The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-22
POPE LFo AND THE SCHOOLS.
Cardinal Gibbons Gives Out a Copy Of
the EncyoEcal.


has given to the press a copy oftheoficiaI
transaction of the much discussed ency-
clical letter from Pope Leo on the school
question. 1t shows the Pope's love for
America, eulogizes Monsignor Satoln, and
gives the twofold purpose of his mission.
His position on the school question as ex-
planned to the archbishops in New
York, misunderstood by others, is
indorsed by the pope, who declares it to
be in harmony with tho action of the
council of Baltimore, which remains in
its integrity. After referring to the
action of Mgr Satolli at the meeting of
the archbishops in New York, when he
laid before the meeting certain prop
ositions on the school question, the pope
says:
But these propositions of our delegate
having been inopportunely made public
minds were at once excited and controver-
sizes started afresh, which, through NAL
ignant imputations scattered abroad in
newspapers, grew more widespread and
more serious. Then certain prelates of
your country, whether displeased with
the interpretations put upon some Of these
propositions or fearing harm to the soul
which it seemed to them might thence
result, confided TO us the reason of their
anxiety, and we, knowing that the sal
walton of the south is supreme law to
be ever assiduously borne in mind by us !;
wishing, moreover, to give you another
proof of our solicitous affection, requested
that each of you should in q private let
ter fully open his mind to us on the sub
Iect, which was diligently complied with
by each one os you. From an exanina-
tion of these letters it became mani
fest to us that some of you found in
the propositions no reasons for apprehen-
sion; while to others it seemed that the
propositions partially abrogatod discip-
linary law concerning the schools enacted
by the council Of Baltimore and thay feared
that the diversity of Interpretation put
upon them would engender dissensions
which would prove detrim entail to the
Catholic school
''After carefully weighing the matter
we are convinced that such interpreta-
tions are totally alien from the meaning
of our delegates, as they are assured they
are far from the mind of this apostolic
see. The principal propositions Of
fered by him were drawn from the DEGREES
of the third plenary council of Baltimore,
and especially declare that Catholic
schools are to be most sedulously pro-
NOTED, and that IT is to be left 10 the judg-
ment and conscience of ordinary to decide
according to circumstances when il
is lawful and when unlawful to attend
public schools. Now if the words of any
speaker are so to be taken that the latter
part Of his discourse shall be understood to
agree, and not to disagree with what he
had said before, it is surely unbecoming
and unjust 80 to explain his later utter
ances as to make them disagree with the
preceding one; and this is the more true
since the meaning of the writer
was not at all obscure. For while
presenting his propositions to the dis
tinguished meeting In New York, he ex-
pressly declared (as is evident from the
minutes) his admiration of the interest
manifested by the bishopsof North Amer
lea in the most wise decrees enacted by
the third plenary council of Baltimore for
the promotion of Catholic Instruction of
the young. He added, moreover, that these
DEGREES in so far as they contain q general
rule Of action, are faithfully to be observ-
ed; and that although the public
schools are not to be entire
ly condemned, since cases
may Decor, as the council itself had
foreseen, in which it is lawful to attend
still every endeavor should be made TO
multiply Catholic schools and to bring
them to perfect equipment But In order
that, in a matter of so grave Importance,
there may remain no further
room for doubt or for dissension of
opinion as we have already declared in
our letter of the 23d of May of last year
to our venerable brethren the Archbishop
and Bishops of the province of New York,
so we again, as far as need be, declare that
the DEGREES which the Baltimore councils,
agreeably to directions Of the Holy See,
have enacted concercing parochial schools,
and whatever else has been prescribed by
Roman ponttffs, whether directly or
through the sacred congregations con-
cerning the same matter, are to be stead
fastly observed.