The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-12
PETERS PENCE.
Contributions to Pass Through the
Hands of the Apostolic Delegate.

Hands of the Apostolic Delegate.
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE following
letter has been received from Rome by
the apostolic delegate, Mgr, Satoll TO be
forwarded by him to the archbishops who
are TO distribute it to their suffragans:
Heretofore, the Peter pence collected
each year in every diocese was sent di-
rectly by the bishops to Rome. Now
those collections must be transmitted TO
the delegate. Moreover, any individual
who wishes to make i'm his own name a
more liberal contribution than he would
ordinarily put in the diocesan collection,
may do so by addressing it directly to the
pope through the delegate. Here Is the
letter Of the holy father to the bishops:
Venerable Brothers: Among other
efficient means Of fostering and proving
devotedness to the Roman Pontin, one de-
serves notice. We mean the financial sup
port given him, that he may the more
readily provide for the interests of the
church. Since the days Of the apostles
the faithful have given in this matter
a noble example which has continued
through all the vcissitudes of time and
events. This support is rightly called the
Peter pence. Assuredly in these latter
days, when the rights of the Roman
church are unjustly violated and its for
mer means have ceased, it is "a fact wor-
thy of remembrance and commentator
that Catholics Of almost every nation
have been so warm in their attachment to
the successor OF st. Peter as to come In
aid Of his honorable destitution. In this
concert the faithful Of your great coun-
try deserve a Just need OF praise, for
under the guidance and exhortation OF
their bishops they have given remarka-
BILE proofs of the ardor Of their faith and
the native generosity Of their hearts.
Useless, then, to urge them to further
continuance of this custom. our purpose
rather is to point out an arrangement
which shall facilitate and, II possible, also
increase their generosity. Not long ago as
you know, we thought proper to give to
your diocescs and your hocks a special
pledge Of our affection, in the establish
ment of permanent apostolic delegate, so
that there might be constantly in your
midst one who should represent our person
and manage your more important anatra
in our name and with our power. Now
this institution naturally suggests the new
arrangement we should like to make az to
the Peter pence. 1t Is this: The collec-
tions for this purpose which each bishop
orders in his diocese, as well as tho pri-
vate contributions that individual Catho-
lies may wish to make to the Holy Father
in their names, shall henceforth be for
warded and placed to the credit OF tho
apostolic delegate residing In Washington
he afterwards will remit the sums to us
with itemlzed details. Your generosity
will be most acceptable and opportune just
now, for the needs increase day by day
with our growing solicitude for the faith,
especially since the publication of our late
apostolic letter on unity. We cherish GER
tain projects by which we hope, not with
out good grounds, to foster and hasten
that devouty wished contamination. the
reunion of Christendom. Such, venerable
brothers, is our wish IN this matter. We
know well and duly praise your willingness
to correspond TO our counsels and desires.
And we now lovingly bestow on yourself,
your work, your clergy your people, the
apostolic benediction as a pledge of
Gods choicest blessings that unfaiing
success may attend your pastorate.
Given at Rome, in st. Peters. the 10th
day of September, 1894. the seventeenth
year Of our pontihcate.
Leo +. =. XIII.
The projects referred to are seminar
les to be founded at various points In the
orient-Athens, Smyrna, Corfu and others.
The letter also, 1t is understood, implies
that priests and people are expected to
avail themselves of this opportunity TO
show their pleasure at the establishment
of apOgtOlfc delegation.