Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-11-26
THE ENCYcLYCAL
OF Leo Kill. an Exact Reverse of the
Policy of Plus TX.
STAND OF THE CATHOLIC cHURc
As Regards Modern Ciyiization---Popt
Leo Not Opposed to IT,
Liberty.

English, Of Leo XIII encyclycal in tb
christian Constitution Of States, appear
very different in this full form from tn
cable condensation already published. In
stead of eondemnipg in any way moderl
civilization, or States as they exist a
present, he hopes and approves of ell res
progress and true freedom. 1t is in shor
an exact reversal of the policy pursued b,
the late Plus IN, whose encyclycsls inyar
ably condemned modern civilization a
atheistic and pagan. In order to show ,hi
% few extracts will suffice. Ate
oondemning snsrchism and lawlessness
he continues: These then are the thing.
I;aught By the Catholic Church concerning
The constitution and government of tht
State, Concerning these sayings aid do
|;ngs if man will only judge dispassion
4tely, no form CT government is, per Sc
condemned, so long as it has nothing re
|ougnant to the Catholic doctrine and il
able if wisely and Justly managed to pre-
serve the Statein the best condition. There
g no cause that any one should condemn
he church as being too restricted IN gen
leness or inimical to that liberty which
s natural and legitimate. In
ruth the church judges il
not lawful that the various kinds of divine
Worship should have the same right as the
Ireligion, still it does not therefore condemn
those Governors Of the States who for the
sake Of acquiring some great good and
preventing some great i'll patiently bears
With manners and customs, so that each
4ind Of religion has its place in the State.
Indeed, the church is wont diligently tc
take heed that no one be compelled
against bis will to embrace the Catholic
faith. For similar reason the
Church cannot approve Of that
liberty which generates contemp,
.. the most sacred laws OF God and puts
away the obedience due to legitimate power
Tor this license rather than liberty. On the
other hand that liberty is natural aud to be
sought which, if it be considered in relation
10 the individual suffers not men to be the
slaves OF errors, and evil desires the worst
of masters. If in relation to the State il
presides wisely over the citizens, serves
he faculty by aUgmenting public advant-
Iges and defends the public interest from
l lien, is not this blameless liberty
worthy Of man. The church
approves above all, and has
never ceased striving and contending
to keep it firm and whole among the peo-
pie In very truth whatever things in the
State chiefly avail for the common safety,
Wha;ever have been the laws instituted
against the license OF princes consulting all
the interests Of the people, whatever forbid
the covering authority to invade into mum
cipal or domestic affairs, whatever avail to
preserve the dignity and the character OF
man in preserving the equal rights Of indi-
gidusl citizens, Of all these things the
monument OF former ages witness
the Catholic church TO have always
been, either the author, the protector
or the guardian. Ever, therefore, consist
ent with herself, If on the one hand she re
iects immediate liberty which both in the
case Of individuals and peoples results iu
license or in servitude on the other hand
she willingly and with pleasure embraces
those happier circumstances which the age
BRINGS if they truly contain the prosperity
of this life which is as il were O stage iD
he Journey to the other which is to endure
everlastingly. Therefore what they say
that the church is Jealous Of the more
modern political systems rupudiate in q
MACS, and whatever the despotlsm Of these
times has brought forth is an inane and
contemptible cslumny.
The madness Of opium it indeed repu-
dates. II reproves the wicked plan OF
edition, and especially, that habit Of mind
which the beginnings Of voluntary de-
parting from God are visible, but since
every true thing must necessarily proceed
from God, whatever OF truth is by search
attained the Church Acknowledges Ger
tain token Of the divine mind, since there
s in the world, nothing which can take
away belief in the doctrine divinely
handed down and many things which con
frm this, and since every finding Of truth
may impel men to knowledge, or praise Of
God himself. Therefore whatever may
happen to extend the range OF knowledge,
The church will always willingly and joy
fully accept, and she will, as is her wont
b the case of other departments Of knowl-
edge, studiously encourage and promote
those also which are concerned with ths
Investigation Of nature in which studies OF
the mind fnds anything new the church is
inot in opposition.