The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-09-12
Mission of the Jasuits in Russia.

Russia is certainly the country in which
the Jesuits are. the objects of the most
random determinations, and yet their having
been able to perpetuate themselves without
interruption since 1884 down to the present
day, and to survive the formidable coalition
of which they We're the object in the last
century, is due to Russia alone The good
seed was carefully preserved in that
country us precious deposit. The
Empress Catherine, a dissipated and i'll
bred woman, was at the same time fall of
intelligence and great views. She not only
obtained from the Holy See that the Brief
for the suppression of the Jesuits should
not be promulgated in her empire, but also
that they should be allowed to establish
novitiates there. sit is not enough that
they exist" she said, "I intend that they
shall not cease to exist.n The King Of
Spain protested against this protection,
which nullified his cowardly intrigues. The
reply of the Empress was such as to pre-
vent the disciple of Pombal from wishing
to return to the charge. She wrote with
her own hand, 81 have to make known to
your Majesty the decision 1 have adopted
to maintain the Jesuits in my dominions,
decision to which L have been led by we'll
considered motives, and as offered no
opposition to the Intentions of your
Majesty regarding these same religious
within your own kingdom, / trust your
Majesty win be good enough to put no OBJ
i
taking IN their favor inmy empire. Ihaye
also to make known to your Majesty that
throughout this affair have neither asked
nor obtained anything! from the reigning
Pontiff (Fins VIZ 1 have only made use of
the powers which had been granted to me
by the late Pope Gangauelli. l therefore
warn your Majesty to makers sort of COM
plant to his Holiness on this subject, and
not to cause him any uneasiness; for
should consider the injury as done TO myself
and should feel bound to defend his Holiness,
eUen at the risk Of my crO,cR, If it tCere
necessary" Why was Catherine SO ener-
geticT We cannot suppose that she was
influenced by religious considerations; she
was in the habit Of laughing at the Catholic
Church, as we'll |as at the faith which
policy had induced her TO embrace She
was not very accessible to religious i'm
pressions, but she was n profoundly gifted
politician She acted elevefly, and much
in the way that Prussia acts at present, in
not wouGains the religious convictions of
the Catholic populations which it has
annexed and desired to annex. At that
time Russia had just acquired vast
possessions almost entirely Catholic, and
Catherine was dcsiTOus of preventing any
chanea- ef-tbe existing Justification being
strengthened by II religious element. To
this end she saw the need of n priesthood
more Roman than Polish, and also more
Jealous about the salvation of souls than
about temporal affairs. She thought that
the Jesuits, amongst whom all nationalities
were found, would serve her purpose, and
she was not deceived. Amidst all the
ealumnies heaped upon the Jesuits in
Russia, they were never accused OF
intriguing with the enemies of the Govern
mcnt, or with her unruly subjects. Then,
as now, it was essential that good under
should prevail among people
composed of SO many diverse races. The
Jesuits devoted themselves to this work
with zeal and disinterestedAess such as
Russia has never since had in her service;
she has killed the goose that laid the golden
nnnS. II - n u