The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1873-01-26

the evils that have fallen, in late years, or
that noble people, t6the hnrt Of faith and
scclesi ssticai discipline, by deplorabie
series of acts Of the government, as these
have been the, occasion Of the most just
SSS"p,srats; eSa aaa worthy e. ths!r dignity, on
Bishops ofSpain, so, now, they demand our
solemn expostn lations. ,-- IS - es.s .,.l
Even sadder things are to be mentioned
IN regard to that petty but impudent hand
fni OF Armenian Schismatics, who, espec.
tally at Constan tinople, have tried, by the
brazenness Of their fraud and violence, to
overpower tho far greater number of them
who have continued drm to duty and to tho
faith: The schismatics, classifying the name
OF Catholics. persevere in their rebellion
against Our Suprenae Authority and against
their rightful Patriarch, who, exiled by
their tntrigues, has sought refuge with us.
But their guile has so far availed with tho
Civil power, that notwithstanding the care
and efforts Of our Legate Extraordinary,
cent to settle these troubles, aud notwith-
standing Oar Letters TO tho Sublime Porte,
they have, by force of arms, seized, and
formed to their own use come Of the
Churches Of Catholics, have entered into .
plot, and made for Themselves o schismatic
Patriarch, and have continued to rob Cath
oiics Of immanities hitherto accorded them.
Ii theee our most just condemDatiens are
confemned, We msy have to speak more at
length on theae ycxations Of the Church,
briefly alluded 70. '''' 80. f--'
Bat, ,4midss all these causes Of sorrow,
Venerable Rrethern, you can find relief, as
We, also! arc lifted up, Mt behoiding the
admirable frmness and assidnity Of the
Catholic Episcopate, both Of the countries
mentioned, and also of other regions, where
the Prelates, with their loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate
OF justice, and closely tied to this See Of
Peter, dismayed by no dangers, discour
aged BY NO hardships, sometimes singly,
Sy wsas bH s9
Letters, combat for the Church, for this
Holy See, and for its sacred rights, valiant
ly and earnestly, together with their Clergy,
and with the faithful Of their people.
They repress the violence Of wrong;
they refute calamnies, they. expose snares,
they show forth to ali men the light Of truth,
they give strength to the right-nindsd, and
to the attacks of enemies burstiLg on them
on all sides, they present the power Of q
compact unity; and to us, suffering from
all the ills that assaii the church, they
afford sweetest comfort, and . powerful
help. ,,,...,. >.-s ,.-.
And, assuredly this would be rendered
yet more effective, If the bonds by which
minds and hearts are already Joined TO-
gether were to be fostered moro closely,
and more intimately. To this end, more
over, no one can douot that IL would be
most opportune, If those holding Metropo-
Titan authority over Ecclesiastical Pro-
vinces were to consult with their Sufragans
as to the better method, as the eircumsta
ces of the times may indicate, by which
they may all be drawn closer together, and
Strengthened for the hard fight against the
attempts of impiety, by the preparation of
a united resolution.
God has, surely, visited US, Venerable
Brethren, with His sword, hard, and heavy,
and strong; and a smoke has gone mp in
His wrath, and a fire has burned before His
face. But, will the Lord cast off forever
Or will He not be appeased, that He will
look on us more kindly Far be It FROM
Him For the Lord will not forget to have
mercy, nor will he shut up HE tender mer-
cies in anger. But He that is bountiful in
forgiveness, and shows favor to those that
call on Him In truth, will pour out on US the
richness Of His mercy.
Let us seek to appease the Divine wrath,
in this acceptable time when We celebrate
the Advent OF the Lord and let us 60, to
meet the King Of Peace, Who is now,
about TO come that He may proclaim peace
to men of good will. God, just and uier-
eiful, by whose tnscruteble dispositiOn We
have been born to SEQ the afaiceiOn OF our
people, and the sffiictfOn Of the HOiy City,
and TO remain in it when it is given into the
hands of enemies, may He bow His ear and
hear; may He open His eyes and sec our
desolation, and that Of the City on which
His name has been called!