The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-05-07
The EngLsh Deputstisn.

The EngAsh Deputatisn.
The following is the reply of the Pope
to the English deputation, whose address
we gave in last weeks STAR. The audi
ence, (says the Roman correspondent of the
London Register), took place in the throne
room, and the Holy Father left nothing un-
done to testify how fully he honored the
noble gentlemen, and appreciated the mo-
tives which brought them to the foot of his
throne. send you his answer, but to ap-
preciate it one should have been present to
note the changing features, the majestic
gestures, and Listen to that magic voice
which exercises such spell on all who
hear it. The address was read in French
by the Duke of Norfolk, and in the same
language his Holiness replied:
feel full of love, affection and gratitude
in responding to the gracious sentiments
which you have this moment expressed for
the Holy See, and this feeble man whom it
has pleased God to occupy it in times 30
difficult and 30 adverse-times in which
many have risen against Christ and His
Church, of which we are obliged to uphold
the rights-rights which are those of truth
and justice. Yes, l repeat, am penetrated
with gratitude, aad your presence recalls
to my memory one of my great predeces-
who loved England much-St. Gregory the
Great. l am bis successor, and, though
cannot compare myself to him in virtue or
in learning, certainly do not yield to him
In affection for you and your country. I
have dene all in my. power to extend,
multiply and enlarge the Church in your
native land, which was once called the
Island of Saints, and which, up to the
present moment, exercises such influence on
the world and on society. begged of St.
Gregory to inspire me with the words
ought to address to you, and two ideas
present themselves to my mind. The first
Is that you may be always united, and that
your zeal may ever equal that which ia now
manifesting itself ali over the Catholic
world. So that it may be said of you as OF
the early Christians, !" Credenfiun, erdt cor
Christians in forming all over the world a
compact Phalanx, united t" the head pas
tor OF the Church in order to combat cour-
ageously against errors and against unbe-
lcvers, laying aside every rule of human
policy which should never be COMPOUNDED
with rules of the Catholic Faith. We have
not to combat politics or Governments, but
to sustain the rights of truth and of re-
ligion-rights which have been confided to
Us by Jesus Christ. My dear children,
courage is also necessary; courage to speak
in defence of the rights of the Church and
to defend them against her enemies, who
in Italy, as elsewhere, wage war against
her. This war isnot alone against the Holy
See. There are many who no longer de-
sire to hear Jesus Christ and the Blessed
Virgin spoken Of To combat such a war
we must put forth all our forces, " Portae
in.feri non prrraiebMRf." l would have
many other things to say to you, my dear
sons, but do not like to trespass on your
| time, accompany you with my benedic-
tion, which give you with all my heart.
have already told you l love England,
and that though st. Gregory excels me in
science and virtue, he does not surpass me
in my love for her. There l am equal to
st. Gregory. May my blessing accompany
you during life; may it be with you, with
your wives, with your children, on your
estates and on your health, SO that you may
live and die in this benediction. May God
grant that the Catholic Church may -four
ish in England, grant that she may prosper
there bless all who are here present, 8,
that one day the lips of all may open t,
glorify you for all eternity. " Benedici
Del omnipotentis," etc.-Register.