The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-24
FROM THE POPE.
The Brief Addressed To the American
Bishops Setting Forth the Grant, and
Wishes Of the Holy See.

The Brief Addressed To the American
Bishops Setting Forth the Grant, and
Wishes Of the Holy See.
BALTIMORE, April 23.--The CdtDiic
Mirror tomorrow will publish the fol
lowing brief addressed TO the American
bishops bv Pope Leo Kill, setting forth
the grants and wishes Of the Holy See in
relation 20 the Catholic college at Wash
ingion The earnestness with which you
apply yourselves to the promotion OF
Catholic piety TO promote the interests
your diocese and especially TO supply
safeguards, 10 which provision Is made
for the proper training Of clergymen aud
young laymen and sound doctrine in
every branch Of science, sacred and pro-
fame, gives no cause Of great JOY, where
fore very welcome were your letters sent
to us toward the close OF last year,in which
you state the commenced work OF the
great lyceum or university at W ashlng-
ton which you were promoting, had So
far progressed that all things are now
ready for the teaching of theology this
year, and we accept your university laws
and statutes which you submitted TO our
authority and judgment. In which mat
ter we Judge your purpose most praise
worthy, that you have resolved 10 sei mp
in the centennial year OF establishment
Of the ecclesiastical hierarchy there,
monument and perpetual memorial OF
that most auspiciOus event by founding
the university Therefore, anxious TO
satisfy forthwith your just desires, we in
trusted your university laws brought for
examination and recognition, To the
most eminent cardinals of the Propa-
eanda. that they might give their iudg-
ment concerning them.
Now. their opinions having been laid
before us. gladly granting your request,
we sanction by these latter statutes ana
laws Of your university, and we give to
the same the proper rights of full and
regular university Therefore we grant
mower to your university go
promote students whose knowledge
Shall have been tested 10 academic
degrees. and to the degree OF doctorshlp
in theology, philosophy, and common
law. and in the other sciences, IN which
IL l. customary 10 confer degree ana
doctOrship, when in coming years the
teaching Of them shall have been estab-
li.hed i'm Your university. But we wish
YOU. dearly beloved hrcihr6n, 90 preside
with Jealous care over the direction OF
siudies and the discipline of the students
in your university. either through your
selves or through prelates chosen from
YOU. whom YOU shall have Judged
proficient for this office As the See OF
baltimore H. chief among the Episcopal
sees of the United States of America, 10
the Archbishop of Baltimore and TO his
Successors we grant the privilege ot
discharging The Office OF supreme
moderator or chancellor OF the UNI
yersiiy. Moreover, we de-ire and first
of ali. in the field OF philosophy and
theology the plan of studies or pro-
erammcs of subjects go be followed
apostolic university tO be submitted
for recognition OF this Apostolic See
I'm order that they may he
approved and that the teachings
i'm every branch of knowledge may De
so arranged that your clerics and laymen
equally may have an opportunity to sat
isfy the noble desire OF knowledge by
adequate instruction. But amongst these
courses no wish that there should hc estaD-
lishcd school of pontifical and ecclesi-
astical law. which knowledge especially
i'm these times we know 10 be OF great
importance. We exhort you all, further
more. t0 affiliate 10 your university, semi
naries. colleges and other Catholic seats
of learning. as is suggested ln
The statutes, safeguarding, how
ever the independence of each one
I'm order To derived from the various de-
partments of the great university The
greatest benefits for the greatest mum
ber it is well to admit particularly TO
those schools of theology and philosophy
not only those who should have mn
ished those studies, Rs pointed
ont by the Third Plenary
Council of Baltimore, but also even
those who are still beginning or prose
cutting its courses Of studies Since the
great university not only rebounds TO the
honor Of your country that assures the
ri n and samtary fruit belonging the
propagafion of sound doctrine and
The protection of Catholic pictyi
10 rightly do we trust the undetermined
American faithful will not permit any
thing 20 be wanting 70 you IA order TO
bring the work 10 splendid
completion. The Washington University
being established by the See, We
forbid the founding Of any other such
institution without consulting the Apos.
tolic See. What we have declared and
appointed by these letters we judge will
be a clear proof of our desire and anxiety
10 promote in that region more the glory
and prosperity of the Catholic religion
Given in Rome at 81. Peters OF the
feast of st Thomas, Aquinas, 1889, in
the twelfth year of our roniitcale;
fSignedl LEO XIII.