The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-05-26
THE ENCYCLICAL.


world. Taking up, as it were, the argu
ment of the Church's mission at the point
at which it was left by the late venerated
Pontiff, it lays down with massive and elo
quent directness the great principles of re-
iIgion and the nature and indspensa bility
of the authority entrusted to the Wears of
Chrlst. The sad spectacle of the evils
which almost everywhere make themselves
visible in the con temporary world first of
all engages the attention and demands the
counsels of the Pontiff. At no time, indeed,
| since the foundation of Christianity, were
| the results of refusal to take heed of the
teaching of the Church more conspicuous
| or more baleful than in the Europe of to-
day. The whole economy of Christian
society appears to have been the object of
| the persistent Vaccinations of powerful
confederacy working together with or
without consciousness of CO operation.
Government have been denied; usurpa
tions have been established public faith
has been broken the reign of force has
been proclaimed, and all in the name of
liberty and the good of the people. The
Church, the true guardian of popular rights
and the most zealoas fosterer of popular
happiness, has been denounced as the one
remaining obstacle to the progress and
tranquility of nations. Aud what lie the
result Reckless administration, criminal
profnsioD, malVersation of public funds,
the increase of public burdens, interfer-
of wars, the entire population of Europe
crushed by conscription, perpetually me-
naced by mutual Invasion, and even in
time of external peace exposed to the de
structlve operations of revolutionary con-
spiracies and alternate periods of anarch-
ical liceDce and iron repression. Italy has
proclaimed her unity in virtue of principles |
of nationality, but dares not trust the cleo |
toral power in the hands of more than a |
small minority of the people. Germany
pretends to be the Empire of progress, aud |
Falck Laws and Socialist demonstrations |
give the measure of her real culture.
Russia aims at annexation on annexation |
in the name of Christianity, and the per-
secution of Poland, the devastation of
Bulgaria, the whip, the secret police, and
rank of champion of Christiau freedom.
Everywhere the anti Christian party had
declared that it was about to regenerate
mankind by breaking the bonds of religion,
oy silencing the Church, by driving the
priest from the school, from the marriage
rite, and from the bedside of the dying.
Everywhere the advent of a new civiliza-
ion, of modern science, was proclaimed
n every variety of fself-laudation. Nation
u Indebtedness, the increase of public aud
private crime, the spectacle of millions of
nen in arms, these are the fruits, even in s
he material sphere, of the revolt from the !
uthority and guidance of the Church of
;hrist.
It is ain that makes the people wretched.
iiseros faeit popH9os Paccatuns. This is !
he burthen of most of the Eocyclical. In ]
10 closer connexion could Leo XIII find .
he opportunity of speaking of the differ b
nee between the tTue civilization which
be Church approves and aids, and the false :
ivillsation which, renewing in our day the d
eceitful doctrines of Pagan and infdel 6
ophists, leads the nations which it seduces
D public and private corruption and final !
ecay.
1T is most clear. and evident, Venerable +
'rethren, that the cause OF cigilisation is deg
tdte of solid foundations long as it does Ii
OF rest npon the eternal principles of truth
nd on the tmmutHbfe laws of right and JUS Il
ice, aud 80 long az a sincere chafIty does not | 4
mite the mi nds of men and regulate the dis
motion and the motives of their reciprocal q
uties. Who can deny it But is i5 not the U
hurch which, by preaching the Gospel among (,
ne nations, has enkindled the light of truth
the midss of savage and supeTstitious peo- =
les, and has led them to the knowledge of the s.
vIne Author of all things and to the respect | A.
themselves Is it not the Church which,
causing the disappearance of the calamity
slavery, has recalled men to the dignity of l:
heir noble naturef Is it not the Church | e
hich, displaying upon all shores of the world Z
1e s3cred standard of REDEEM ption, attracting
i5 the sciences and arts and covering them r
ith it's protection, has everywhere, by its ex- G,
client institutions of charity, whore all ills
nd their solace. by the foundations and trusts Z
'ho 30 guardianship it has accepted, civilized
le human race by it's public and private mo- a
Atty, ralseG lG from It's misery and formed it
y numberlees oares to q manner of life in con. N
'rmity with the dignity and the hopes of ~
umanity 7" ,e
Pope Lee has not omitted to refer in suit. IL
BILE terms to the usurpation of the Tenn p,
oral Sovereignty of the Holy See. 1t is 81
OF earthly ambition which causes the Il
upreme Pontiff to demand the restoration
the Tenn poral Power which belongs to p
ne See of Rome. 1t is the certainty that =,
ne temporal independence, so long and SO
q " nra1 60 h. ~ | e.
ecessary to the full and free exercise of 4,
ne world wide mission committed to the 8
1ccessors of Peter. A Roman Pontiff ex- 70
rcising his Indispensable authority on the -
1fferance of any particular Government to
Europe is such a contradiction of the =,
lost elemental conception of the position
eitting such a pastorate, that it needs y
ut to recall the facts for a moments re- L
ection in order to perceive all the enor- =
llty of the existing situation. 1t is idle ts,1
no ~ he I6np 1, ,;,lA 81,