Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-16
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsr ArcH.I

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsPArcH.1
NEW YORK. February 15.-This letter,
written in Latin, has been received by the
Pope from the Bishops of the United States,
in whose behalf it was signed by Cardinal
Gibbons, and dated January Il. 1t has
been sent back to this country by the Roman
correspondent of the Catholic Ne,cs
MOST HOLY FATHER: Nature has impressed
upon the souls of all good sons to cheerfully
join for the protection and encouragement of
the father, should he be in distress and a sor-
row and grief burden him. This may also be
required Of us in your present situation We
are well aware that you have not only fallen
into the hands OF the ungodly, but that you are
completely in their power, and under their
domination, thus making your daily life one of
ignominy, of grief and of oppression. Hence it
will not seem strange that, with the soul
alert, full Of zeal, and tearful1y we are deplor-
ing your sad condition; for we are your sons
and bishops, and, as such, subordinate to the
general head. Whenever the head suffers, the
whole body suffers the same pain.
1t being, however, not possible to release our
father from his sorrow and his distress, we may
at least indicate through this letter that we are
sincerely sympathizing with Your Holiness,
and will, in ardent prayer, impIore God, the
HATE FOR VICTOR EMMANUEL.
When, Is years ago, we learned that your
princely city had been taken by the wicked
army of an ambitious King, we, in common
with our priests and our people, heartily de-
plored and abhorred this great sacrilege, so
much more so, indeed, because this sacrilege
was not committed by worshipers of idols or
hetordox persons, but by king who still want
ed to boast of his Catholic name, though, de-
liberately and designedly. he most cruelty de-
stroyed your faithful army. Mindful of our
duty, we have, in print and verbally, before
Catholics and non-Catholics in sight of the
whole world publicly and frankly denounced
and condemned this sacrilege.
But, Most Holy Father, your enemies were
not contented with the victory achieved by
violence and deceit, thus conquering your city
and your principalities and putting your people
in the most abject bondage. They endeavored
to taint and corrupt your people by bad laws,
irreligious and immoral institutions, and evil
examples. There is to be noted a constant ex-
tension of their fury, their threats. and their
hatred in the persecution of Christ's Vicar the
Catholic religion, and the faithful These
wicked people, in their insolence, are acting in
q manner that would justify the supposition
that their aim was to set aside Gods authority
power of Satan, who, according to st. Paul,
ruled it before Christ appeared.
LIFE CONSTANTLY EMBITTERED.
Thus it has come to pass that we observe
daily how, after they have taken you, the
delegate of Christ prisoner, they-as the Jews
did to Him--constantly embitter your life with
indignity and disgrace, grief and sorrow, gall
and wormwood, cruelty tormenting and placing
the cross heavily upon you. And to have you
follow perfectly the footsteps of your Lord
and Master, there are not wanting the Pilates
and Herods, who, devoid of all justice, piety
and religion, robbed you Of your liberty and
delivered you into the hands Of your enemies.
vithout-from motive Of cowardiee or fear
raising hand for the protection of you or the
church. They make the poor excuse that
destiny has been adverse, or the times unfavor-
able, and go so far that they make complaints
directed against such insolence, saerlleges and
attacks punishable by fine and Imprisonment,
thus prohibiting the defense of the church by
spoken or written word.
1t is certainly carrying punishment to excess
when, having placed people in cruel bondage,
their Just complaints are made an additional
offense, and they are threatened with other
torments should they dare to deplore their sad
condition. WHAT may be the aim and purpose
of such persecution? That wicked law is not
only directed against the sacred rights Of your
defenders, it assails even your sacred per-
son. This purpose was undoubtedly kept in
view when this ungodly law was made. The
intention is to deprive you fSr & the future OF al
Italy, but throughout the world. Thus AFRO
gantly the government Of the church insti-
tuted by Christ Is sought to be destroyed and
His promise nullified.
THE CHURCH DEMANDS LIBERTY.
The mission of the church demands liberty.
This liberty is above all, required by the head
of the church in administering his holy office.
The body is powerless when separated from the
head. For the protection of the freedom Of
our supreme ruler we are continually ready to
make the greatest sacrifices; for this liberty is
the main part of the heavenly inheritance
brought down upon the earth by the Lord him
self and left to us, His sons. 1t will therefore.
not appear strange to anyone that we hold
this liberty, as becomes rs, in higher esteem
than anything else, as valuable, indeed, as life
ITSELF
Thus, be of good cheer, Leo; you the most
supreme and best of high priests. Remember
the prophecies Of the Royal Psalmist which
will comfort you and all truly good The
Psalmist well said that the Lord will rise and
Judge your cause and scatter your enemies.
He viii rise and cover your adyersaries with
eternal disgrace. He will arise and protect His
Zion which the wicked imagined they had cap
tured We, your sons, trust IN these prophe-
cies of the Holy Book and the promises of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and will pray, increasingly
and ardenrly. that the time viii soon come when
you can governt he churchwith complete liberty.
and when you will change the wolves iuto
lambs and make them members of your flock.
xo,r Faot huu1h hIv i'm, r,loro tho uoa-