The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-21

The encyclical has been approved by Q
committee of the college Of cardinals and
will shortly be promulgated.
The letter commences with recalling
the recent demonstration, upon the occa-
sion OF the jubilee Of his holiness, as
evidence of Catholic unity. and says that
initiating Christ. who. on the eve of his
ascension, prayed that his disciples be
united, he (the pope) at the end of his life
desires to invite all men, without distinc-
tion of rGce or country, to enter the
church.
Referring to the heathens. he prsys that
God will increase the number of devoted
missionaries, who will continue to propa-
gate the faith.
The encyciical then deals with Christian
countries and expresses the grief of the
pope at the s:hisms and animosities
which have torn fourishing countries
from the bosom Of the church, and the
hope is expressed that divine pity and
omnipotence will bring them back to the
fold.
The pope then addresses the eastern
churches, recalling the fact that their an
cestors recognized the Roman pontiff,
admits that they arc well disposed to-
ward Catholics, and promises that their
IltCs 6uu Rotfinfthot PFiNhSkCo VIII 70
maintained in the event of union with
the Roman Catholic church. concluding
with repeating tho words of the Greek
liturgy, praying for the end of schism.
An Appeal TO Protestsnta
His holiness then appeals to protestants.
and points out that they have no fixed
rule of faith nor authority and asserting
that many of them even deny the divinity
of Christ, the inspiration Of the scriptures,
and end by falling into naturalism and
materialism. He names enlightened prot
estants who ended by returning to Cath
olicism and exhorts others to return to
the church. In order that all may have
the same faith. hope and charity, based on
the same gospel.
The enolicycal proceeds to refer to the
movement In certain countries against
the church. enjoining Catholics to shake
off sloth In view Of this hostility. and to
submit entirely to the tutelage of the
church, whose mission It Is to teach and
20 legislate in regard TO things falling
under its jurisdiction, without being sub
servient to any and at the same time ex-
citing the envy OF none.
According to the encyclical the church
can pursue the work of guiding men in
the fulfllment of their duties, as IL is
animated by the spirit of accord toward
the civil powers, and willingly concludes
eompacts with them. The pope even
makes veiled reference to the fr. .sion
between church and state In Italy, by de-
ploring the ,vival OF acts of oppression,
which animated ancient royalties against
the church.
Free Masonry Condemned.
His holiness condemns the Free Masons,
claiming that they are the enemies Of re-
ligious unity. and especially denounces
their so-called audacious activity In Rome.
Further. he calls upon Italy and France
to shake of the despotism of Free Ma
=sonry, In order that religious concord may
exercise the evils OF war. holding that
Europe presents the appearance, rather
than the reality, OF peace. and that edu-
cation in husbandry, the arts and COM
merce is seriously menaced.
The encyclical concludes with recalling
the former encyclical OF the pope on the
social question. declaring that liberty and
the people can be made TO harmonizs with
power and the rulers. whatever form of
government exists, as the right to COM
mand and the duty of obedience proceed
from God, TO whom the rulers must sc-
count for their stewardship.
The pope strongly appeals to the latter
to foster religious union In order that the
close of the present century may not re-
semble the stormy end Of the last oep-