The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-25
wAsHINaroN's CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Address to the American Bishops by
Pope Leo XIII.

Pope Leo XIII.
BALTIMORE, Nd, April 24-The Catholic
Mirror today publishes the following brief
address to the American bishops by
Pope Leo Kill, setting forth the grants
and wishes of the Holy See in relation to
the Catholic College at Washington;
The earnestness with which you apply
yourself to the preservation. OF Catholic
piety, to promote the interests OF your
dioceses and especially to supply safe
guards by which provision is made for the
proper training Of clergymen and young
laymen in sound doctrine in every branch
Of science, sacred and proiane, gives us
cause or great joy therefore very welcome
were your letters sent to us toward
the close Of last year, in
which. you state that the commenced
work OF the great Lyceum or University at
Washington. which YOU were promoting.
had so far progressed that all things are
ready for the teaching Of theology this
year, and we joyously accept your uni
versity law and statutes, which you sub
mitted TO our authority and Judgment. In
NhiNh We yuhkS gOut ihOob
praiseworthy, that you have resolved TO
set up in the centennial year OF
the establishment OF the ecclesiastical
hierarchy there monument and perpet-
ual memorial OF that suspicious event by
founding the university. Therefore anx-
ious to satisfy forthwith your Just desires
we intrusted your university laws brought
for examination and recognition TO the
most eminent cardinals OF the Propaganda
that they might give us their judgment
concerning them. Now their opinions
having been laid before us gladly granting
your request, we sanction by these letters
the statutes and laws of your university,
and we give to the same the proper rights
OF a full and regular university. There
| fore we grant power TO your university, to
promote students whose knowledge shall
have been tested to academic degrees and
| 10 the degree OF doctorship in theology,
philosophy and canon law, and in other
sciences in which IL is customary 10 confer
degrees and doclorships when, in coming
years, the teaching OF them shall have
been established in your University.
But we wish you. dearly beloved
brethren, to preside with jealous care over
the direction OF studies and the discipline
of the students in your university, either
| through yourselves or through prelates
chosen from you shall have judged pro-
ficient for these offices. The See
| OF Baltimore is the chief among the
| Episcopal Sees OF the United States.
To the Archbishop Of Baltimore aud his
successors we grant the privilege of dis
charging the office OF Supreme Moderator
or Chancellor OF the University. More
over, we desire, and, first OF all. in the
field OF philosophy and theology, the plan
OF studies or program Of subjects TO be
followed in your university TO be submit
ted to this Apostolic See in order that they
may be approved, and that the
teaching in every branch OF knowl'
edge may be so arranged that YOU
clerics and laymen equally may have
an opportunity to satisfy the noble desire
of knowledge by adequate instruction,
But among these courses We wish that
there be established q school OF pontiiica
and ecclesiastical law, which knowledge
especially in these times, We know 10 be o
great importance. WecNhort you all, fur.
thermore, TO affiliate TO your university
seminaries, colleges and other Catholic seat
OF learning rs is suggested In the statutes
safeguarding, however, the independence o
each one. In order TO derive from th,
various departments OF the great univer
sty, the greatest benefits for the creates
number, Il is well to admit particularly e
those schools OF theology aud philosophy
not only those who should have finished
those studies rs pointed ont by the Thir,
Plenary Council Of Baltimore, but also evel
those who are set on beginning or prose
cutting It's course OF studies. Since the grea
university not only rebounds TO the homo
OF your country that assures the rich an
saluiary fruits belonging TO the propaga
ton Of sound doctrine and the protection
OF Catholic piety rightly do We trust tn
noble minded American faithful will nc
permit anything 10 be wanting TO you l
order 10 bring the work TO a splendi
completion. The Washington Uniyorsit
being established by those, our leI
ters, we forbid the founding OF an
/, other such constitution without consultn
the Apostolic See. What We have declare
, and appointed by those letters we judo
will be a clear proof Of our desire and ans
: iety 10 promote In that region more an
more the glory and prosperity Of the Cath
ole religion.
Given In Rome. ut St. Peters, ON III
! feast Of 81. Thomas Aquinas, 1889, in th
$ twelfth year Of our poniiiicate.
| u