The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
POPE TO FRENCH BISHOPS.
IN NEW ENCTCLICAL LEO PRO-
CLAIMS MS IOVE FOR FRANCE.

Speaks of Her Mission and Her Greatness
at a Time Whom the Republics Enemies
Expected Him to Keep Saskatchewan
Practically n Blessing on Democracy.
ROME, Sept 1S-The eneyclcal to the French
bishops Ia written in French and m axes thirty.
seven pages. 1t was prepared by Cardinals
Fcrrata. Satolli and Mgr. Tabarelli. But ID
was Leo XIII. who. after having made the
sketch OF 1t. put the finishing touches to II.
That encyolcal, as 10 well known. was to ap-
pear early this winter: but tho perndous ex.
plotation which the reactionists of all shades
and Of all countries gave to the letter Of the
Pope to Cardinal Gibbons. and to the decree OF
the Congregation OF Bishops and regulars
caused the adjournment of its publication
The enemies OF the Papacy even announced
that this doctrnal document amounted TO
condemnation OF the socialistic Catholics. the
democratic priests and laymen.
To put stop to this lying campaign. Loo
XIII was obliged to send to the Archbishop OF
Bourges q precise and severe letter. in which
he stigmatized tho intrigue and reiterated his
republican and democratic instructions Com.
menting upon the Pontihcal letter. Mgr. Ser.
vonnet declared that It was aimed directly at
all the reaction lists. and that 1t condemned
their policy.
The present encyclical shows clearly that
the on envy shouted victory too soon. 1t forms
the logical development and the authentic
confirmation. solemn and irrevocable. of the
doctrines OF Leo XIII.
Everybody knows that the reactionists and
enemies OF the French republic have Of late
exercised considerable pressure on the Vatican
with view to the burial OF union on the one
hand and the separation OF the Holy Father
/ and the Papacy from France. The Dreyfus epi-
sode presented splendid opportunity to
compel the Pope to keep silent and remain in-
active. What was to be expected from a coun-
| try given over to dscori and anarchy What
madness II was to fancy that the Repu bile
could ever be wise. well balanced and
| eff,cacious for the we'll being and adj
! vancement of the people without turning
back directly. would IL not be better to remain
| silent and reserved2 But Leo XIII did not
think that he should listen to such advice. He
proclaimed his love for France. He confirmed
her mission and her greatness at the moment
when all her Jealous rivals and her enemies
! we're preparing to welcome her hopeless down.
| fall in a most wretchsd adventure. II would
| be fastidious to point to the value OF that con-
| duct
From social and democratic point OF view
the encyclicnl to the French bishops Is not
alone the browning OF the Roman doctrines; 10
10 the approval and the blessing OF the demo-
cratic and social priests That 10 a long dis.
lance from condemnation. For this the Pope
names his conditions: on the one hand recti-
tude. discretion and purity. aud on the other,
submission to the authority OF the bishops and
ons you'd have to be beret OF ali com
sense before contending that democratic coh-
the D pa ss seEy Tud ,n %py
thority. The democratic abbes IN France are
priests who have taken their doctrines and
fellow men. They. are the Jealous servants Of
eternal causes; and that is the reason why they
become the lever OF immense Religious infu-
encer. Here and there there may be differences
%as % RI:
priests have constantly declared that they were
most devoted OF sahin.
though IN, We have Witnessed the rsfractor;
during the past three years insu,ting the
Of am FatSSr HeeEer We Never called down The
thunder. q Rome upon those Jaeobite Catho:
for ali the adversaries Of the Pontllcal direc:
r poor p aG A 1 seneray ali such
q nGss to Ro%e
The, third among the leading themes o! the ne
r.,a has aea
turec. the renewal ,oi ethods the deyeIopmen.
modern necessitiss-In all these matters Leo
XIII has marked the exact movement Of
sanction Of the efforts OF the clerical flit.
in France in favor OF the rejuvenatton OF
aries in France the system OF the seventeenth
century, INTRODUCED by Cardinal de Berulle.
Pere Olies and Saint Vincent de Paul is piomsly
preserved with Jealous care. Perfect at that
Period. it is now lnsufticlent, Loo XII recon-
mends progress aud adaptation to modern con-
ditions.
That Is som ething which is bound to last and
which will haze a most salutary effect upon the
church Of France. The Pontihcnte. the plan o
campaign or rather the manierp, traitti2na
and prog ssivn. antique and modern, Of Leo
XIII ia developing 1t IL glorious patrlmony
Permit me to close with an a illusion which thu
Pope makes to',Amercanism. i proves tha'
Leo Kill. in writing his letter to Cardin ii b.
hons, aimed at the tendencies which. undei
the cover OF "Americanism." were endeavorina
to gain ioothold on the Contin4nt