The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-09
A PAPAL ENCYCLICAL.
THE PoPE's PRoNoUNCEMENT AGAINST GERMAN
CEsARIsM IN THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TON OF CLERoYMEN WHO RECEIVE PARo-

TdE POPE 3 PRONOUNCEMENT AGAINST GERGAN
cEsARIsM IN THE cHURcH-ExcoArMuNIcA-
TON OF CLERoYMEN WHO RECEIVE PARo-
CHIAL pnEsENTMENTs FROM THE STATE.
We are indebted to the proprletOrs OF the New
York Tablet for an advance copy OF the encyclical
letter which His Holiness Pope Plus TX. issued in
Rome ON the 9TH OF February, addressed to the
archbishops and bishops OF Prussia, on the pres.
enS condition OF the Catholic Church In the Ger
man Empire. His Holiness reviews the operation
OF the German ecclesiastical laws and recapltu-
lates the consequences OF the civil action. the
prisonment OF preates, sees rendered vacant and
attempts TO Tree suspended or excomma nicated
priests by the mourning congregations. Ais Hoi-
ness concludes In tne following words:-
In lulflment OF the duties of this apostolic
see, declare publicly, by This present Encyclica
TO all those whom 1t may concern, as well as TO
the whole Catholic world, that these laws are null
and VOID, because they are entirely contrary to
tue divine constitution OF the Church. For 1t is
not to the great ones OF the earth that the Lord
has subjected the bishops OF His Church III what
elates ~ HIS holy service, but to Peter, to wIom
He mas Entrusted His lambs and his sheep. (St.
temporal DO yer, however exalted 1t may be- has
tine right deprive OF their episcopal dignity those
VINO have been nominated by the Holy Spirit to
rule in the Church. facts OF the Apostles xx., 49,
TO this melancholy posture OF affairs must
NOBLE nation, ana which we may believe will be
criticised severely even by men who are not Catho
s.vely severe, and threaten With the heaviest
penalties those who do not obey them. They
place peacsable and inonensive citizens In the
unfortunate position VI men oppressed BY
force against which they are not aUle TO strug.
gle, solely because their conscience requires them
10 oppose these laws. One would say they were
made, no: Tor Tree citizens, OF whom only Q
reasonable obedience has right to be exacted.
but Tor slaves, VINO are made to obey by terror.
sAChILEGIOUs MEN AT THE ALTAR.
After what we have just said believe not that
they are to oe excused who. through lear. obey
W
sacrilegous men be criminal who dare to take pos
session OF the churches and exercise tho ministry.
arm. These Will not escape the justice OF God.
On the contrary, we pronounce that oil these
commit Ike CRIME by usurping an ecclesiastical
mission Will oe. by virtue OF the sacred canons,
m S and q w the
not to assist ut the holy sacrifice celebrated BY
these men. nor to receive the sacraments at their
ion IN order that the bad leaven may not spoil the
good dough.
CAESAR OR THE ALMIGHTY GOD
Let them know at tho sans time that
every one OF you is ready 70 pay his tribute 80
a s1e
OF your conscience. Have courage, then, aud con.
tluue as, you nave done TO fuinl the two duties
be great because you Will have patience. and viii
otbe weary Of suffering for the name OF Jesus
mucn greater trlbulation, and VINO submitted
Himself 10 the penalty OF death iul! Of
outrage, III Oruer that they VINO Oelleve IN him
may learn TO nee IRON the Iavors OF this world,
not TO shrink from terrors, TO love tribulations
through love OF tho truth, to fear and AVOID
the pleasures OF the world. IL Is he VINO has ar.
rayed you In tho line OF battle, who Will also
voucnsaie to you the necessary strength LOT the
combat In Him rests our nope. We submit to
Ills will and implors His mercy. You perceive
that wat lie ioretoid mas come to pass Have
confidence, then. He VIII voucnsaie to give you
all lie mas promised. "In the world ye shall nave
tribulaton, but nave overcome the world" Be.
levlng In TINS victory, we humbly lmplore the Holy
Spirit to bestow upon you peace ana grace As o
proof OF our special affection. we bestow upon
you with all our heart, as well as ell the clergy
aud la1v intrusted TO your keeping, our apostolic
benedictlon.
owen at Rome the 5th OF February, Of the year
1875 and In the twenty.ntnth year OF our vontin-
cate. Plus P.P. LXs