Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-19
LETTER FROM LEO XIII
TO THB CLERGY OF CANADA CONCERNING
HIS TEMPORAL POWER.
He Says That It is Proper to Demand sn Account ior
is Malice Of Those Men Who Seek 10
Lessen the Dignity Of The Sow
ersgn Pontf

MONTREAL, March ls.-A letter, hear
ing on the temporal power Of the Pope,
was recently forwarded to him by the
clergy of Canada 1t was sigred by Car
dinal Taschereau, the Very Rev. l. D. A.
Marechale, V. G., administrator Of the
archdiocese of Montreal; the Very Rev.
o. Routhier, V. c., administrator OF the
archdiocese OF Ottawa; Mgr Laheche, of
Three Rivers; Mgr. Racine, OF Sherbrooke;
Mgr Moreau, of St. Hyacinthe; Mgr. Lor-
Iaine, of Pontiac; Mgr. Gravel, OF Nicolet,
and Mgr. Begin, Of Chicoutimini.
After referring TO the great joy the sign
ers Of the letter and their hocks expert
enced at his Holiness Jubilee, they declare
that they are painfully affected by the
criminal efforts Of those who deny the
rights of the Holy See" Then the letter
states:
I'm our name, and in the name of the
clergy and Of the people confded TO our
care, we protest against the iDjnstices COM
mitted by the enemies of the sovereign
pOntiff. They violate the law OF eternal
justice; they wound the rights Of citizens;
they oppress the rights Of the church by
the most iniquitous OF persecutions, while
at the same time they giorify Themselves
with being the friends of liberty. They
grant unrestrained liberty to al errors and
to the worst societies, bu they oppose
with great fury the Catholic doctrine, re-
ligious bodies and Holy See. Any one
may say and publish with impunity ell
that he pleases against the rights
: of the Holy Roman Church
and its beloved pastor, but very
p heavy penalties are imposed, not only On
Catholic laymen and clergymen, but even
on the successor Of the Prince OF Apostles,
every time he undertakes 10 defend or TO
simply make known the undenable and
divine rights OF the Church. We adhere
with all our heart TO the declarations snd
protests relative TO the temporal domain OF
the Holy See, which you, our Holy Faith
er, the Sacred College and the faithful of
the whole world have so often made
They assure His Holiness that incessant
prayers will be offered up for his protec-
tion, and conclude by asking the Apostol-
ical benedictiOn for the clergy and faithful
of both Provinces.
The following is the reply from the Holy
Father, Pope Leo MIL addressed 10 his
Eminence Cardinal +. H. Tashchereiu,
Quebec:
DEAR Son: The Apostolic absolntion
and blessing be on you. We have received
letter filed with affection and respect for
us as well as with zeal and pastoral sohci
tude which, in concert with the other
prelates of the Provinces Of Quebec, Mon
treal aud Ottawa, you have addressed o.
u.s. 1t is extremely proper, IN virtue OF
the sanctity aud grandeur Of Your Office,
to viudicate the liberty and the ighie of
the Apostolic chair, eud to demand ana
account for the malice oi those men who
only seek TO lessen the dignity of the SOW
ereign pOntifl to cover the Catholic re-
ligion with scorn, and 20 turn its servants
from their duty by the fear Of penalties.
"YOur letter has caused us the mote
: p4etsura, urceure ~ uifrityA hn h0inifinll
unity of sentiment, and even OF language
and expression, with those which we have
received on the same subject from the
Bishops of several other countries. The
unanimous agreement affords us no lignt
consolation. 10 shows Us that Divine
power which unites into one body at the
parts of the flock of our land, nothing be
ing more secure and more calculated to
conquer the audacity and bsiile the de-
signs of the enemies Of the church, who
desire above all things to create dissentions
among the faithful.
owe hope also that this divine union,
displayed among so many men OF great
wisdom and great authority, will be able
TO influence the mind Of coed number OF
those who have led TO the camp of the
enemy, or who adhere TO IL by careless
ness or willful ignorance; and let not men
neglect TO hear your advice and your de-
mands. TO which we attach very great i'm
portance, and that universal zaal which
causes you TO pray in unison with your
brothers IN the episcopacy that God, the
sOverein ruler of all things, might render
powerlees the thoughts OF the unbelieying
that ne might bring their projects 20
naught, and that he spread abroad among
his people the fruits Of peace
Possessing our soul in patience, and IN
the firm hope that Divine aid will never be-
wanting 10 the Church, we address TO you
our deepest thanks for the devotion that
YOU bear, ard we call down upon you the
bountiful gifts of Heaven which will make
you powerful in the accomplishment Of at
good. In token of this grateiulness, and
as proof of the value we place in your re
gard, we bestow upon you, our dear SOD in
the name Of the l. rj, the Apostolic bene-
dictioD, and upon the other archbshop'
and bishops who are jOiued with you in
the letter which we have received, az well
as upon the Clergy and the faithful ores
cOnfded to your care.
LEO Kill, Pope.