The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-21
GFRN1NY AND ROME
An Important Letter from Pope leo XIII.
60 the Archbishop Of Cologne.

Tho New York Oufholic Herald OF this
week contains n letter from tho Supreme Pom
til. Of which tho following are tho chief points:
IA soon M ever. on our oxallation to tho
height OF this apostolic throne. we turned to nd
dress ourselves to all our venerable brethren IN
the cpiscopntc. we found In their replies such
AN identity OF thought. opinion. and almost OF
words, that we not only md to rejoice nj tho
marvellous unity which ilourishcs in the Church
ol God. but had mHnifc.i proof that the Bishops
of tho whole world wore the interpreters OF the
sound doctrine which is handed down 10y tho
Apostolic Soc and that thny would b. TO us will
ling and cheerful helpers in our pastoral caro-
hut now this unity in doctrine. I'm counsel.
and in acton gives us ground Tor hope That MI
will happen according to our dcsirra. I'm which
casc not only will the Church derive the great
est advantages, but civil society also Will reap
the most abundant fruits. For YOU well know.
venerable brother that we entertain the most
intimaia convicion-,a CONVICTION which we
have often expressed ana publicly declared
that the cuuse of the ancntablr dangers which
threaten human society ie to be sought princi-
Inlly in TIA" fact thnt tho authority 81 tho
Church IL on MI sides intercepted md pro-
vented from publicly exercising liz ,salutqry in
fluencc for tho common good, md that its lib
crv H. so lntlorod that 1t Is scarcely allowed to
provide for the private necessities md welfare
OF individuals. And this persuasion Is gen
Grated in our mind not only hy the knowledge
which we have OF the nnturo and powerful in
nn'ncc OF the Church. but also by unqu"stion.
able historical proofs. from which II IL manifest
that the condition OF civil society IL then most
prosperous when the Church enjoys full liberty
OF ilon, ana thnt whenever she ~ enucklel ny
restrictions. those principles and doctrines
which tend to the fall and dissolution OF all hui
man society begin 10 prevail.
Since. then. this has been long our settled
opinion, II was natural that. from the very be-
ginning Of our Pontillcatc we should strive TO
call back princes and peoples 20 peace and
friendship with the Church. And TO you. ven
cradle brother. 1t il certainly VOL known that
we have for some time directed our efforts to
tho end that the noble nation 81 the Germans
may see the end Of its discussions and obtain
the blessings ana fruits " q lasting peace with
out injury TO the rights NJ tho Church. and wa
think that you also know that M far ns we arO
concerned. We have neglected no means OF ar
irving AT an end so noble uni SO worthy Of our
solioitude. But whether that which We have
undertaken ana ure striving TO eject will ut
last b' prospcrou=lY ACCOMPLISHED, lie knows
from whom comes everything That is good, md
who has implanted in us 80 ardent desire and
longing for peace.
but whatever may DO tho ultimate issue ro-
signing ourselves to the divine will. hut ami
mated 10y thc same desire, we viii pcrscycrr in
the nrduous task committed 10 us so long MS
HE shuil endure. For 80 grcnt duty cannot
lawfully hc postponed for others or neglected.; :
s'n'c, 10y reason OF the perry rted tea hing and
nudacious counscls of prrlliiuus men vino
have thrown OF an restraint of law. religious
political and o'ill ord r Us seen IT, ho threat
enod with such crnve destruction that We should
hold ourselves to bee nrglcciing the duty Of our
apostolic ministry IT We did not provide for
human society. in this most dangerous crisis OF
its oNistrnrc lis ciilcarou- remedies which
the Church has 10 oiirr. From this purpose.
therefore. Of saving all. and particularly your
nation. venerable hr lturr. no obstacles. from
whatever quart.r they may bc intcrposcd. Will
turn Us inside. For our heart will never be- able
t. rest ps long as to the great loss of souls. we
see the pastors of the Church condemned or
cNllcd. the ministry Of the pri, sthoOd icttcrod
In every WAY, the religious communities and
piOur congrCEutl ms over rOWn ana p altered.
and the education of youth. not even thut % the
clergy being excepted, Withdrawn from the
authority and waicliul caro- 90 the Bishops.
Gi,c At Rome. ~ - lc'cr.. ihc 2iu day 81 pcccm
Der. Ia the hrst year of ON Fonuhcac LEo ff AllL