Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-08-21
BISHOP WATTERSON.

Pastoral Letter on the Presidents Illness.
Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.
COLUMBUS, O., August 1s.-Bishop Wat
tersOn, of the Catholic diocese of Columbus,
has issued the following pastoral letter to
the clergy in reference to the iIluess of the
President
REV. AND DEAR SIR: Our holy father, Leo
XIII, in his late encyclical, has already and
emphatically voiced the constant teachings
of the church on the subject of respect and
obedience to authority. With us it is not a
mere matter of choice or sentiment but a
duty OF rigid precept to the support of law
fully constituted authority, both in Church
and State, no matter in whom it may be vest
cd aud in vain shalt we look for true and solid
prosperity among nations, for tranquility
and order among the people. and frmness of
power in tho,e who hold authority, if the
duty of hoaor aud obed ;ence. both to the
persons ard the officers OF rulers, is wan
tonly desp;sed and ..oleted as it is 50 often
in these degene a. dNys o. ours To show
our abomination, there ro1e, of The widely
spreading spiiit o. independence and insub-
ordiua' on, and 10 COME acc its baleiul in
huerce, we must keep ourselves and our
people in close union a1d Ie3pecarl SYM
pa. Wv Will Uf CutelIUt Lutet tOr
as well as exte ,ior obedience to those wro
exercise it as the representative OF God in
tle civil government or in the church. We
must remember the words of st. Paul az
diligently apply them to ourselves and ca
res " enjoin them on those whom God has
intrusted TO our care.
"Let every soul be subiact to the higher
powers, for there is no power but from
God and those that are ordained of God.
Therefore, he that resisteth the power. re-
sisteth the ordinance of God, ard they that
resist purchase to themselves damnatiOn.
Wherefore be subject of necessity not Only
for wrath, but also for conscience's sake. -
Rom xiii
And that your people may be the better
instructed on this practical and essential
duty, you viii, on some Sunday of your
own selection, read the Pope's Encyclical,
or portion of it, to them, or preach a ser
mon on authority or obedience, based on the
principles which the holy Father so foicibly
explains. Furthermore, as devort prayer
for those in power is one of the purest acts
of charity, we can exercise in their behalf,
and at the time one of the best means OF
fostering in ourselves the spirit of reverence
and obedience, so we must not be unmind-
full of OR superiors in our supplications to
Almighty God. Until further notice, there
fore, you will say either before or after the
late mass on Sunday, and in union with your
congregation Bishop CarrolIs prayer for the
spiritual and temporal authorities.
AS to the late wicked attempt upon the
life of the President of the United States,
we have already expressed our detestation
of it, and earnestly implored God that it
may not have fatal termination. Until a
few days ago we were encouraged to hope
that the dark designs of the assassin would
happily be frustrated, but later develop
ments excite our gravest fears. Therefore,
in saying that portion of the prescrsbed
prayer which concerns the President, you
VII modify it to suit the condition of his
case and pray especially for his speedy re-
covery. Should the present unfavorable
condition continue, you will also say in
your masses the prayer, Pro qeocumque
necscsitats, whenever permitted by the
rubrics. Should it be Gods Will to spare
the lie of the President, we will in due
time give public expression of our Joy
and gratitude. Should it not be his will,
you will, in some fitting way, express your
own and your peoples sorrow, and offer
prayers for the welfare of the country
JOHN A. WATTERsoN,
BishoD of Columbus