The Evening critic., 1882-04-24
THE CINCINNATI PASTORAL.
letter From bishop ChatHrd Defend
inn and ENptaufuE rt.


Bishop Francis sllas Chatard, OF the Catho-
lie Diocese of vlncennes, Indiana, has written
letter defending and explaining tho "Cln-
cinnati Pastoral, n publication which has
excited considerable comment He says:
The Cincinnati Pastoral has called forth
n great amount of criticism, not little OF
which, do not doubt, comes from honest lovo
OF country, but at tho same timo from want OF
thorough understanding of what Is criticised.
What is intended to be a crushing caricature,
not destitute Of artistic merit, adorned tho
pages OF Puck on the 18th of April. Tho anil
mus Of this cartoon is OF a piece with tho
criticisms. Both sound note OF warning of
danger to the country. The Pope has tho
bishops In chains; they are doing his bidding,
only look at them trampling on the Declara-
tion of independence. Strange as It may
artists slightly malevoient fancy took that
direction. am glad the bishops arc undor
the control OF the Pope in this matter and
thoroughly as he implies. In 1t see the
safety OF the country, and here Is the reason
why-because the Popo has said, In most
Official utterance for tho whole world, that the
republican form OF government OF tho United
States Is n Just form Of government and no
kingly power nor mob power has right to
overthrow IL. Our form OF government is
just Inheritance from our forefathers, and we
Intend to keep It and, as far as In us lies,
mako all sustain 1t. This tho bishops In con-
cert with the Pope declare, when they make
his words their own, quoting from his encycll-
cal of June 30, 1881. In speaking OF authority
he lays down the scrlptural Idea that all
authority comes from God, and, with regard
TO this, We call attention to the consequence of
teaching that authority belongs to the people.
Disobedience to the people would not be sin
full, as sin is u violation of Gods law
only. Therefore all laws would be but
penal there would be no obligation
Of conscience to obey, and therefore any
one could violate thcm, provided he were In
no danger of being caught What a delightful
state of things, and what door would be
opened to lawlessnessl As things are now, the
teaching the case would bo reversed. Tho
Pope and the bishops teaching that authority
comes from God putan obligation OF conscience
on every citizen to observe the laws Of these
United States.
But the Pope and the bishops at CIncin.
natl 60 further. They say that they who are
to bo set over the republic may, In certain
cases, be chosen by tho Will and the decision
of the people without any opposition or repug-
nance TO Catholic doctrine BY this choice the
ruler is designated, but tho rights OF the gov
ernment are not conferred and power is not
given, but 1t is determined by whom 1t is to
forms of government, for there is no reason
why the rule of one, or several,
should not be approved by the the
tends toward the common good. Accordingly,
Justice being observed, people are not forbid
den to provide themselves with that kind OF
genius or the institutions and customs Of their
| ancestors" We present these words for the
| calm consideration OF all mon who think. So
| far from the Catholic Church seeking to iniure
| our country, she socks to benefit 1t In every
| way by declaring Its form of government a
| Just one, and commanding all Catholics to
| obey 1t under pain OF resisting the ordi-
nance OF God, and therefore God Him
| self. II there be anything In tho De-
claration Of independence that goes against
| this doctrine, thon, IT seems to me, the
| declaration is not as friendly to tho welfare
| of our country as the Catholic Church is. In
other points Of the pastoral the bishops earn
estly seok to guard the rights Of every man
| of President and people, of rich and of poor
| OF high and oflow, of employer and OF employe
| In go doing they dwell on human inequality, q
| fact OF science and Of social life, and on the
| rights OF property. Over all this presides Jus
tice. 1t is Justice that strengthens govern
| ment and raises up people-Proverbs XIV.
8, and XIV, 81. intoxicating the necessity
ofbeing Just TO all men, the Catholic Church
consultsthe well-being OF all our people, who
instead OF melevolently criticising her should
| regard her as their benefactor.
| FRANCIS SILAS CHATARD,
Bishop of Vincennes.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, April IS, 1882.