Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-24
A PLENARY COUNCIL LETTER.
Expressions. of sympathy with the sUtfeI
- E,ar,nan Priesthood.

Fxpre.sions. of sympathy with the surfer
ing German Priesthood.
B,LTrNoRE, January 23.-The following
letter issued by the Plcnary Council recent
" in session in Baltimoae, has just been
made public. The letter has been kept
secret until all danger of the original being
stopped by the German Government in
transmission had passed. Its publication
mas already been prohibited in Germany.
1t is as follows:
To themost revereued and most esteemed
Archbishops and Bishops of North Ger
MANY, the Archbishops and Bishops of the
United States send greeting and praise, and
love and honor.
What we have felt singly, scattered as we
are over this broad land, during the last
decennium toward you, in the very depths
of our soul we wish now, assembled in the
Third Pleuary Council of Baltimore, to de-
clare aloud.
Your meritorious suferings, wherein
YOU endure a great fight" have filled US
with grief and sympathy; but your stead
fast patience by which you were made
spectacle to the world and to angels and to
men, inspired us with no less Joy and admit
ration. You were ready to become martyrs
of Christ; you have become in reality con-
fessors of the faith; for with unconquerable
courage you have borne all the
iniustices that were inflicted on your
selves and your beloved focks-
calumnies and threats, robbery and persecu-
ton, Imprisonment and exile. In truth
your sound has gone forth into all the earth
and your words unto the ends of the world.
And these words were words of grief and
complaint at the unreasonable trespasses
against the rights of the church-the sacri-
legious proclamation Of the Temples snatched
| from the true worship of God, the
closing of schools, colleges seminaries
and other institutions of Christian
charity. the banishment of reEg-
ious and the Imprisonment of the clergy;
the unavailing demands Of the faithful for
the word of God even at the hour of death; /;
words of strength and cheertulness for
everywhere and always, before the Kings
and Princes and people OF the earth, you
have courageously defended the rights and
privileges of the church, quaiing before no
one and nothing, and yielding only to brute
force.
Thus your splendid words and examples
have from the beginning ot the painful
struggle produced the most salutary fruits
for to them is chiefly due that admirable
fidelity to your Rocks and that inyincibie
steadfastness of your priests. Had even one
of YOU allowed himself to be ensnared by the
wites and Seductions Of your enemies, or ter
ri6ed BY their threats and deeds Of violence,
what a 10Y 1t would have been to your op.
ponents, what sorrow to the children Of
faith. But on the contrary, you have de-
feated the aims Of the enemy, and shown to
the world as clear justice and that the
Church of Chriet is the most seid basis Of
worldly power and the safest bresstwork oi
civil society,"
Permit as, honored brethren, the glory
and the model Of the episcopater worthy
Successors of Clemans, August and Marti
nus, TO weep with you in your sorrows and
rejoice with you in your joys.
At no time in this decennium have you
been without Joy, but now it seems at last
that your sorrow shall be turned into Joy
Many Of your churches, robbed OF their
shepherds. have chAnlel the mourning
robes of their womaHhood for the bright
wedding garment. Two Of your number
from the obscurity Of bsnishmen
have returned again to the cieal
light of day and of love. Those o.
YOU whom the precious death OF the
saints have not vet admitted to the vision
of the Lord, and who are not kept away by
a glorious exile, have gathered around the
grave of the Immortal apostle OF Germany
who himself, il is true, was martyred will
the gospel in his hand, but who can neyeI
be conquered in his followers. Your in
yincible 6rmnesS has shown clearly onc'
more that the church oppressed IS th'
church victorious: that il would be easier L
extinguish the sun than to destroy th'
church
NAV your 10Y soon be perfect May th'
mighty ones Of the earth, overcome BY you
stvadfastness and guided by better advisers
recall entirely those most unfortunate law
which were the cause of your conflict an'
the fountain Of your sorrows May tn
priests and the people continue to hea
your voice, to follow your counsel to iml
tate ysur example, so that at last perfeC
peace and perfect freedom be restored I
, your church. May it be granted I
, you for many years to come
, before the priceless crown of Heavenl
, ioy is set upon your heads, to rule you
, focks with that liberty wherewith Christ ha
made us free; so that We are not the CHI
dren Of the bondwomAn, but Of the free
with that freedom which we here enjoy I
the great advantage and blessing OF tn
!. State, not less than Of the Church, PeaC
a be to you.
Be pleased then, honored brethren, to o
. |. cept this testimony Of our love and admir-
: ton which springs from our very hearts.
JAMES GIBsoSs,
: Archbishop of Baltimore. Apostolic Del
: gate.
e REMENBER complete cure for ache
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