The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-09-08
ARCHBISHOP GIBBONS.
Pastoral Lettor-Third Plcnnry Council
Called To Meet at baltimore, Novem-
bprD, INXi,

Pastoral Lettcr-Third Plcnnry Council
Called To Meet at baltimore, Noyem-
ber0. 1854.
BALTIMORE, Sept A pastoral letter
from Archbishop Gibbons was read I'm
an the Catholic churches of the arch
diocese to-day, relating to the assem-
ping OF the plonary council in
NoIeihDer. Inc pastoral states
mat our holy iather Leo XII, out OF
ms paternal solicitudo for the welfare of
all the faithful committed to his care
mas desired all bishops of the church i'm
the United States 10 assemble i'm plen-
airy council to consider tho best means
OF promoting the salvation of souls i'm
inns portion OF the Lords vineyard, and
because of inilrm health. His Eminence
'alulnRl Archbishop, who was so well
quhllhed To preside, not only ON account
OF MS nigh office, but also Of the maturc
wisdom and weight of the
merits of his holiness. was plensod
to appoint Us to conVOke by his Amos
tolic authority, the Third Plcnarv Cdun-
en- AZ Baltimore, and preside over the
same rs Apostolic Delegate. We, thcre-
fore, dearly beloved brethren and chill.
uroll now make known To you, that in
witness OF this authority, we have,
ny our letters of date March ~
ct this year, cOnVoked tho third
plenary council TO convene in orr
Metropolitan Church at Baltimore.
Noyem or 9, this year of our Lord 1851.
Eighteen years have now elapsed since
tue last plenaly council was held.
ana we have reason to be dcvotcdlI
thankful TO God for the steady progress
winch religion has made in the lnitcd
states since that period.
II cannot fail To be source of
consolation and benefit to Tho
chief pastors Of the church of
America TO meet again after $50
long an interval To recount their trials.
their hopes and their success I'm thoir rp.
spoctivo fields of labor, To interchange
views, To enlightcn each by mutual
counsel ana to dorivo that strength and
confluence which result from
unison OF earnest men engaged
IN the same holy mission.
Every state aud Diocese of tho
Union will he represented pt
the approaching council hy
Irelatcs and Priests, and although
lhey are descended from divers nations
ANA speak every European tongue. thpy
are all united 10y bonds of common
Rith and animated by a spirit Of rratcr-
nal charity.
The object for which the council il
Sunlmonod, as You are well aware, is not
TO formulate new dogmHs of fifth, Tor
the only doctrine we preach now is the
iOlth once delivered to the saints. nor
viii our deliberations have ANYTHING of
political Significance TO redress.
no political aspirations To crafty. The
church OF God has no direct relations
with politicsi political intriguos form no
part OF her divine mission.
Tho Kingdom of Christ and his
church Is not of this world. She renders
To Cesar the things that are Cmsars. and
To God the things that are Gods, Tho
enactment of salutary laws tor tho pro.
motion of plety and sound morals
the correction Of abuses, the establish,
ment, 40 far rs practicable, of urcatcr
uniformity IN ecclesiastical disrip.
line. Tho development of the
CHRISTIAN commonwealth, the quicken.
ing aud strengthening of the bonds of
charity, which should bind us nil. ms
members of the Christian family, Ia o,r
God and each other. These are the sig.
nal blessings to which We aim, i'm M
sombling together
May the Supreme I.ngi slator. tho
source of all Light, hc tho sole sur.
gester and guide of all our iudre-
ments, ~ that we may In no wise
stray from the path of equity. Nav wc
40 temper Justice with charity, thai onr
decisions may hc approved by Him Inv
whom Kings reign and lawgiyers dc.
cree just things,