New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-01
THE POPE ON COLUMBUS.
1T~rIT.R TO THE BISHOPS OF SPAIN.
ITALY AND THE AMERICAS.
RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION ON OCTOBER IL DE-
CgEED-VIEws OF LEO XIII on THE
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.


DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
Rome July 3l-The following is the text, in part.
ot the letter addressed 10y Leo NH to the Arch
l,sbops and Bishops OF Spain, Italy and the Two
Americas On the subject Of Christopher Columbus;
F,r Tho end Of the hteenth century, since nall from
Iisura frst landed und the auspices Of Cod on thc
,,.n,stauc shores humanity has been strongly inclined
"a celebrate with gratitude the recollection Of this event.
IL would certainly not Re an easy natter TO hnd more
verify cause touch their hearts and to nhSme ther
zeal. event effect Is such In Itself that no other
epoch gIander and more beautiful one accom-
n.hed bv man. A. him who accomplished it, there aro
few compared te hun In greatness OF Soul ana
O, genins BY his Work word flashed forth from
he uexpored thousands upon thousands OF noas
returned the common society of the human race
led from their laarOus NE peaccfulness and civa-
ton sndwhich is Of much more impoancc-recaed nom
pesn eternal life by the bestowed Of the gifts which
Jesus Christ Brought TO the world.
Europe. astonished alike by the novelty ana the
prelousness unexpected event, understood l''e
BY little IN due OF time what she owed 10 Columbus
when by sending colonies America. by frequent con-
unicatons by exchange OF services by the resources con
rdsd received in return there Wa discovered
sn Of favorable nature possible IN che
knowledge Of and 10 the reciproca sbunaaVe oi
riches. with the result that she prestige OF Luole III
creased enormously.
Therefore would not be httng, amid these numerous
testimonials OF AouOr and in these concerts OF iecatn
that the Church should maintain complete silence since in
accordance with character and her !nsttucon she
Willingly approve. endesvors TO favor all that appcors
wherever is, be worthy OF honor ana PRAISE Tn
douptedy she particular and supreme honos to the
virtues pre.ininent regard to morality ineNmuch a. they
are united TO the external salvation OF souls nevertheless
she doe- de-pise the resS. neither does she abstain
from esteening them a. they deserve.
,rhere s in sddtOn entirely special reason for which
wa hoave we should commemorate in srateful spirit this
Immortal event IL II that Columbus Is one OF u.s. Whel
ene considers with what motive above all he undertook e
pan Of exploring and with what object he en-
desvored to this plan cannot doubt that the
Catholic faith sureauvey inspired the enterprise and It's
execution SO his tide also humanity is not t'
indebted the Church
Above all human reasons nat Of religion was upper
most by great deal in him, and this, without any
doubt which his spr; and his viii, and which
}reoueoty tn the midst Of extreme difficulties. nlled him
with consolation In realty hi plan, the resolution pro-
foundy carved his heart 70 open access T. the o'
pei in thr land and In new seas
II be had not inspired himself from superior to
human interests where then. Woui he have drawn the
constsncy ana tho soul support what he was
Obliged 10 TIE and submit %, that Is to
SAY the unprOpitols advice o. the learned pope the
repulses plincs the teupests u the furious ocan
the combas against arbafans the inhdelites of his
ferds aDion- the Villanous consDraces the
pc naousness envous. the caunnies Of the ira
duccr the chains which, after all. though Innocent
he loaded! 1t was inevitable that a man over
with burden Of trials great and 50 intense
would succumbed had lie not sustained himself ON
the cons ioisness u u.Iung a very noble enterprise
which conecurd would be glorious for the Christ an
name and sautary for infinite multitude.
great tempest was going unchan it-ef against the
Church. Inasnuch as that il i permitted by the
course Of appreciate the ways Of DIVINE FioN'
dnce il really tnat the man for whom Lglre hoor7
herself destined by special plan Of Goa 10 coneh'
sate Catholicism the injury which ii was going 70
suffer IN Europe TO call the Indian race 70 Christianity
this wa, doubt the mission and the work o the
Church.
In order 70 celebrate worthy and in manner suitable
10 the truth Of the solemn anniversary OF Column
bus the sacredntss religion must be united 10 The
81 rndor of the cY pomp This IL why, rs previously al
the first announcement the public actions OF grace
were rendered providence Of the immortal God upon
tho example which Supreme Pontin gave the same
also now celebrating the recollection OF the auspciOus
event We esteem do much
decree this effect that the day Of october IL or
tho following sunday IL the respective diocesan BShops
Judge opportunc that alter the once OF tie oa'
the %: the Very Holy Trinity shall BE- cee-
bratcd in the Caihedl and coeglal churches Of Spain
Inly aud the Americas In addition 10 these couh'
tries we hope upon the Initiative Of tie Bishops as
much may done the Others for 10 Is hitting mat al
saoud concur celebrating with picy and gratitude an
eye,t which has Teen profitable 70 al