The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-19
18Th St E..
CA7HOLlCS AND YHE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A Letter from the Pope TO thc bishops OF
the Prnylnce Of New lGrk.

the Province OF New York.
The Osse1atir re Romano of Jure2 published
long letter from Leo NH. to the bishops OF
the province Of New York. Speaking OF the
school question. and the arrangement made in
Faribault and saltwater. the Pope says:
I've have brought to the discussion OF this
case a calm judgment and n mind fully con-
scious of. and favorably inclined to. the de-
crees. which. under the guidance OF tho Aros-
tolic See were determined on Ivy common con-
sent in the councils Of Baltimore regarding
rarochial schools 1t is our desire that these
DEGREES DO firmly observed. but inasmuch as
MI general laws have this character. that if
anything occur which is exceptional or un-
look cd FOX the fact--cGuity SO ndvisinG-may
be tolerated, although it be to some extent a
depurture from tho letter Of the law. We
easily ascertained that such was the
case in tho premises. and therefore We
deemed that tho matter in question
should he judged hy the dictates OF nopera-
ton md prudence rather than according to
tho ri.Or of the law. On the othor hand. among
the consrcrated prelatcs of your country whom
We know to be most devotoi to this Holy See.
ms we have always found them such in their
visits to us. not one. without single ex-
ception, seemed to entertain the slightest
| doubt about tho doctrines taught from this
Catholic yoU,h should receive instruction. All.
namely. are Of ono mind. TINT neutral schools
! that ia, SCHOOLS devoid Of reiigicn-cannot be
! apr vrt. while all unnni mously uphold de-
nrminuiinnnl Sc hools. rs found in countries in
| which different forms OF belief prevail
| schools, that Is. in which youth are dulytaught
| their religion by teachers whom the Bishops
| recognize rs competent to discharge this func-
ut is desirable therefore. venerable breth-
! ron that In concert with your colleagues in
| the Epscopatn your efforts and your zeal
/ guard Catholic childron from freGucnting
| schools in which their religious instruction is
| spiritual loss. Therefore We rehemently do
! sire as has already cen intiInated 10 you hy
| the Propaganda. TINT in th, npproachin
| Episco pal meet. ngs you carefully discuss tho
measures that may best nelp to attain ~ >
| that the civil magistrates. VIII" know full! well
! that nothing is more advantageous To- the
! common veal than religion. should provide by
! the enactment II wise laws tint tho office OF
teaching, which Is carried on ct the ex-
Guently the contributions. OF Catholics.
| should contain nothing TINT stands in tho
way o. their conscience. or runs foul OF their
religion. For we are persuaded that even
faith, considering their distinguished gifts Of
mind ana oi hnsrt will easily cast aside, any
| pnssihle suspicious and sentiments hostile to
| the Catholic Church. and nEly recognize
| its merits in having I'spelled the gloom 81
Pagan bariarism by the light Of the GOSPEL.
beauty Of Christian virtue md SURF rounded by
| the halo of knowledge and civilization. In view
OF these facts we think the American sense OF
| fair play will not Kermit Catholic parents to be
| they cannot make use OF for the education OF
| their OisDring."