The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-05-14
The Catholic clergy are Praying to
God TO Bless Our Country.


God To Bless Our Country.
WASHINGTON, d. C., May S.-Since
the beginning OF the war with Spain.
and especially since the Jordan dis
patches recently attacked the patGiot-
ism Of the Roman Catholic hierarchy
OF the United States, the Archbish0Ds
and Bishops have been devising some
method Of making their position clear
before the people of America. They
have finally agreed to issGe circular
letter addressed to the clergy and laity
of the Roman Catholic Church in the
United states. This better will be
read in every church in the country
next Sunday.
it declares that the duty of loyal
American Roman Catholics. next to
their duty to God, is patriotically to
support their country in the war with
Spain. 1t directs the priests of the
church to pray daily for the soldiers
and sailors who may fall in battle,
;tnd for d glorious victory that shall
restore peace. The circular has been
endorsed by Mgr. Martinelli, apos-
tOlic delegate, and reads as follows:
TO the Clergy and Laity of the
Catholic Church of the United States
Greeting: The events that have sue
ceeded the blowing up of the battle
ship Maine and the sacrifice of 266 in
nocent victims, the patriotic seamen
of the United States, have eliminated
in war between Spain and .our own
beloved country
Whatever may have been the indi-
viGual opinion of Americans prior to
the declaration of war, there can now
be no two opinions as to the duty of
every loyal American citizen. \ re-
sort to arms was determined upon by
the chief executive of the nation with
the advice of both houses of congress
and after consultation with his cabi-
net officers. but not until every effort
had been exhausted to bring about an
honorable and peaceful solution of
our difficulties with Spain. The pa
tient calmness, the dignified forbear-
ance. the subdued firmness of Presi-
dent Mckinley during the trying time
that interviewed between the destruc-
tiOn OF the Maine and the declaration
are beyond all praise and should COM
mand the admiration of every true
American.
1--WE, the members of the Catholic
Church, are true Americans. and as
such are loyal to our country and our
flag and Obedient to the highest de-
crees and the supreme authority of
the nation. We are not now engaged
in war of section against section or
state against state, but We are united |
as one against foreign enemy and a |
common foe. If, as we are taught by |
our holy church, loYe of country is |
next to love of God, duty imposed |
upon us by all laws, human and di- |
vine, then it is our duty to labor and |
to pray for the temporal and spiritual |
well being of the brave soldiers who |
are battling for our beloved country.
Let US faithfully beg the god of
battles to crown their arms on land |
and sea with victory and triumph and
stay unnecessary effusion of blood
and speedily to restore peace to our
beloved land and people.
''To this end we direct that on and
after the receipt of this circular and
until the close of this war every priest
shall in his daily mass pray for the
restoration of peace by a g.erious
victory for our flag. We also direct
that prayers for the brave soldiers !,
and sailors that fall in battle be said |,
every day after mass. These prayers /
shall be said aloud with the people
and shall be one Our Father aud one
Hail Mary and the DE Profunds.'
1--WE pray that God may bless and
preserve our country in this great /
crisis and speedily bring victory, hon
or and peace to all our people,
As this letter will reach every mem
Der of the Catholic Church in the next
week, the Archbishops hope to accom- I
plish much good by its means.