, 1880-12-01

jected to visible coercion, but true liberty
is not that which depends on the will OF
others, nor independence can that be
esteemed which is subjected in all to the
control of others. They also persist i'd
saying that freedom OF speech has been
lett us. as if so many Of orr glorious prede.
depths OF the catacombs, in the squalor OF
prisons, in the midst of torments and
under threats OF cruel death, and they.
nevertheless. were certainly neither free
nor independent in that state. We know
also that they cease not from saying and
writing that our Apostolic authority is
reverenced and respected in Rome. But
The truth OF this assertion may be easily
known by slightly bending the ear and
listening to the insults which in this same
city are with impunity aimed at US, at
religion and at the catholic church, of
which, though unworthy, we are the head
land supreme pastor. Only o few weeks
9have passed since beneath our very eyes
they celebrated with clamorous rejoicing
the anniversary of the violent occupation
OF Rome, that ever sorrowful day for US
which obliged the Pontiff to shut himself
within the barrow circuit OF these walls.
FINALLY they go about saying and repeat.
ing that nothing interteres with our doing
oil that is required for the government of
the Church. But, on the contrary, it is,
we'll known that they place manifold OBJ
stacles in our way. whether, for example,
by depriving us of the valid help OF the
religious families who are dispersed 10 the
hopes Of anuihilating them, or by advau-
cling pretended rights to the ereqaatar on
the Pontiical bulls and to the patronage
of the various episcopal sees in Italy.
What shall we say also regarding the &C.
cupation of churches in Rome, which,
closed to public worship. are destined to
public uses, the property and dominion OK
the ecclesiastical authorities 10 them not
only being contested, but even the means
of defending their rights at law being
denied9 What shall we say regarding
the door left open to impiety and heresy
in this city of Rome. our see and the GEN..
ire of Catholicism, without ito being pos
sible for US to oppose any sufficient aud
eficacious remedys And further, when.
impelled by love for the Roman people, to
our special care confided, we have sndea.
voured, at sacrifices beyond our resources
to counterpoiae against the Protestant
schools, %perilous to the faith. other schools
which would give parents every securi-
ty for the Christian education OF their
children, we could not do 90 by employing
the Poutifcal authority, but solely by
using those means which are conceded to
any private person whomsoever. From
our words you can fully understand, be-
loved children, how difficult and hard 10
the condition 10 which the Roman Pontiff
has been placed by the revolution. and
how vain are the fattering hopes OF those
who talk Of the possibility of its being
accepted on on: part. Mindful always OF
our duties, and knowing what is required
for the good of the Church, and the dignity
of the Roman Pontiicate, we shall never
~acquiesce Id the present condition OF thingss
nor shalt we cease. as we have never yet
ceased, from calling for the restitution of
all which by fraud and deceit has been
taken from the Apostolic See. For the
rest we shall wait with confidence and
tranquility until God, in whose hands 10
our cause, natures for the Church, that
day on which He will render justice to
her rights"
And with that the Pope imported his
Apostolic benediction.