that In the
abundance of His divine mercy, He would
vouchsafe to be present Mt this council, i'll
which we shall be able to establish those
things that in any way regard tie welfare
of His Holy Church. - - .
'Therefore. after most feIvent prayer
offered up day and night in the humility of
our heart to God the Father OF Light. We
have judged it to bt expedient that this
council should be assembled. For this
cause, strong in the authority of God the
T ttHef almighty. tile Don. ana the HOLY
Ghost, and Of the holy apostles, Peter and
Paul, which authority we represent on
earth, we, with the counsel and consent of
our venerable brethren the Cardinals OF the
holy Roman Church, by these present let
tiers, announce, convoke, and ordain the
sacred Gcumenica1 and General Council to
be holden in that, our city of Rome, in the
coming year, 1869, in the Vatican Basilica,
commencing upon the eighth day of De-
cember, sacred to the immaculate Concep-
ton of the Virgin Mary, and to be prose
cuted and conducted to it's termination by
the help of God, to His glory, and to the
salvation of all Christian people.
ave therefore desire and command that
our venerable brethren, the patriarchs,
archbishops, bishops, as also our beloved
sons, the abbots, and all Others who, by
right OF privilege, are entitled to sit in
general councils and to manifest their Opin-.
ions to the same, should from all parts re-
pair to this Gcumenical Council, convoked
by US aud to this effect we invite, exhort,
and aaimOnish them, both in virtue of the
oath they have taken to us and this Holy
See, and of holy obedience, and under the
penalties by law or custom decreed against
those who fail to appear at the councils.
We vigorously orilain and prescribe that
they shall be bound to attend this sacred
council, unless withheld by some Just I'M
pediment, which, however, must, in all
cases, be proved to the synod by the inter
mediary of legitimate proxies.
We cherish the hope that God, in whose
hands are the hearts of men, showing Him
self favorable to our desire, may grant that,
by His ineffable mercy and grace, all the
supreme princes and governors, more es-
pecially Catholic, of all nations, growing
daily more conscious of the immense bene-
fits which human society derives from the
Catholic Church, aud knowing that the
Church is the most stable foundation of
empires and kingdoms, not only will not
impede our venerable brethren, the bishops
and others, from attending this council, but
Will rather aid and favor this object, and
cooperate jealousy, as becomes Catholic
princes, in all that may result to the greater
glory OF God aud the benefit of this council.
" To the end that these our letters and
the things therein contained may come to
the knowledge of all whom it may concern,
aud that no person may he able to plead