The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-19
A PAPAL BLESSING
Extended to Devoted Canadian Blsh.
ops by Leo XIII.

Extended to Devoted Canadian Blsh.
ops by Leo XIII.
NEW YoRK, March lS.-A Montreal
special says: A letter bearing on the tenn
poml power of the Pope was recently
forwarded to his holiness, signed by Card
inal Taschereau, the Very Rev. l.. ID. A.
Marechale, V. g., administrator of the
archdiocese of Montreal; the Very Rev.
o. Routhier, V. g., administrator OF the
archdiocese of Ottawa; Mgr Lancche of
Three Rivers, Mrg Racine OF Sherbrooke,
Mgr. Mereau of st. Hyacinthe, Mgr.
Lorraine, OF Pontiac, Mgr. Gravel OF
Nlcolet and Mgr. Begin OF Chicoutimi.
Alter referring TO the great JOY the sign
ers and their ilocks experienced 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: "Tn our name
and the name OF the clergy, and Of the
people coniided TO our care, we protest
against the injustices committed by the
enemies of the Sovereign Pontiif They
violate the law OF eternal Justice. they
wound the rights Of citizens, they oppress
the rights Of the church by the most ini-
quitious OF prosecutions, while at the same
time they glorify themselves with being
the friends OF liberty.
They grant unrestrained liberty 10 all
errors and 10 the worst societies, but they
oppose with great fury the Catholic doc
trine, religious bodies aud the holy see.
Anyone may say and publish what he
pleases about the rights OF the holy Roman
Church and its beloved pastor. but very
heavy penalties are imposed, and not.onlv
Catholic laymen and clergymcn, but even
on the successor OF the prince OF the
apostles, every time he undertakes to do
iend or TO simply make known the undo-
niable and divine rights OF the church.
1--WE adhere with all our heart TO the
declarations aud protests relative 10 the
temporal domain OF the holy see, which
you, our holy father, the sacred college
and the faithful OF the whole world, have
80 often made"
They assure His Holiness that incessant
prayers will be offered up for his protcc.
ton, and conclude by asking the apostolic
benediction Tor the clergy and faithful OF
both provinces.
The following is the reply Of the Holy
Father, Pope Leo MIL, addressed 10 his
eminence Cardinal 4. II. I,schcrcau,
Quebec:
Dear Son-Thc apostolic absoluli1n and
blessing be upon YOU. We have received
a letter filled with affection and respect
for us, rs well ~ with zeal aud pastoral
solicitude which. IN concert with the other
preiates OF the provinces OF Quebec, Mon
trcal aud Ottawa, you have addressed 90
us. II IL extremely proper, In virtue OF
the sanctity and tile grandeur Of your Of
tice, 10 vindicaie the liberty and tights oi
the apostolic chair and toslcmand Hn uc-
count for the malice OF those men who
only seek TO lessen the dignity OF the SOW
creign pontiil 20 cover the Catholic tcli.
gion with scon and TO turn away lis SER
wants from their duty 10y the fear OF pen
altics. Your letter has caused us the
morc pleasure because Il displays m adj
mirable unity of sentiment and even OF
language and expression with those which
we have received on the same FubiCct
from the Bishops Of several other countries.
The unanimous agreement affords Us no
light consolation. Ii shows us that di-
vine power, which unitcs into one body
all the parts OF the flock Of our land, moth.
ing being more secure and more calcu-
lated 10 conquer the audaciiy aud battle
the designs of the enemies OF the church,
who desire above all things 10 create dis
scnsion among the faithful. We hope
also that this divine union displayed
among 10 many men Of great wisdom and
great authority will be able 10 influence
the minds OF n good number of those who
have He'd to the camp OF the enemy, or
who adhere 10 IL 10y carclcssncss or williul
ignorance; and LET no men neglect 10 hear
your advice aud your demands, 10 ghich
we attach very great Importance, aud 10
that universal law which causes you %
pray In unison with your brothers In the
episcopacy that God, the sovereign ruler
Ol all things, might render powerless the
thoughts Of the unbclioying, that lie
might bring their projects 10 naught, aud
that no might spread abroad among Ills
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 10
YOU our deepest thanks for the devotion
that you bear, and we call down upon you
the bountiiul gifts Of heaven, which will
mako you powerful In the accomplishment
of all good. In token Of this grateiulness,
and as a proof Of the value we place IN
your regard, We bcstow upon you, our
dear son, In the name Of the Lord, the
apostolic bencdiciion, upon tho other
Archbishops and Bishops who are joined
with you in the letter which wo have ro-
ceiyed, ~ we'll as upon the clergy and the
faithful ones conhded 10 your care.
LEo KILL, Pope.