Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-16
The Fone.s AlIocutiOn.

New York, March l6-A Rome dispatch
says the Pope, 10 his altocution delivered yes
terday for the precoDizatiou of the ne" Gar
dinas, said: Recognizing in part our care 10
these sad times to Increase your noble oroer OF
distinguished men TO assist 10 the protection OF
the Uoversal Church, and having determined
to discharge this duty, we wished to perform
it according to the solemn ancient rites as the
dignity of the Church demands, but the times
are opposed to our intention. The oppression
which we suffer is such that we have not even
the freedom of bewailiDg the attllctioDs OF the
Church. No wonder that those differing from
the Church by hereditary errors hate the
Church, and strive to attain this end. Y ntor.
tunately in Italy, where the supreme cathedra
of truth was placed by Divine dispensation,
children of the faith have become enemies OF
the Church, aud plot for its destruction, grieV-
ing our heart. Heuce have come the deplora.
bic injuries to the liberties, the possessions and
the ministers Of the Church, which we wit
ness, powcress to resist. Hence have come
the greatest evils to the souls Of men aud to
human society the corruption OF youth, which
will propagate the existing evils to future gen
crations. The educational institutions have
been Withdrawn from the watchfulness OF the
Church, and 10 youth, which should be the
seed time of virtues, wees are rooted 10 Schools
subject 10 the civil power. There Is education
without faith, without religion, according TO a
baleful, worldly wisdom. The education OF the
priesthood even is hampered by arbitrary rules,
so that it is difficult to regulate the course OF
their studies. The army conscrlptlon laws
take effect 10 the ranks OF the clergy. Inferior
clerics are encouraged coDtumaclously to resist
their bishops. The publication OF our dis,
courses is punished by the civil power; penal
laws are enacted against publishing the acts OF
the Apostolic See. The voice OF the Supreme
Master, the teacher 81 truth, Is slleDced, and
the rights of the faithful people are violated.
Let those who subject the Church TO slavery
bear 10 mind that they Invoke upon themselves
the Divine wrath, harder master and heavier
tyranny. Lately, in foreign country, wrltlngs
were d:vulged distorting the Vatican DEGREES.
The object was to effect the violation OF the
ib.rty of your Senate iu the selection OF our
successor by threats Of civil interference.
These acts point exclusively at our ECCLESIASTICAL
competence, but the mcrciful God ruling the
Church provideutaly ordained the hrm, ad-
mirable bishops of the German Empire who
refuted, in their noble declaration, the errone-
Gus doctrines We give the fullest praise be-
fore the Catholic world to the said bishops.
We approve their declarations and their pro-
test as being worthy of the virtue. dignity and
religion of the bishops We coufirm them in
their apostolic authority, praying the DlYlne
clemency to dissipate the designs OF our enc
mics and to end these evil days. Remember
ing that no wisdom or prudence can prevail
against the Lord, let US offer sacrifices
10 humility aud fervent prayer. Our GOD
is lust and merciful severe against those
who persist in their evil ways merclful
to those who are converted TO him.
Therefore let US turn our hearts 10 contrltlon to
him, praying for consolation ADD dellyerance.
He is powerful to defend US from our enemies,
preparing us for hereafter Of eternal joy.
Gregory, the Great, says in these trlbuatlons
greater struggle, greater cooperation greater
valor 10 battle are required OF the leaders. We
arc resolved, venerable brethren, to add to the
Senate Of the Holy Roman Church for the
glory of God and the utility Of the Church,
six more distinguished men whose names
are Known to you; who have shown them
selves worthy OF the high honor by the dis
charge of the Episcopal functions with zeal,
tortitude, prudence and learning or by bearing
cruel prosecutions with courage and conStancy.
We intend to create five other Cardinals. Ii
in the dispensaion of God this Holy See should
become vacant before their names are dlvu!ged,
they will be declared 10 Codicil attached to
our will. We decree by Apostolic authority
that they may have the right OF an active or
passive participation 10 the act OF choosing our
successor. The FIVE Cardinals reserved 10 Petto
arc as follows: Monsignors Pacca, viteleschl,
Randi NINA Simione, and Antlcl Matter.