The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-22
LEO'S LETTER TO GIBBONS
Official Translation of the Holy Fathers
Restript on the School Question.
Monsignor Satollis Position, Which the Pope
Declares to Be in Harmony with the DEGREES
of the Council of Baltimore. Endorsed.

has given to the press the official trsnsla-
ton of the much discussed pontiiosl letter
from the Pope on the school question. 1t
shows the Popes love for America.
eulogizes Mgr. Satoll and gives the two
fold purpose of his mission. The delegates
position on the school question, ex-
planned to the archbisbops in New York
and misunderstood by others. is Endorsed
by the Pope. who declares it to be in
harmony with the Council of Baltimore,
which remains In its integrity. The Pope's
letter is accompanied by q note from NJ.
Cardinal Rompello to Cardinal Gibbons.
which reads:
Your Eminence-I herewith transmit to your
Eminence the pontifical letter upon the noted
school question. do not doubt but that your
Eminence will read with pleasure its contents.
and hope that the important document will see
calm re-established in the minds of oil who have
OF the Holy Father that your Eminence would
kindly have the letter printed and distributed to
all the bishops in the United States
Following is the officlal translation Of the
Holy Fathers ency olical letter on the school
question in the United States:
To our beloved son, James Gibbons, Cardinal Priest
OF the Holy Roman Church, Tituar of St Mary's
Our Wenerabe brethren. the Archbsheps and
Bishops of the United States of North America:
Beloved son and venerable Brethren-Healch
and apostolic benediction. We have often given
manifest proofs both Of our s0lioitude for the
welfare of the faithful people and bishops of the
Affection with which We cherish that portion of
our Saviors flock OF this wo have given adj
ditional and unmistakable evidence in sending
to you as our delegate our venerable brother,
Francis, ttular Archbishop of Lepanto. an illus
trious man, not less preeminent by his learn
E than n SR
In New York have plainly testified, thus con-
firming the trust which we had reposed in his
prudence. Now his legation has this for its first
Object-that it should be q public testimonial of
our good will towards your country and of the
high esteem In which we hold those who admin
lister the government OF the Republic, for he was
to assist In our name at the dedication OF the
universal exposition held In the city of Chicago,
Gus invitation of the directors, have taken
part. But his legation had this also for its
purpose: That our presence should be made as
establishment of an apostolic delegation at
Washington. By this we have manifestly de-
clared not only that we love your nation equally
with those most fourishing countries to which
have been accustomed to send represent
atives vested with our authority, but
also that we yehemently desire that
the bonds of mutual relationship binding you
and your faithful people with us children
with their father, should grow closer every day.
Nor was it small comfort to our heart that this
new act OF our care in your regard was followed
by general outpouring of thanks and affection
Now, in our fraternal solicitude for your we'll
being. we had. above all, given command to the
Archbishop of Lepanto that he should use ell his
endeavOrs and all the skill of his fraternal char
ity for the eXtirpati0n OF all the germs of dis
sension developed in the too well-knOwn contrO-
versies concerning the proper instruction OF
Catholic youths, dlssenslOn whose lame was
famed by various writings published on both
sides. These commands of ours our venerable
brother fully complied with, and In the month or
November OF last year he repaired to New York,
where there had assembled with you, beloved
son, all the other archbishops of your country,
leaxv Tod tlA xxxhs
had communicated to them through the sacred
congregation of the Propaganda that, after con-
ferring with their suffragans, they shOnld join
method OF caring for those Catholic children
who attend the public schools instead OF CathO-
Ollie schools.
The things which You wisely decreed in that
meeting were pleasing to the said Archbishop of
Lepanto, who bestowed merited praise ON your
crees would prove most useful. This Judgment
we also with great pleasure confirm; and 20 your
you give deserved praise for having thus oppor-
timely responded TO our counsel and our expec-
tation. But. at the same time, our said veneer
able brothers wishing, as 1t was our desire. TO
settle the questions concerning the right instruc-
ton of Catholic youth, about which, as above
stated, controversy was being waged. and writ
ings published with excited minds and angry
feelings. laid before you certain propositions,
put n shape by himself, touching both upon the
pInSRss of M as subject sSs and their
ing and na bearing ing Of 18th these PROPOSE
tain in'' declarations and Corrections sne in them
all, this the Archbishop OF Lepanto cheerfully
complied with. Which being done, the dis
declaration of gratitude and of satisfaction with
the way In which he had fulfilled the commits
sion intrusted TO him By us. All this We find in
taken care TO send ue
But these propositions of our delegate having
onee e1ed and started Ser that
brought out false interpretations and malignant
| Imputations. which, scattered abroad In the
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
the harm to souls which 1t seemed to them might
thence result, confided to the reason of their
anxiety. And We knowing that the salvation
Of souls is the supreme law to be ever assidu-
ously borne in mind by us, wishing. moreover,
to give you another proof of solicitous af-
lection, requested that each or you should, in q
ae a ms 20 us oa tes With SUBJ v
each one OF you. From the examination OF these
letters it became manifest to us that some of you
hension, while to others it seemed that the prop
0sitions partially abr0gated the disciplinary law
eoneernins schools enacted by the Council Of
| interpretations put upon them would engen.
der sad dissensions. which would prove detri-
| weighing the matter We are ultimately con-
WINGED that such interpretations are to-
| tally alien from the meaning of our
delegates as they are assuredly far from the
| mind of this apostolic see. For the principal
propositions offered by him were drawn from
the DEGREES OF the third Plenary Council of Bal
| timore, and especially declare that Catholic
| that IL ia to be left to the Judgment and con-
science or the Ordinary to decide, according to
| the circumstances. when it is lawful and when
unlawful 10 attend public schools.
Now, IL the words OF any speaker are sn 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 both nnbe-
| coming and unjust TO explain his later utter
| ances to mako them disagree with the
| preceding ones And this ia the more
| true since the meaning of the writer
ing his propositions TO the distinguished meeting
| from the minutes. his admiration for the zeal
| manifested By the bishops or North America in
the most wise DEGREES enacted by the third Plen.
| ary Council OF Baltimore for the promotion of
| the Catholic instruction Of the young. He said
| moreover that the decrees IN so far as they con-
tain general rule of action. faithfully 70 be
| observed, and that although the public schools
| are not TO be entirely condemned, since cases
may occur, as the council itself has foreseen, in
which it is lawful to attend them, still
| every endeavor should be made to multiply
| equipment. But in order that in matter OF so
| grave Importance there may remain no further
room for doubt or for discussion OF opinions, as
We have already declared in our letter of the ed
OF Nay OF last year, TO our venerable brethren,
| the Archbishop and Bishop Of the province of
| New York, so we again, far need be, de-
| clare that the DEGREES which the Baltimore