The herald., 1894-11-12
AN tP|STLE FROM THE POPE
A New System of Paying Peters
Pence.
All Contributions to Be Sent to
Mgr. SatOlli.
Americans Compiimented for Their
Libsrslity-A Special Demand
Made Them This
Year for Funds.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE following
letter has been received from Rome by
Mgr. Sstolli to be forwarded by him Ia
the archbishops. heretofore the Peters
pence collected each year in every
diocese was sent directly by the bishops
to Rome. Now, these collections must
be transmitted to the delegate; more
over, any individual who wishes to
make in his own name a more liberal
contribution than he would ordinarily
put in the diocesan collection, may do
80 by addressing it directly to the pope
through the delegate. Here is the letter
from the holy father:
VENERABLE BROTHER Among other
efficient means of fostering and proving
devotedness to tho Roman pontiff, one
deserves notice. We mean this financial
support given him that he may the more
readily provide for the interests of the
church Since the daye of the apostles
the faithful have given in this manner q
noble example which continued through
all time and events. The support is justly
called Peter's pence. Assuredly in these
latter days. when the rights of the
Roman church are unjustly violated
and its former means have ceased, it is
fact worthy of remembrance and COM
mendation that the Catholics of almost
every nation have been 80 warm in their
attachment to the successor of st. Peter
as to come to the aid of his honorable
destitutien. In this concert the faith
ful of your great country deserve q just
need OF praise, for under the guidance
and exhortation of their bishops, they
have given remarkable proofs of th Q
ardor of their faithiulnsss and the
native generosity of their hearts.
Useless then to urge them to further
continuance of this custom. Our pur-
pose rather is to point out an arrange
ment which ehall facilitate, ii possible
also increase. their generosity. Not long
ago, as you know, we thought proper to
give to your dioceses and your hocks a
special pledge of our affection in the
establishment Of permanent apostolic
delegation, go there might be constantly
in your midst one who should represent
our person and manage your more i'm
portant affairs in our name, and with
our power. Now this institution natur.
ally suggests the new arrangement We
should like to make as to the Peters
pence. 1t is this:
The collections for and purpose which
each bishop orders in his diocese. as
we'll as the private contributions that
individual Catholics may wish to make
to the holy father in their own homes,
shall henceforth be forwarded to and
placed to the credit OF the apostolic
delegate in Washington, he afterward to
remi. the sums TO us With itamiz3d de-
tails. Your generosity will be most
acceptable and opportune just now, for
the needs increase day by day with our
growing eolicitude for the faith, and
especially since the publication OF our
apostolic letter on unity. We cherish
certain projects by which we hope, not
without good ground, to foster and
hasten that devoutly wished for con-
summation. the reunion of Christendom.
Such, venerable brother. is our wish
in this matter. We know we'll, and
duly praise your willingness to corre-
spond to our couneels and desires and
now we lovingly bestow upon yourself,
your work, your clergy, your people. the
apostolic benedlction as pledge OF
Gods choicest blessings that unfailing
success may attend your pastorate.
Given at Rome. in st. Peters, the
10th day of September, 1894, the 18th
year of our Pontifcal.
(Signed) LEO, PORE XIII.
The projects referred to are seminaries
to be founded at various points ia the
Orient, Athens, Smyrna, Corfu and
others. The letter also implies that
people are expected to avail themselves
OF this opportunity to show their graft
tude for the establishment of the apos-
t0lic delegation.