The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-19
THE POPES TEMPORAL POWER.
Cardinal Taschereau Comforts His Holiness
and the Latter Returns Grateful Thanks.

MONTREAL, March 1S.-A letter bearing
on the temporal power of the Pope was re-
Gently forwarded to his Holiness, signed
by Cardinal Taschereau, the very Rev. l..
ID. A. Marechale, V. g., administrator OF the
archdiocese of Montreal; the very Rev. U.
Routhir, V. g., administrator of the arch
diocese of Ottawa; Mgr. Latieche. of Three
Rivers; Mgr. Rachine, of Sherbrooke; Mgr
MOreau, of st. Hyacinthe; Mgr. Lorrain, OF
Pontiac; Mgr. Gravel, of Nicolet, and Mgr.
Begin. of Chicoutimi. After referring to
the great joy the signers of the letter and
their tiOcks experienced at his HOiInessS
Jubilee. they declare that they are pain.
fully affected by the criminal efforts OF
those who deny the rights of the Holy Sce."
Then the letter states:
In our name, and in the name of the clergy and
of the people contided to our care, We protest
against the injustices committed by the enemies
OF the sovereign Pontiff. They violate the law of
eternal justice they wound the rights of citizens,
they Oppross the rights of the church by the most
iniquitOus of prosecutions, while at the same
time they glOrify themselves as being the friends
of liberty They grant unrestrained liberty TO all
errors and to the worst societies, but they ol-
pose with great fury the Catholic doctrine,
say and publish with impunity all that he pleases
against the rights of the holy Roman Church and
its beloved pastor but Hery heayy penalties sr are
men, but even on the successor OF the prince OF
apostles every time he undertakes to defend or TO
simply make known the undenIable and divine
rights of the church. We adhere with all our
heart to the declarations and protests relative to
the temporal domain of the Holy See which you,
our holy father the sacred college and the 1altl-
ful of the whole world have so often made
They assure his Holiness that incessant
prayers Will be offered up for his protec-
ton and conclude by asking the apostolic
benedictiOn for the clergy and faithful
of both provinces. The following is the re-
ply from the holy father, Pope Leo XII adj
dressed to his Eminen &C, Cardinal e. IL.
Iaschereau, Quebec:
Dear Son-The apostolic ahsolutiOn and bless
ing he on YOU We have received letter filled
with affection and respect for us, as well as with
zeal and pastoral solicitude, which, in concert
with the other prelates of the provinces or Que
bee, Montreal and Ottawa, you have addressed
sanctity and the grandeur of your office, to viz
dcate the liberty and the rights of the apostolic
chair and TO demand an account for the malice
of those men who only seek to lessen the dignity
of the sovereign POntif to cover the Catholic re-
ligiOn with scOrn, and 10 turn away its servants
from their duty by the fear of penalties Iourlet-
ter has caused us the more pleasure, because it
displays an admirable unity of Ofsentimentandeyen
of language and expression with those which we
have received on the same subject from the
bishops of several other countries. This unani-
nous agreement affords us no light consolation.
1t shows us that divine power which unites into
one Sne body all the the parts OF ,einS the
more secure and calculated to conquer the au.
dacity and battle the designs of the enemies of
the church, who desire above all things to create
dissension among the faithful We hope, also,
that this divine union displayed among so many
men of great wisdom and great authority will be
able to influence the minds of good number OF
those who have fed to the camp of the enemy.
or who adhere to it by carelessness or willful
ignorance; and let no man neglect to hear your
advice and your demands. to which we attach
very great Importance, and to that uni
versal law which causes you to pray in
unison with your brothers in the epscOpacy
that God, the sovereign ruler of all things
might render powerless the thoughts of the un-
believing that He might bring their projects to
| naught, and that Hemight spread abroad among
His people the fruits of peace. Possessing ouI
soul in patience, and in the firm hope that divine
| aid will never be wanting to the church, we adj
dress to you our deepest thanks for the devotion
that you bear. and we call down upon you the
I bountifnl gifts of heaven, which will make yor
powerful in the accomplishment of all good. III
token of this gratefulness, and as proof OF the
| value we place in your regard, we bestow upor
you, our dear son. in the name of the Lord, the
| apostolic benediction, and upon the other arch
| bishops and bishops who are joined with you il
| the letter which we have received, as well al
| upon the clergy and the faithful ones
| confded to your care. LEO XIII, Pope.