National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-08
TIE pRnLArEs PASTORAL.


Archbishop Gibbons Sollcits tho Prayers Of
the Faithful for the Plenary Council al
baltimore.
In all the Catholic churches in this district
thcro was read yesterday letter, addressed
by james Gibbons, by the Grace of God and
tho Favor Of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of
Baltimore aud Apostolic Delegate" tn the
clergy aud faithful Of the archdiocese Of Bnlti'
more IL rcctcs that "Our Holy Father, Leo
XIII, out Of his patcrnnl solicitude for the wei
fare of all the faithful committed to his care,
has desired all the bishops OF the church IN
the United States to assemble IN plcnary coun-
ell to consider the best means for promoting
the salvation of souls in this portion of our
Lords vineyard" has appointed Archbishop
Gibbons 10 cOnvoke, by his apostolic authority,
the third plenary council of Baltimore, and to
preside over II rs apostolic delegate. Ills cmi.
ncnce, the cardinal archbishop of New York,
being IN lnnrm health, Archbishop Gibbons
was selected to preside,
"Wc therefore, dearly beloved brethren and
Children the letter continues, nov make
known TO you that in virtue Of this Hhihnriiyi
we have by our letters of dato March -, Of
this year, cpuyokcd the third rlennry council
to convene IN our Metropolitan church, Nt Bal.
timntc, on the 9TH day of November, In ills
year Of our Lord, lSsl
last plCnary council was held, and we have
reason to he devoully thankiul TO tod for the
steady progress which religion has made since
tnni period II cnuuot fail TO be q source ur
consolation and benefit to the chief pastors of
the church OF America to meet again amer so
| long an Interval, To racOunt their trials, their
hopes, and their success In their respective
fields OF labor; to interchange Views, To on
| tighten one another by mutual counsel nnd 10
! derive that strength and confidence which re,
| suit from the reunion of earnest men engaged
| In the same holy mission
| "lhe steady expansion OF the hcirnrchy aud
| uf the faithful during the last two decades OF
! years naturally calls for the enactment of spe-
] cnl statutes To meet the eSigcncies OF the
| times, and our gradual transition rom mis-
siOnury state to the fixed or normal condition
! Of the church demands an adjustment OF lcgis-
lntiOn more suitable to our improved situation;
Every state and diocese OF the union VIII
| he represented at the approaching council by
| nrclAtcs and priests, aud, although they arc
| dcccndCd from divers nations and speak every
| European tongue, they are all united by the
| bonds of common faith, and animated by
the spirit OF frnternal charity having one
| Lord, one faith. one baptism, one God ana
Fahcro of all CEphesans, ivy: To them may
be truly applied the words OF the Psalmist !:
| Behold, how good and how pleasant thing
i Is for brethren TO dwell together In unity
| psalm CXXNiD.
The object for which this council is sum-
noned as you are well aware, IS NOT 10 iornu,
we preach TO you is the faith once delivered
to the saints Judges l, -, Nor will our de
llbcrations have any political Significance,
since we have no political grievances to re-
dress nor political aspirations to crafty. The
church of God has no direct relations with
politics; political intrigues form no part OF her
divine mission; the kingdom of Christ and OF
His church is not OF this world, John,
xyiiD She renders TO Cesar the things that
are Cgsar's, and to God the things that are
Gods (Matthew, xXiD.
THE enactment of salutary laws for the pro-
| motion pi ptpty and sound morals. the cor
reCtlon of abuses, the establishment, as FAR as
practicable, of greater uniformity IN eccIe-
slastical discipline the development OF the
Christian commonwealth, the qnckcning ana
strengthening of the bonds of charity which
should bind us all as members of the Christian
family, to our God, and to each other-thcso
are the signal blessing ut which we aim in as
scmbling together.
"You know, brcthern of the laity, that by
our ordination us priests, and conservation as
bishops we are irrcvUcnbly dedicated 10 your
| service Whether we preach the word, or al
minister the sacraments, or celebrate the
sacred mysteries, or erect temples of worship
1t is for your sake that these labors are accom-
plshcd. Our Lord gave some to be apostles
and some prophets, and some evangclists, and
others pastor aud doctors, for the periecting ol
the saints, for the work of the ministry for the
building up Of the body of Christ. (Ephesiai
III we meet in council our object Is to make
you more upright citizens by becoming holiel
Christians; for righteousness cNalteth II ma
tion, but sin makcth nations miserable
I'VE have all, both clergy and people, beer
redeemed by the same blood of Jesus Chri1
We are all in the same bark Of Peter, and are
! steering for the same eternal shores; we nave
| all the hope of the same heavenly inheritance
As our spiritual interests are the same, y
should we be actuated by the same zeal 10
the advancement of religion.
I'VE, therefore, rely on your generous co
, operation and invoke your 5ious interest II
the successful issue of the council. We ar
sure, brethren and children OF the laity, that
| following the traditions of your fathers, yOl
viii lOyfully welcome and Hospitality enter
tain the prelates and clergy who Will I've you
honored guests during the council, and tina
you will emulate in this regard The veneratioi
of the primitive Christians of whom tn
of God, even MS Christ Jesus Gal, iy)
S 1--WE beseech you especially, brethren
: through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by Tn
charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help lis b
your prayers for us TO Cod (Romans XIV.
I Praying ut all times in the spirit
, | that speech may be given us that we may ope
!. our mouth with confidence TO make know
the mystery of the Gospel, for which we ar
= ambassadors (Ephesians viz Pray that Go
may enlightcn the minds, purify the heart
: and direct the Will ofthc assembled prelate
that all our acts may contribute TO His glor!
the propagation of His church, and the sanct
n icatlOn of its members. May our legislatio
Q tend to the stability Of the commonwealth an
the maintenance the peace aud tranquillit
| VI phl utlpNth Mhs AhN hhP's'i
=, Legislator, the source of ali light, be the sol
n suggestOr and guide of our judgments, 50 Thu
l. We may in nOwisO stray from the path OF eqult!
May we so temper justice with charity IN,
: our decisions may be approved of Him b
whom kings reign and lawgiyers decree Ju
n things QProverbs Slv.l
With the view of obtaining tho divine ligl
o by union of prayer, we deem ii advisable
j. ordain and promulgate the following eNercis
O Of devotion for this archdiocese:
l. The collect "De Spiritu Sancto" will
added in the mass by the priests of the arc
l. diocese henceiorth till the close of the counc
:, .. All the religious communities of bot
II sexes will recite daily the hymn of the Ho
70 Ghost, "Veni Creator Spiritus,"
r, 3, The Litnny Of the Saints will be public
recited In the parish churches either belo
=. or after the high mass, on every Sunday Il
" the first Sunday of November, inclusive.
d This pastoral letter will be read In all u
,r churches Of the archdiocese on the Sunday d
=, ter Its reception.
Disease Bearing Rags.