The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-08-17
M,rninss Star and Catholic Messenger.
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY. AUGUST IT, 1873.

UoCldratlON anu appear VA tAi0 SothohS
militant Union of the Cross of the
diocese of New Orleans, adopted during
the Iridium of Prayer, August 18th,
18th and 18th, 1873.
On the occasion of the universal iridium of
prayer appointed to obtain from Almighty God
the release of the Holy Father from captivity,
the deliverance of the Church from persecu-
ton, and the speedy accomplishment OF her
inevitable triumph-we, the Provincial Coun-
Gil Diocesan Council and Sections of the Cath !
olic Militant Union of the Cross within the
Diocese of New Orleans, declare, as Catholics
and citizens of this free country, that we re-
gard with aston ishment and indignation the
infamous acts of certain so-called constitu-
tional monarchies and pretended republics,
against Christianity and our Holy Church, in
Europe.
They have, while words of peace and good
will fell from their treacherous lips, abused
the advantage Of superior numbers and mill
tary strength, to wrest happy people and
territory from the temporal sovereignty that
had been universally acknowledged and ap-
proved by all Christen for more than one
thousand years.
They have not only usurped the temporal
sovereignty and necessary independence they
but have even deprived the good and glorious
Pope Plus TX. of his personal liberty, forcing
him, by their insults and threats, to confne
himself strictly within the limits of the Vati-
can and not content with this ungrateful in
jury, have sought to invade even his prison,
in order to infict brutal indignities on his
venerable person and outrage his compassion
ate feelings.
They have, in place of paternal and benef-
cent government, which respected the just
rights of individ uals, established an arbitrary
and rapacious tyranny, which acknowledges
no principle but ha tired to God, and no rule of
action but the gratific alton of sensuality and
every other evil passion.
They have drained the substance and de-
stroyed the prosperity of their new, as we'll as
of their former subjects, to such an extreme,
that those who find an opportunity emigrate
to seek refuge in lands where equal liberty
and the peaceful enjoym ent of the fruits Of
labor are still secured.
They claim for the State the place and stead
of Christ, they found churches in the name
and under the headship of the State, and pre-
scribe for these Cgsarian churches blasphemou
doctrines of their own impious invention.
They assert, for their capricious and pre-
carious Governments, the monstrous preroga
two of deciding what are the true dogmas o
Faith, and of debating forcibly and arbtraril.
what shall be the religion of the people.
They despotically usurp the right of ap
pointing and instalii ing recreant prelates ant
pastors who teach opinions intolerably repul
sive to the consciences of the congregation
on whom they are imposed.
They wrest from the Church of Christ he
inalienable privilege of appointing spiritua
shepherds, and of sending forth apostles an
missionaries to teach the nations.
They forbid the consecrated priests of til
Most High God to preach or offer Holy Sacr
fee without having obtained license from tb
irreligious agents of their temporal police; an
. they punish all who do not obey them rathe
than God.
They compel all those who have a vocatio
for teaching the Word of God, to receive til
word OF mon dictated by the State and il
servile Universities and they interdict ever
Clergyman who has not been educated by then
and who doesnot profess the satanic theolog
inculcated by State-craft and antiChrist.
They pursue with pains and penalties ever
Spiritual Authority that attempts to remoy
unbelievers and apostates from the commit
MON Of the Faithful; and they would fore
whole congregations to communicate, in rel
gion, with those whom they conscientious
regard as backsliders or intruders.
They take violent possession of the tempt
of the living God to give them up to the
abominable and sacrilegous minions, VIII
though they have forfeited all priestly fun
tions, profane and desecrate the holy places.
They have, in contemptuous disregard of Il
right of property, the dictates of commt
honesty and even of human pity, rapacons
and arbitrarily seized and converted to the
own vain and worldly uses, lands, houses Al
revenues of the value of many millions, wh
had from time immemorial been legally vest
in the Religious Orders. and had been deriv
from the voluntary contributions of the Fait
full.
They have, after robbing the Societies d
Orders, of their property, cruelty driven t
now destitute owners, male and female, to b
assistance from the hand of an impoverish
but indomnitable Christian charity.