Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-10-08
The PapaI Policy.

The Pope has addressed to Cardinal Nha.
the PontiGca! Secretary of State, letter datt.i
August 81, and only now published, explaining
at lcngth the programme and the policy OF the
Holy See. After paying tribute of regret to
the memory Of the late Cardinal Franchi the
Pope eu!ogizos the ability and 6rmness of bis
successor, to whom His Holiness makes known
bis views Tho Pope proceeds to say that On
his elevation to tho PontiGcate he sent to the
Catholic Epscopate an cocycllcallcttcr deporlDg
the present disGrdercd state OF society, and
pointing to tho benefcent i0hueDcs OF the
Church, as Cyeu now possessing strength to
countcraot the moral evils atll citing society.
His Holiness, guided by his desire to ameliorate
these ills, addressed himself to the sovcreisus
of even those countries not united with him in
tho bond OF the Catholic faith and invited
them not to reject the aid Of the Church. Re
spectiDg tie negotiations bct1ecn Germany and
the Vatican the Pope's letter says :-"Folow-
ing the Impulse of Cur heart we wrote also to
tn, powerful Emperor of the iustrous Ger
man nation, which, on account Of the difficult
position OF the Catholics in that country,
called for cur special solicitule. The step Oh
our palt, solely inspired by the desire Ofseeirs
religious peace restored to Germany, was fav.
orably received BY the Emperor, aud bad the
happy result Of bringing about friendly rcRo
tiatioDs, in wLca it IVES not our intention 10
obtain merely truce, but rca !, solid nrd
durable peacs. The importaEc, of this object
wss Justly estimated By tho wisdom OF those ~
whose bands tho destinles OF tho Empire arc
placed, and will. we feel sure, lead them to cx~
tend to US friendly hand to attain 1t. The
Church, without douot, vii! be happy TO sec
~ kut
will be fortunate also for the Empire, which.
with Catholic conscerc:s at rest will iird, 90
in times past, its most faithful and devoted
s,tjecis amoog the sons of tho Caiho'i,
Church.
Relative TO the Eastern question, the Pope
:-"Our attention has also been directed
to the East whore events arc, perhaps, prcpar-
ing for the CEurch and the better !l;ulc. Tho
Holy Sec will make every effort 10 promote She
Interests ci religion ia these regions" Pro.
cacCilc to touch upon the state OF things be-.
tween the Vatican a1d the Italian gOVernucut,
tie Ponc directed the serious attcnlion
Ct Cardipai Mia 10 the difficult position cEaa.
ted for t..o Pope Ia I'aiy ana AZ Eame
in consequence of the srolation 0? his temporal
power Tho Pope" continues tho lotter, "w!'l
not now dwell upon the rights OF the icIy see
nor upon thC di:4uetu1? felt ~ Ga!hcGI"s ~
seeing lh"ir fstaer deprived Of liberty and o.
real and workable Independence bat Hia holiness
must observe ths; while the spiritual power har
need of the fullest liberty, under present eIrcHm-
Stances j! il: On tho contrary, iDlpeded 10 u
manner that renders the govern ;icHt OF the N",'
yerssl church very dillicnl;'
THO Pope Mliycr.s 10 the complaints Of His
predecessor, Plus iN, or this head and also
spe.ks in cUEdemuatory tc:In. OF the Suppression
OF rolipious bodies ihe law Ci universal mi! !'I!ary
service and thu establishment in ''Cnl@ OF hoFt"
eel converts and schools His Holiness further
complains of tho cX;lGntur Insisted ul'a 0y re
government in the nun!ins!inn ni b'shnss mnd
Of citbor refusing to rccons:riz, ccrtsia p'el.."'
nominated By tho Vallcan or e,J i'!lnE tnr.r
r.congntioa % tedious tormnii.i:s. IL, Hci.
ness does no: admit therights OF coyal ;;at:on"Sn
claimed by the ltalian goVernlsHi- in ths noni'
nation OF certsn b;shoprics; and sttor gdnnr",1
protesting against the growing hostliity "t IN"
italian government toward tao Caur1h, c)n.
cludes by saying: ''In this deplorabe ststs OF
things we !it our eyes 20 heaven and plsca our
trust in God. We are not unmindful oi III,
duty lmposcG on us by our apostolic oNice, hha
sb ali perform it. Fulfil yours in like msnnoT,
and rest always assured Of our support