The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-21
THE POPE'S ALLOCUTION
WHAT HIS HOLINESS HAS TO SAY
ABOUT THE PRESENT CONDITION
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

WHAT HIS HOLINESS HAS TO SAY
ABOUT THE PRESENT CONDITION
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Paris Univers Of April l, contains
the full text of the Allocution delivered by
Pope Leo XIII on the 2sth Of March. 1t is
asserted here, by the most eminent Roman
Catholic prelates, that the abstract of the
Allocution sent to this country by telegraph
was imperfect and disappearing.
THE ALLoCuT1oN.
Venerable Brethren--Sinoe we we're called
last month by your suffrages to und 3rtake the
government OF the whole Church, and to hold
on the earth the place of the prince OF pastors,
Jesus Christ, we have felt our spirit Oppress-
ed with trouble and alright. On one side,
profound conviction of our unworthiness,
and by the inadequacy of our strength
to support q burden 80 much the
more heavy, as the renown
OF our predecessor, Pope Plus TX OF immortal
spread throughout the world. For this re-
markable pastor OF the Catholic flock, who
always fought invincibly for truth and for
justice, and who accomplished in a remarka-
Die az such great things for the
lumined the Apostolic chair with the splendor
OF his virtues, but moreover, SO filled the
church with love and admiration for him that
even as ne surpassed the bishops of Rome in
obtained, more than the rest, the greatest and
most constant proofs OF public respect and
veneration. On another side we were wildly
preoccupied with the critical condition In
which, almost everywhere in our time, are
found not only civil society, but the Catholic
Church herself, and, above all, this Apostolic
See, which, despoiled by violence OF it's tenn
poral sovereignty, has been brought to the
point OF no longer being able at all to enjoy
the full, free and unopposed exercise of it's
power.
But although for these reasons. venerable
brethren, we were moved to decline the honor
which was conferred upon US, how could we
withstand the divine will so clearly made
frages, and by that pious anxiety to finish as
quickly as possible, for the good of the
Church, which alone you have in view, the
election of the sovereign Pontiff2
We have believed it our duty, therefore, to
accept this charge, of the suprem apostolate
which was offered to US, and to obey The d.
vine will, putting all our trust in God, and
firmly hoping that He who had conferred
upon us the honor would also supply the
necessary strength to our humility
And now, venerable brethren, that it is
given to us to address for the first time from
this place your renowned college, we SOL
EMMY declare above all before you that we
shall never have anything more nearly at
try than to devote, with the grace of God, all
our solicitude to preserve sacredly the deposit
OF the Catholic faith, to maintain faithfully the
rights and interests OF the Church and OF the
Apostolic See, to seek the salvation of all
ready as we are in all things to shun no toll,
to shrink from no trial, and never to do any,
thing which might show that we esteem our
life more than ourselves.
In the fulfillment of the duties OF our min
istry we have confidence that vour counsel
and yEiaInfD will NOT foil W.
ly desire and we demand Of you that they
shall never fail us: and you must not mistake
this appeal as simply an effect of the solicitude
OF our charge, but we desire that it shall be
Of our will. For we have deeply craven si in
mind that which the Holy Scriptures tell us
that Moses did by the order of God when,
dismayed by the heavy burden of ruling the
whole people, he joined to himself seventy
Of the elders of Israel, that they might share
the charge with him and succor him with
their zeal and counsel in the cares of the gov
eminent OF the nation Of Israel We have
put before ourselves this example-we who,
Notwithstanding our unworthiness are the
chief and the ruler of the whole Christian
people; having it before our eyes, we cannot
fail to demand OF you-you who hold in the
Church OF God the place Of the Seventy of
Israel, help in our tolls and assistance for our
spirit.
Furthermore we know since the Holy Scrip
lures teach u.s. that in an abundance Of coun-
sellers there is safety; we know by the teach
ings OF the Council OF Trent that the admin
stration of the whole Church rests upon the
Council of Cardinals stationed near the Sow
ereign Pontif; lastly, we know from st. Ber-
nard that the Cardinals are called the assist
ants and the counsellors of the Roman Pom
tiff; and this is why we, who shared during
twenty-five years the honor Of your college.
have brought to this chair, not only mind
full OF affection and good will toward you,
but also the firm purpose Of having for COM
pan1ons and cO-workers In our labOrs and de-
alterations in the transaction OF the business
OF the church those whom we formerly had as
colleagues in dignity.
For the rest, venerable brethren, we do not
at all doubt that, joining your efforts to ours,
you will work ardently with us for the pro-
lection and maintenance OF religion, for the
defense OF the Apostolic See, and for the
increase OF the divine glory; for you know
that we shall have a common recon pense In
Heaven II we have labored in common for the
Well-being OF the Church. Pray then humbly
OF God, who is rich In mercy, by the powerful
Of His Immaculate Mother, OF
st. Joseph, the heavenly patron OF the
Church, and OF the holy Apostles Peter and
Paul, that His goodness assist u.s. that He
direct our thoughts and our actions, that He
order happily the time of our ministry, and,
lastly, that He conduct this bark Of Peter,
which he has confided to US to steer over a
raging sea- after he shall have mastered and
appeased the winds and waves, to the desired
haven OF tranquility and peace.
t.
THE GREAT KENNEsAW ROUTE
HOGS fob tho1a ol T.,