Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-17
LETTER FROM GERMANY.
Archbishop Gibbons Receives a Letter from
the Bishops of Germany Addressed
to the Third PIenary Council.

Archbishop Gibbons Receives a Letter from
the Bishops Of Germany Addressed
to the Third PIenary Council.
BALTIMORE, April 17.--The following
letter has been received by Archbishop Glib
bons addressed to the Fathers of the Third
Pienary Council from the Bishops of Ger
many:
The Bishops of Prussia, North Germany, to
the Most Reverend and Right Reverend
Archbishops and Bishops of the United
States of America health and peace in the
Lord:
We are recently in receipt of the much
priced and touching letter which you. vener-
able Brothers in the Picnary Council of Bal
timore assembled, transmitted to us under
date of December d, A. ID. 1884. and with glad
and joyous hearts we have read that most
convincing proof of the earnest fraternal
charity with which you have in spirit been
with us in the ten years nd more OF trial
and persecution undergone by the bishops,
priests and the great body of the faithful
in Prussia. Your words OF Apostolic
charity, thus madeknown to us and our
clergy and faithful. through the columns of
the press. have afforded US great strength
and comfort and increased our confidence
in God. To you. consequently. individually
and collectively. we tender the sincere ac-
acknowledgement of our gratitude for such
bright and striking proof of your charity
and sympathy, and with hearts glowing with
the sentiments you have aroused we glory
In the Lord who, in this our hour of trial,
has not only given to all the faithful OF our
land the opportunity of suffering many fgno-
minies and trials for His namesake
and that of His church. but has
moreover by, the power and wonders
of His grace, amid so many cruel
temptations and sufferings. designed to keep
Bishops, clergy and faithful steadfast in the
unbroken unity of faith, and in firm ad-
hesion and loyal devotion to the Apostolic
See and Christs Vicar on earth. Many and
precious are the fruits unto justice which.
during the continuance of this persecution,
have been gathered in by the patience of the
faithful. and their constancy and earnestncss
church's rights and liberties equally as in
the cultivation of the Christian virtues and
the performance of good works Hence, we
cherish the certain hope that the day
will come when the trials laid upon
us may. with the help of His grace, be
brought to happy issue. But, alas. far of,
As yet, appears the end and our delivery
from afliiction. The chain of the May laws
by which the liberties and rights of the
church are fettered, still binds and gals us.
Semnares and monasteries are suppressed;
thousands of parishes remain desolate, be-
reft of pastors: religious orders and congre-
cations are expelled and eNiled: clerics and
even priests are impressed into military
service; the Archbishop of Prussia Ian
guish in exile. We stand in need. then.
of abundant grace. and. most beloved
brothers, we therefore implOre you to help
us by your mementoes in the daily sacrifice
at the altar. Meanwhile we congratulate
you that in your republic the church re-
joices in the fullness of liberty. Finally we
tender congratulations on the happy result
of your lahors in the Plenary Council.
Written from the place of his exile in the
name and with the consent of all his breth-
ren of the Hierarchy of Prussia, this 10th
Archbishop of Cologne.