The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-01
III HONOR OF COLUMBUS.
KhY Catholics Should Generate the
Memory Of the BissoVtrer.
His MISSION FOR THE CHURCH.
Tie Pope ADDRESSES Notable Letter to The Cathoile
Bishops Of Spain, Italy and the
Two Americas.
Special to THE MoRNINs CALI

ROME. July s1.-The Pope has addressed
e lengthy letter to the Archbishops and
Bishops of Spain, Italy and the two Amer
icas on the subject of Christopher Colum-
bus and his discoveries, etc. He appoints
October IL of this year, or the following
Sunday If opportune, ss day upon which
the solemn mass of the Holy Trinity be cell
ebrated In the cathedrals aud collegiate
churches in order TO celebrate wOTthily and
I'm manner suitable 10 the truth OF the facts
Of the solemn anniversary. In his letter
the Pope says that wher one considers with
what motive above all others Columbus un-
dertook his plan of exploring the Dark Sea.
and with what object he sadeavored TO real
ize this plan. ode cannot doubt that the
Catholic 1alth superlatively inspired
the enterprise and its execution. so that
by this also humanity is not a lit
tie indebted to the church. 1t is the
eminently distinct point OF COlumb bus that
IN crossing the immense expanse of ocean
he followed an object more grand and ele-
waited than the others. This does not say
that he was not influenced by other desires,
but in reality his plan, his resolution, pro-
foundly carved in bis heart, was to open
access to the GoSpelin new lands and in new
seas.
The Pope cites the fact that In Columbus
plcadings with Ferdinand and Isabella he
eAPidluCU tlldb LnelT EiuIS Mbuiu lHCRoioo
to the point of becoming immortal if they
decided to carry the name and doctrine OF
Jesus Christ into such distant regions, and
when. not long after, his prayers were
granted, he called 10 witness what he
wished TO obtain from God that these
soveTeigns sustained by His help and His
mercy, should persevere in causing the
Gospel to penetrate upon new shores and
In new lands.
The Pope also quotes from Columbus
letter 10 Raphael Sanchez after his return,
that Jesus Christ would rejoice in the tri-
u.ph upon earth and in heaven for the
coming salvation OF innumerable people
whe, previous to that time, had been going
to their ruin.
II Columbus also asked of Ferdinand and
Isabella TO permit only Catholic Christians
20 60 10 the New World, there 10 accelerate
trade with the natives, the Pope supports
this motive by the fact that by his enterprise
and efforts he had Eot sought for anything
else than glory and the development Of the
Christian religion.
The Pope says that enterprise so carried
out Is admirably illustrated by the events of
the time. In effect, Columbus dis covered
America obou. the period when a great
tempest was going TO unchain itself against
the church. lnasmueh as il is permitted by
the course OF events 10 appreciate the ways
OF Divine Providence, it seems that this
man was destined by special plan of God
TO compensate Catholicism for the injury il
was going 10 suffer in Europe
10 call the Indian race TO Christianity
this was, without doubt, the mission and
work of the church. She continued to fnI-
Ill this work with an uninterrupted course
OF charity, and still continues it, having ad.
yanced herself so far as the exiTemities of
Patagonia.
tude of e rgent r ri, oRS t%r saSs Sns & agnl H
etv ..,e benefits which have reculted from
I'D assurs,3Iy to celebrate BIN who was
t.so author If il by a grateful remembrance
n
but In the first place We must recognize
and venerate particularly the divine pro-
ject TO which the discoverer of the New
World was subSeryient, and which he