Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-10
PAPAL ENCYCLICAL
ARCHBISHOP CORRIGAN DEFINES TIE ATTI-
TUDE OF THs CHURCH.
II is at War with Scciahsm-TO Break Down
Property Rights is to Paralyzs Human En-
tsrpriss and Human InduStry-Ths Re-
latiOn Of Capital to Labor.


delivered at the Cathedral Sunday morn
ing by Archbishop COrrigan, on the
Anti-SocialiSm Encyclical Letter OF the
Holy See, has probably never been par
alleled in America. The recent Strlk-
ing diScourSes in Protestant pulplts
have affected only belief, and have only
shaken what is known as theology.
The ArchbishOp's sermon has direct
bearing on conduct and political action.
The Latin text of the letter only reached
this country, by the Etruria, Saturday
afternoon. The ArchbiShOp'S remarks,
interpreting and enforcing the encycll-
cal, came quickly, and with added ell
feet because they were not delayed.
The Pope's letter, as revealed in the
BishOp's sermon, touched upon matters
pertaining TO the McGlynn controversy,
as well as the SocialiStic theories adj
yanced by Henry George. The Arch
bishops words created profound i'm
preston on his congregation. He said;
1.-THE encyclical letter Of the sover-
eign pontiff, on the condition OF the
working classes, has lately been given
To the world. The Latin text has Just
reached this country. 1t is understood
that the translation will be conveyed as
expeditiouSly as possible TO all the Dish
ops of the country, and that they VIII
distribute copies of il without delay to
their resp ctive diOceSeS.
s.In the whole history Of the Church
Drobably no single document has ever
been awaited with such eager and uni
versal expectation. In the case OF other
encyclicals the world knew OF them, as
\ rule. only when they were published.
This letter has been anXiOuSly looked for
in advance. Other encyclicalS have
dealt with subjects which more or less
earnestly interested Lar ger or smaller
circle of persons, according 10 the mat
ter treated. This keenly interests all
classes and all countries; men OF every
creed and of no creed. Like the sun
light and the air, it comes home to all.
Who is there in the wide world who, in
his own person or his SympathieS at
least. is not ranged under the banners
either of capital or labor?
"Never have circumstances conSplred
10 give to the Roman pOntitf so respect
ful and so attentive an audience.
Though shOrn for the time being OF
TEMPORAL power, he yields moral au-
tbority far greater than that possessed
by king or a kaiser. independent OF
all higher gifts, as attributes, his long
experience, his vast learning, his con-
summate tact in adjusting differences,
his calm impartiality, his acknowledged
wisdom, have won for him hearing
which. cOntraSted with that OF any 9TH
er teacher on the face of the earth, is
absolutely unrivaled.
1--WE, in this diocese particularly, are
under special obligations TO the sover-
eign pontiff, inasmuch as the most Strik-
ipgly prominent teachings in the ency-
clical bear directly on errors that for a
time at least, and TO a certain extent,
found acceptance in New York. More
than Others have we reason to be deeply
grateful for the authoritative and ot1i-
cial announcement of the holy father.
"Now, what is its value? The COun-
ell of the Vatican defined as an article
of faith that when the sovereign pOntitf,
exercising his office of universal teacher,
instructs all ChriStendOm on faith or
morals. is endowed with the same gift
of Instability which Christ our Lord
vouchsafed TO his Church.
Three elements are needed and Suf-
fee to constitute dOgmatic definition
said TO be ex-cathedra. First, that the
pontiff speaks as the father Of all Chris
tendon and as universal teacher; sec
ond, that the subject matter of his ut
teranceS shall have regard to faith or
morals; third, that he define the doc
trinal question as binding on the Cath
Ollie conscience. In the letter under
consideration the sovereign pOntiff I'M
dOubtedly speaks as a universal
teacher. He says that he is compelled
TO speak in discharge Of his apostolic
Office. Secondly, he manifeStly con-
siders question of morals, but he does
not make any formal definition Of doc
trine.
consequently the value of the pre-
sent encyclical is this: The sovereign
pontiff adopts philosophers and, so to
say, canOnizeS it, making the common
teaching of theologlanS and it hence
forth the teaching of the Catholic
church. Thus the doctrines contained
in the pastoral letter on the ownership
OF private property addressed TO the
faithful OF this diocese in 1855 repre-
sented then only the teaching and COM
mon opinion of theOlOgianS. They now
represent official Catholic teachings.
"The doctrines contained in the en-
cvclical on the condition of the working
classes are Catholic doctrines pure and
simple. | trust, therefore, dear broth
rem, that when you read the translation
of the document to be placed in your
hands you will read it until you are per-
fectly familiar with all that it contains
Though it does not treat of new doc
trines. il eminently deserves not only
careful, but oft-repeated peruSal. Its
whole force may not strike you at once,
The language is so carefully weighed
the sentences so pregnant, that only
after repeated readings is one likely tC
grasp their whole drift and substance
ON account Of the limit of time, pro
pose this morning merely to touch on
the first aud most important part of the
encvclical, which treats of the right oil
private property, and to put before yor
in proper way, and as briefly and clear
" As / can, the argument of the Holy
Father.
"Many causes he says, have brought
about the Seething conflict now exist
ing between capital and labor, and
many efforts have been made to solve
the knOtty question involved. The So