The Helena independent., 1889-04-24
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.
The Pope Gives HIS sanction TO the Rules
Governing the Institution.

The Pope Gives His sanction to the Rules
Governing the Institution.
BALTIMORE, April 2S.-The Catholic
Mirror tomorrow will publish the follow
ing brief address 10 the American bishops,
by Pope Leo XIII. setting forth the grant
and wishes OF the Holy See In relation TO
the Catholic college at Washington: "The
earnestness with which you apply your
selves 20 tho preservation OF Catholic piety,
to promote the interests of your diocese
and especially to supply the safeguards by
which provision is made for the proper
training OF clergymen and young laymen
IN sound doctrine In every branch OF sci
ence, sacred and profane, gives us cause OF
great Joy. Therefore, very welcome were
last year, In which you stated that you had
commenced work on the great ly-
ceum or university at Washington.
which you were promoting, and that
II has so far progressed that
all things are now ready for teaching
theology; and we joyously accepted, your
nnlye,.i,y laws ,sos,, and statutes which you
In which matter we JUDGE your purpose is
most praiseworthy and /. - you have re-
solved ~ set up In the centennial year OF
the establishment Of the ecclesiastical heir
archy there, a monument and perpetual
memorial Of that auspicious event by
founding a university; therefore, anxious
| TO satisfy forthwith your Just desires, we
entrusted your university laws, brought for
examination and recognition, TO the most
eminent cardinals OF the propaganda, that
they might give their Judgment concerning
them. Now, their opinions having been
laid before US, gladly granting your re-
quest we sanction BY these letters
the statutes and laws OF your
university, TO promote students whose
knowledge shall be contested 10 academic
degrees, and t0 the degree of doctorship In
theology, philosophy and canon law, and
In other sciences, In which IL Is customary
TO confer degrees Of d0ctorship. when, In
coming years, the teaching OF them shall
have been established In your university.
TO preside with jealous care over the direc-
ti0n OF the studies and discipline OF the
students In your university, either through
yourselves or through prelates chosen
from you, whom you shall have Judged
proficient for this Office. AS the acc OF Bal
tinore Is the chief among the Epls-
c0pal sees OF the United States of
North America, 10 the archbishop
Of Baltimore and his successors we grant
the privilege OF discharglng the Office OF
supreme moderator or chancellor OF the
university; moreover, we desire, and first
OF all In the field 0f philosophy and theol-
| ogy, the plan Of studies or programme Of
| subjects 10 be submitted 10 this apostolic
see, In order that they may be approved
and that the teachings OF every branch of
knowledge may be 30 arranged that your
clerics and laymen equally may have an
opportunity 10 satisfy the noble
desire of knowledge by adequate IN.
| structions; but among these courses we
wish there to be- established q school Of
poDtlhc and ecclesiastical law, which es-
pecially we know 10 be OF great importance.
We exhort you all, furthermore. 10 af late
10 your university seminaries, colleges and
| other Catholic seats OF learning, as is sug-
gented In the statutes, guarding, however,
the independence OF each one, In order TO
derive from the various departments OF q
great university the greatest benefit for the
greatest number. IL Is well 20 admit par
ticularly 10 those schools OF theology and
philosophy not only those who
should have finished those studies
| as pointed out by the third plenary council
Of Baltimore, but 40 even those who are set
| on beginning or prosecuting Its courses OF
studies. Since this great university not
only rebounds 10 the honor OF your c0un-
belonging To the propagation Of sound
doctrine and the protection Of
Catholic pie'y, rightly do we trust
the undetermined Americans will not
permit anything 10 be wanting
10 you In order 10 bring the work 10 a
splendid completion. The Washington
university being established by these, our
letter, we forbid the founding OF any other
such Institution without consulting the
apostolic see and what we have declared
and appointed by these letters, we Judge
will be clear proof OF our desire and anx-
Iety 10 promote In that region more and
more the glory OF our Catholic religion.