The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-23
PASTORAL LETTER
ARCHBISHOP AND BISHOPS OF THE PROVINCE
OF NEW ORLEANS.
ASSEMBLED IN COUNCIL,
To the Clergy and Faithful Of their Dioceses.

ASSEMBLED IN COUNCIL,
To the Clergy and Faithful Of their Dioceses
Reverend Feiiow.LAborers dearly beloved Brethren
Having closed the labors of this council
the third one held according to the Sacret
Canons in this Ecclesiastical Province o
New Orleans, we cannot separate wthou
addressing to you some words of admoni
tion, of e1hortation, and encouragement
Coming from the united voice of all Of US
whom God has placed over the different do
ceses Of the Province, we know they will hav.
more weight and authority with you, ani
will produce deeper and more lasting
impression ON your minds and hearts.
It is but right that we should speak dir.
ectly to yourselves, since it is for your sake
that We have been assembled. All our
deliberations have been directed to one
sole end, the advancement of your spiritual
interests. A considerable number of your
jealous Priests, our fellow -laborers in the
sacred ministry, have been invited to assist
us, by communicating their knowledge OF
your wants, and their judgment ss to the
surest ways of providing for them. In
forming our decisions we have sought only
the best means of securing your sancti6ca-
tion and removing the obstacles to your
eternal salvation for this is the great end
Of our divine mission among you.
We do not indeed communicate to you
just now tho DEGREES which have been
framed in the Council, because, according
to the regulations of the Church, they are
not to be published until they have been
sanctioned by the authority of Him to
whom Our Saviour entrusted the charge of
both the floe4 and the Pastors, when he
said to Peter: "Feed my lambs feed my
sheep" But, there are some necessary
teachings and some important duties,
which we feel bound to urge upon your
attention on this solemn occasion.
In these days when the passions of men
are so much excited, when all the princi-
pies of authority arc openly attacked, and
the very foundations of civilized society
are in danger from the same bad men who
assail the Church, our first duty is to re-
mind yon Of tho love, the respect, the
obedience, the entire devotion, which all
of us are bound to feel and to manifest,
towards the Holy Father of all the faithful
whom Jesus Christ has appointed to be
His own Vicar, His representative on earth,
Him who is the keystone of the whole
building,-the centre of unity the living
oracle of the Holy Ghost,-the lamp ever
burning and ever MISUNDERSTANDING it's
rays of heavenly truths, to give light aud
warmth throughout the entire world.
If the Church has taken such deep root
in the United States within the last few
years--and spread its branches and null
tipied its fruits to so wonderful a degree
it is owins-aboye all other causes-to
our close attachment to the Holy See.
Bishops, Priests and Laity have always
gloried in protesting their devotion to the
Holy Roman Church, the Mother and the
Mistress Of all the Churches ofthe eartt,-I
and their respect, love aud submission to
its Bishop, the Chief Pastor o. the whole
flock of Christ.-Continue, dearly Beloved,
to cherish this spirit of union with Your
appointed head, remembe that
in the deluge of unbelief and impiety which
seems to overwhelm the earth-your only
hope of safety is in the ship which Peter
guides.
And in the present circumstances, dearly
Beloved, we would not be true to our "a
cred office, if We did not protest in the name
of all the Catholics of our Dioceses, against
the impious outrages, and the sacrilegious
injustice now offered to our noble and
venerated PontifJ, whom even his enemies
confess to be 80 meek, 80 amiable, so lib
eral to all, and who at the same time has
proved himself 30 firm, SO noble and so
grand. We have reason indeed to thank
God, that in these days of storms, He has
mercifully chosen SC sanity man to guide
his church 30 gloriously.
AT the same time, you understand of
course, Beloved Brethren, that no matter
to what trials, God in His adorable wisdom
may allow his church to be exposed from
lime to time,-there is no power on earth
that can wrest from her the spiritual author
ty which Jesus Christ has given her. Hehas
pledged His divine word that the gates
hnl ahol ~