The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-28

that ever emanated from the Papal
authority, intended to settle a long
and formidable difficulty by ending
the Kulturkampf. The letter is as
follows:
CARDINAL JACoBINI's LETTER.
FROM THE PALACE OF THE VATIcAS,l
April 4, 1886.
In his last note OF the goth OF last
month, the undersigned, Cardinal,
Secretary of State, gave his Excellency
the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of Prussia to under
stand that as soon as the bill actually
contemplated, together with the
known charges was accepted andspro
mulgated, the bishops should be in
structed TO make known to the Prus-
sian government the names of ecclesi-
astics who are TO be called as parish
priests to discharge the functions of
their ministry in such parishes as
are now vacant.
The note added that ii, as was 10 be
hoped, a religious peace was con-
cluded, this practice OF notifying
might be continued in the future.
This modus procendi manner OF pro-
ceeding) has arisen from the consid-
Grafton that, although the contem-
plated bill, with its last amendment,
does contain fundamental modiica-
tons the Importance of which are
willingly acknowledged, it cannot,
nevertheless, be admitted that re-
ligious peace has been completely re.
stored so long as other dispositions OF
the preceding legislation OF which no
mention is made in the bill as at
present drawn, are allowed TO remain.
For this reason it is thought that the
notifying the government about the
parish rectorships actually vacantYas
an important advance, and that by
such progressive accord we were pre-
pairing the ground for complet re-
ligious peace. Thereby the permanent
authorize ion of these notifications is
placed on a level corresponding with
that condition of perfect order which
the Holy See desires to see established
as soon ss possible. Catholics,
on their side, would not see
with pleasure the Holy See granting
such permanent authorization be ore
they are given TO enjoy the benefit OF
definite religious peace. Hence
great reliance is placed on considera-
tons derived from the very nature OF
the matter in question, and which
found their expression in the preced-
ing documents of the Holy See.
Meanwhile, it has been ascertained
from various sources, and especially
from the last declaration of his excel
lency, Prince b smarck, that the pro-
iected bill, with its last amendments,
would find great difficulty in being
adopted by the majority in Parlia-
ment if the Holy See did not, from
the pre- ent time, authorize permanent
The holy father, inn
pressed by the gravity OF this painful
would propose to the Prus-
sian Government, as means OF di-
the difficulty on both sides,
to complete the present bill by revis-
ing the former dispositions not mem
toned in this bill, so as to afford
ground to hope for complete restora-
ton of religious peace. The rea liza
ton of the proposal would entirely
satisfy the holy father, and would be
received by Catholics with so sincere a
Joy that his holiness could from
this moment concede the permanent
notification. If, nevertheless, under
existing circumsta ces, the revision of
the May laws cannot be accomp ished
in the manner aforesaid, as soon SIS
the undersigned Secretary of State
p, tx.n1 Nhs, 1hnN Nh..,
revision shall be undertaken in the
very near future, the Holy See will
grant the permanent notification in
the sense of the answer given in the
note of March 26th to the third ques-
ton asked by the Prussian Legation
in its note of the same date. As to
this "third question" the Holy See
intends to leave the government free
to fully explain to the DIOCESAN au-
thorities the motives alleged for ex.
the person proposed when
the government believes the defni-
tive nomination of such person to
the position to be irreconcilable with |
public order, because of some fact
known to the government, and |
by it proved to be serious. |
The Prussian government will perceive |
in these last proposals new proof OF |,
the continual anxiety OF the holy |
father to obtain religious peace, as |
we'll as OF his endea or to remove all !
obstacles to the examination of the
means by which such peace may be |
arrived ut. The undersigned Secre-
tary of State has the honor to assure
you, noble sir, of his highest consider
alton. CARDINAL JACoBINI.
Nearly all the parishes in Prussia, |
representing Catholic population of |
nearly l0,000,0O0, have been deprived |
of all regular pastoral administrations
since the real beginning of Prince |
Bismarck's Kulturkampf in 1928.
1t has been long and disastrous
struggle, and no wonder the holy |
father is willing to make great conces-
sions to the government for the pur-
pose of restoring to the Prussian
Catholi their bishops and parochial |
clergy. and providing for the spiritual |
needs and educational wants of gem
Grafton so long neglected and perse-
cuted. 1t is the browning glory of the |
pontifcate of Leo MIL