The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-05-01
POPE LEO ON AMERICA,

The New York Herald of yesterday
publishes an interesting interview with
Pope Leo XIII, relative 20 America, the
evils that threaten society and the work
of the church. The Pope says relative
| to his interest in America: II have a
claim upon Americans for their respect,
because | love them and love their
country. | have a great tenderness for
those who live in that land, Protestants
and all. Under the Constitution religion
has perfect liberty and is growing pow
er. Where the church is free. it will in
crease, and bless, love Americans for
their frank, open, unaffected charac ter,
and for the respect which they pay to
Christianity and Christian morals.
American journalism" he says, les.
pecially should be amiable and benevolent
toward me, because my only desire is to
use my power for the good of the whole
people, PrOtestants and Catholics alike,
and to increase their prosperity and
happiness. Ihave no other aim on earth
than to benefit them, and will never do
anything that is not for their good.
journalism is now very powerful, and it
should help me to spread the spirit of
religion and charity and to teach sound
morality"
OF the present tendencies of society
the Pope thus speaks: "These are times
of social unrest and impending disorder.
There is no power that can deal with the
anarchist, socialism and discomfort but
organized religion, which will restore
morality to society. The result of the
efforts which have been made TO throw
aside Christianity and live without it
can be seen in the present condition of
society-discontent, disorder, hatred and
profound unhappiness. | have studied
how TO bring about change, and while
while / live | will labor to relieve the
world from this terrible confusion. The
suffering and helplessness of the working
people are sources of great anxiety and
grief to me. Their troubles have been
largely due to the enemies of Christian
morality, who want to see Christian his
tory ended and mankind returned to
Pagan life. There are two things in the
world at present that need especial at
tentian-slavery and the social question.
To abolish slavery have established a
college and am sending out missionaries
into Africa and wherever men are held
in slavery. The true way to free them is
to educate and Christianize them. An
enlightened man cannot be made slave,
For that reason shall deyate the ener-
gies of the church to the spread of
knowledge among the poor savages. HUI
manity must aid me to teach these un-
fortunrtes and save them from slavery.
The social question can only be solved
by increasing the morality Of the world.
While Christian morals governed there
was no such condition of affairs as we see
to-day. But with the efforts to destroy
religion began the evils which are agi-
tating society. The social troubles can
not be cured unless mankind comes back
to the same principle. But if the foes of
Jesus Christ and His church continue to
attack and revile the religion which
teaches correct morals and has civilized
the world, these disorders will increase
and overwhelm them"
He continues; ut is for the church to
Christianize the world and teach NOR
ality and charity. The moral condition
of both the worlSingman and his employ
er must be raised. intend to have
committees formed in every diocese i'm
the world. Each committee shall have