New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-19
POPE LEO AND TIE SCHOOL Question:
EXTRACT FROM ms LITTER TO THE BISHOPS
OF THE PROVINCE OF NEwYoEK.

EXTRACT FROM ms LITTER TO TIE BISHOPS
OF THE PROVINCE OF NEwYoEK
The "Osservatorc Romano' Of Junc publishes
n better from Leo NIL 10 tho bishops q thc Province
Of New York. speaking of the school question ana
the arrangement made In farbault ana stl'"a''r
the Pope SAYS: "We have brought to the discussion 81
this case "a calm judgment and a mind fniy conscious
Of and favorably inclined 10 the decree winch
under the guidance OF the po-toc sr", were deter
mined on BY common consent IN the council OF l1ll
more regarding parOclIal schools IL Is our desire
that these DEGREES is firmly observed, Int lna'mhch
as all genera, laws have TIL, character That If anything
occur which is exceptional and unlocked for. the Er'
equity 50 advising, NAV be tolerated. although II bc
in some extent a departure from the letter If the
law: We easily asccriancd that such va, the case III
the prcmt and therefore deemed that IN" mat
fer I'm question should be Judged by the dictates OF
moderation and prudence rather than according to The
rigor Of the law.
on the other hand among the consccra'cd prelacs
OF your country, whom we know to be most devoted
to the Holy See. as we have always found them 30
I'm their visits to IL. not one. without single ex-
ccpon seemed 10 entertain the slightest doubt about
the doctrines taught from this chair Of Peter regard
Ing the schools In which Catholic youth should rc
ccivc Instruction. All. namely are Of one mlnd that
neutral schoos-that is. schools devoid Of religion
cannot be approved, while all unanimously uphold
denominatlonal schools as found In countries In
which different form OF D'llel prevail, sChooI> tidt
Is IN which youth duly Taught their religion by
teachers whom the bishops recognize competent TO
discharge this function.
at Is desirable therefore, venerable brethren that
In concert with your colleagues In the cpiscopate
your efforts your zeal guard Catholic children from
frcqucning schools in which their religious inStruc
ton Is neglected. and open danger incurred Of spiritual
loss. Therefore vehcmcntly desire, as has already
been inmaed 70 YOU by the Propaganda that in the
approaching episcopal meetings You carefully discuss
the measures that may best help 10 attain this end
We wish you also TO efforts that the civil
magistrates, who know full well that nothing
Is advantageous to the common veal than
religion. should provide by the enactment of
wise laws that the Office Of teaching which
Is carried on at the expense of the public,
including, consequently, the contributions Of Catho
les should contain nothing that stands IN the way
Of their conscience nuns foul Of their religion.
"For persuaded that even those of your
citizens who differ from In faith. considering their
distinguished gifts Of mind and Of heart. will easily cast
side any possible suspicious and sentiments hostile
10 the Catholic Church. and Willingly recognize its
merits H. having di- PEELED the gloom Of pagan bar
barism bv the light Of the Gospel, and created "A
society bright with the beauty Of Christian virtue and
surrounded by the haow of knowledge and civiza-
lion In Wow Of these facts, think the American
sen = OF fair play will not permit Catholic parents
IL forced to build and maintain schools which they
cannot make of for the education Of their OH-
spring