The record-union., 1895-01-29

union, SO salutary, consists mainly in
harmony Of thought and action, he will
no doubt bring 1t TO pass that each of you
! shall persevere in the diligent admins
tration Of the diocesan affairs that one
| shall impede another in matters OF gov
ernment; that one shall not pry into the
| councils and conduct of another; finally,
! that with disagreements eradicated and
esteem maintained you may all work to-
! gether with combined energies TO pro-
mote the glory of the American church
| and the general welfare.
| 1T is difficult to estimate the good re-
| suit which would follow from this ac-
ton of the Bishops. Our own people will
receive ediication and the force of eX-
| ample will have its effect Oh those with
! out, who will be persuaded by this argu-
mont alone what divine apostle has de-
| scended by Inheritance to the ranks of
| the Catholic epiScopate.
Another consideration claims our
earnest attention. All Intelligent men
are agreed, and we ourselves have with
| pleasure to intimate it above, that Amer
lea seems destined for greater things.
Now 1t is our wish that the Catholic
! Church should not only share in, but
! help bring about this prospective great
ness. We deem it right aud proper that
she should, by availing herself of the op-
pOrtunltIes daily presented to her, keep
equal step with the republic in the march
OF improvement, at the same time, by
| striving TO the utmost, by her virtue and
her institutions, to aid in the rapid
| growth of the States. Now she will OBJ
tain both these objects more easily and
abundantly in proportion to the degree
! in which the future shall find her consti-
! tuition perfected. But what is the mean
! ing OF the legation Of which we speak, or
| winch IS It's ultimate aim, except to bring
! it about that the constitution of the
church shall be strengthened, her disci
! pline better fortified. Wherefore, we
| ardenuy desire that this truth should
! sink day by day more deeply into the
! minds of Catholics; namely, that they
! can In no better way safeguard their in
! divldual interests and community than
! by yielding hearty submission and
| obedience to The church."
This closes the reference to the Ameri-
! can delegation, and the Pope proceeds to
! discuss the disSolu bility of marriage.
| The encyclical then refers to the indls-
| solubility of marriage and the deadly
pest OF divorce. The evils of divorce are
| forcibly stated, and the Pope declares
! that divorce is as hostile to the State as to
the family.
AS regards civil affairs, it is urged that
justice be cultivated, and the laws of the
gospel inculcated, without which liberty
Itself may be perniclOus. The value of
| temperance, the frequent use OF sacra-
ments and the observance of the Just laws
conjured.
OF Catholics entering societies of work
lngmen, the encyciical says: Nov with
! regard TO entering societies, extreme care
! should be taken not to be ensnared by
| error. And we wish to be understood as
! referring IN special manner to the
| working classes who aSsuredly have the
! right 10 unite in associations for the pro-
! motion Of their interests; a right ack knOwI-
! edged by the church and unopposed by
nature. But it is very important with
| whom they are TO associate, else whilst
! seeking aims for the Improvement OF
| their condition they may be Importing
| far weightier interests. The most effect
| ual precautlon against this peril is to de-
/ termlne with themselves at no time or in
! any manner to be parties to the violation
! OF justice. Any society, therefore, which
IS ruled by persons who are not steadIaSt
Tor the right and friendly to religion is
capable OF being extremely prejudicial to
the interests as we'll of individuals
as to the community; beneficial it
cannot be. Let this conclusion, there
fore, remain firm - to shun not
only these associations which have been
openly condemned by the judgment of
the church, but also those who in the
opinion OF Intelligent men, especially of
the bishops, are regarded as suspicious
and dangerous. Nay, rather, unless
forced by necessity to do otherwise,
Catholics ought to prefer to associate
with Catholics, which will be very con-
ducive 10 the safeguarding of their faith.
AS Presidents of the societies thus formed
among themselves, it would be well TO
appoint either priests or upright laymen
OF weight and character, guided by whose
counsel they should endeavOr to peace
1ully adopt and carry into effect such
measures as may seem most adYant-
| ageous to their interests, keeping in view
| the rules laid down by US in our encycli-
cal. Reium noYarum.
Let them, however, never allow this
to escape their memory: that whilst it is
proper and desirable to assert and secure
the rights Of the many, yet this is not to
De done by violation OF duty, and thai
these are very important duties, not TO
| touch what belongs to another; allow
! everyone to be free in the management
! of his own affairs; not hinder anyone TO
! dispose OF his services when he pleases
and whore he pleases. The scenes OF
! violation ana riot which you witnessed
| last year in your own country was sufli-
/ cient to aQmoulsh you that America too,
! Is threatened with the audacity and ferO-
| city Of the enemies Of public order. The
! state OF the times, therefore, bids Catho-
| lies to labor for the tranquility of the
| commonwealth and for this purpose TO
| obey the laws, aDhOr violence and seek
/ no more than equity or justice permits"
concerning the press, the enCyclical
! says: Toward those objects much may
/ De contributed by those who have de-
| voted themselves TO writing, and in par
| tlcular to those engaged on the daily
! press. We are aware that already there
are at labor in this field many men of
/ skill and experience, whose dignity de-
/ mands words OF praise rather than OF ell
| couragement. Nevertheless, since the
thirst for reading and knowledge is so
! vehement and widespread among all:
! since, according to circumstances, it can
be productive of either good or evil. et-
forts should be made to increase the num-
/ Der Of intelligent and well-disposed writ
/ ers 10 take religion for their guide and
! virtue tor their constant companion
And this seems all the more necessary
! In America, on account of the familiar
/ intercourse and intimacy between CatnoE
! lies and those who are estranged from the
CathoHc name, condition of things
| which certainly eXactS from our people
/ great clrcumspectlon and more than or
| dlnary frmness. 1t is necessary to in
/ struct, admonish, strengthen and urge
! them on the pursuit of virtus, and to be
/ faithful observers, amid so many occa-
SlOnS, OF their duties toward the church
! 1t Is, OF course, the proper function OF the
/ clergy to devote their careers and ener-
gleS to the work; but the age and the
country require that Journalists should
! be equally Jealous in the same cause, and
labor In it 10 the full evtent of their pow
! ers.
Let them, however, seriously reflect
that their writings. if not precisely preiu-
| olclaI TO religion, will surely be of slight
! service to 1t, unless in accord of minds
! They all seek the same end. Those who
/ desire TO be OF real service TO the church
and with their pens heartily defend the
cause, should carry on the conflict with
! perfect unanlmlty, and as it was with
] fankS-1Or thew nj