The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-23

constituted at ST. Petersburg, called the Roman
CATHOLIC Ecclesiastical College, over which tho
appertaining even to matters of faith and con-
science, which are sent to us and the Apostolic
See by the bishops, clergy, and faithful people
Poland are first to be transmitted to this col
legej and the college has to examine them and
to decide whether the petitions. exceed the
power of the bishops; in which case it is to see
that they be forwarded to U.S. Aud when our
decision arrives thither, the president of the
college is bound to forward it to the Minister
of the Interior, that he may decide whether
anything be contained contrary to the laws of
the state and the rights of the sovereign, and
may execute it at his pleasure and discretion
should nothing of the sort be found.
worthy of blame and Reproduction is this decree
issued by-lny- and schismaticaf authority.It
destroys the Divine constitution Of the Catho-
lie Church; it subyerts ecclesiastical disci-
pine; it infiicts great injury our Supreme
Pontifical power and authority, and Oh the
power and authority of this Holy See and of
the bishops it mpels the faithful toward q
fatal schisnl, and violates the very law of ma
ture as to matters which concern faith and
conscience.
Moreover, the Catholic Academy of Warsaw
has been destroyed, and ruin impends over the
Ruthenian Diocese of Chelm and Belz. Most of
all have we to lament that q certain priest,
Wajciki, man of suspected faith, despising all
ecclesiastical penalties and censure, disregard
ing the terrible judgment Of God has dared to
accept from the civil power the government
and administration of that diocese, and to is
slle eundry ordinances opposed to ecclesiastical
discipline, and furthering a fatal schisln.
- Amid these misfortunes, affecting and the
Church, we entreat you, venerable brethren, as
there is none to fight for us save the Lord, our
becomes your zeal for the Catholic Church and
your affection for us, and together with all
your clergy and people, to pray to God, without
ceasing to be mindful of His mercies tchicA are
~ His wrath from n
His Holy Church and us from these evils,
to help and defend by His Omnipotence our be-
loved children of the Church in all parts, and
especially in the Russian empire and kingdom
of Poland, exposed they are, to many
snares, and visited by many crosses, to keep,
confirm, and fOrtify them daily i'll the profession
of the Catholic faith and its saving doctrine, TO
dissiPateall the impioiIs connseis of the enemy,
to recall them from the gulf of sin to the path
of virtue, and to guide them i'll the way of His
commandments.
We direct-you, therefore, to announce public
prayers i'll your ,ioceses, for three days, at your
CHOICE within the next six months and within
u year in dioceses beyond the seas. And that
the faithful may assist Mt these public prayers
and beseech God with more devotion, gra-
ciously grant in the Lord to all and each of the
faithful of Christ of both sexes who shall de-
yontly attend on the three days. and shall pray
to- God according to our intentions in the pres
emit needs of Church, and who shall have
been cleansed by Sacramental Confession and
by Holy Communion, plenary iHanl--
gence and remission of all their sins. And to
those of the faithful who being contrite ofheart
shall on any one of the said days perform the
other works, we remit according to the wonted
form of the Church, seven years and seven times
forty days of the penances enjoined on them, or
obligatory. Also, we grant ih the
Lord that all and singular these indulgences
remissons of sins, and rclaxations of penances,
may be applied, by way of suffrage, to the souls
of Christ's faithful who have departed this life
in union with God by charity: All things what
soever to the contrary notwithstanding.
Lastly, nothing is more pleasing to us than
to profit by this occasion to testify and repeat
the special kindness with which we eI1l5face
you in the Lord. In sure token of which, .ac-
cept the Apostolcal Benediction, which with
cordial affection we lovingly bestow'en your
selves, venerable brethren, and on all the cler- 1
gy and laity Entrusted to your vigilance.
Given at Rome, at st. Peters, October II,
1867, in the twenty-second. year of our
Pontifcate. Plus =. p. TX.