Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-08
The pApAL BENED1cT1oN.

Text Of Recent Correspondence Between
Cardinal Gibbons and Loo XIII.
BALTIMORE, April 1.-The Cdtholic Mirror Of
this week will contain the following corre-
spondence between Cardinal Gibbons and
the Holy Father:
"Mosr HOLY FArHER-When, toward the
close of the last year. on the occasion of the
golden jubilee of the Most Rev. Archbishop
Kenrick we met together in St. Louis to dis
cuss various matters of Catholic interest.and
especially such as had contributed to ex-
tend that interest in this country, the acts
and favors of the Holy See regarding this
part Of the Lords flock were among the
principal things that occurred to us. and 1t
was consequently the unanimous sentiment
among us that an early letter should be sent
to Your Holiness bearing the expressions OF
our gratitude, while we at the same time i'm
plore the Gtver of all good gifts to vouch-
safe long to preserve SO great Pont1n TO
the Catholic world.
hardly say how much light Your Holiness
recent encyclical letter has thrown on social
questions closely connected with the good
OF religion since its wisdom has been ap-
parent even to many who are not Of the
faith. However, IL we are not mistaken 1t
would seem that several things which 1t con-
tains we're especially written for the good Of
this country, and for this reason have been
productive OF much good fruit among us.
"There was yet another matter which we
recognized with no less pleasure: A ground
less fear had taken possession Of many my
culated about National Bishops though
without any foundation whatever, should
be reduced to practice. We did all in our
Especially when we saw the matter bitterly
discussed in the public press and looked on
with disfavor by tho Government. Our
words remained, however, of no avail until
the voice of Your Holiness was heard. That
put an end to all discussion, and manifested
to our Government the wisdom and pru-
dence with which Catholic affairs are
handled by Your Holiness.
"We give thanks for these and many other
favors, and once again pray God long to pre-
serve the health of Your Holiness. at whose
feet we PROSTATE ourselves, humbiy beg.
the apostolic benediction.
"JAMEs, CARDINAL G1BBoNs."
Priest of the Holy Roman Catholic Church of the
title Of s. Maria Trans Tberim. Archbishop Of
"BEIovED sos-Health and apotolic bene-
although your letters always give us
pleasure, yet we confess that we were parti;,
from you under date OF the 4th of January,
since it bore the special commendation OF
having been written in the name Of all the
Bishops Of the IN the
esteem the care which we have bestowed
upon your dioceses. The sentiments Of
gratitude which your letter expresses have
given US no small comfort. All these things
avail as your devotion toward us increases,
to incline our good will daily more and more
toward you and your f1ocks, and thus to
draw closer those bonds Of charity and faith
which give such great strength and glory to
the Church.
at is most agreeable to us to know that
you prayers are offered to God for us, for
e. 1S~AA IA@I ~
the times in which we live. With q like
feeling Of charity, therefore, we in our part
implore an abundance of heavenly graces
for you, ana as an earnest of them we i'm
part, permanently in the Lord to you, be-
loved son, and to you. brethren, and to the
Episcopate Of the United States, as well as
to the clergy and faith full committed to your
watchfulness, the apostolic benediction.
CLEO p. P. Kill"