Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-03-02
noMANisM N AMERICA.

Leo XIII. the head ~ the Roman
Catholic church. today. March 2. enters
upon the ninetieth year of his aEe.
on the goth u February h. commenced
the end year Of his pontinoate. This
IL considered worthy ~ note Tor the
reason that ~ all his ptcdecoauors. sup
posed 90 be- go In number. only fevcn
have occupied the papai throne for
twenty-one years, or more. The aver
age reign Of pope Il said TO b. about
seven years Ten popcs died within a
month after their election, aud one.
stephen II. occupied his position only
three days.
Lately his holiness has been suffering
from an Illness. which. it was feared.
might terminate fatally. But n the
official reports concerning his condition
after the operation are reliable. Loo
may Jet live 10 celebrate tho twenty
NTH anniversary u his pon,lncatc. ~
ala his predecessor. Plus TX. Leo i In
every respect remarkable man. ono
81 his nrst declarations after his cleo
tion was q confirmation Of the claims
VI N'ANN " ANWNINNNMA NFNFNH NWh N'A
withdrawing this attitude his NE has
been devoted 10 peace EFFORTS. In Ger
many he was cmincntiy unceeasfui In
neutraiizlng the effects 81 tho anti
catholic laws IN Russia he pleaded
successfully the cause 81 tho Catholics.
and h. opened negotiations with the
Oriental achlamhtios for closer roia-
tlonr with Rome. lie has given much
attention to the Affairs ~ the church
In America and often demonstrated
that the pipacy. while infalllblc and
interchangeable. II ny no means opposed
TO republican form OF civil govern
moni.
Ia his latest cnrvclicai 10 Cardinal
Gibbons. dated Rome. Jan =, this year.
the pope fully explains the attitude OF
the church on this matter. iIc takes
issue with the Idea that the church
should shape hor teachings IN accord
with the spirit of rho age. relax hci
ancient severity or make concessions 90
new opinions. such concessions. he
points out. cannot be- made In doctrine.
which H. q matter 81 revelation and not
philosophical speculation; II may be
made In che manner of living, but not
according 60 the judgment Of private
individuals. There l.. the pope says.
a danger Of confouniing license with
liberty. and tendency to pour con-
tempt upon all possible subjects q
faith. and therefore there IL grcatci
need Of the teaching Office u ,he
church than ever before. lest people
become unmindfui OF both conscience
and duty.
lie takes palms 10 prove thar ho has
no fault To nnd with the American PEG
pie. their laws or their characteristics.
but h. would chcck the tendency Go
introduce into che church that free
spirit which u characteristic " our
political and social ne. lic ursca that
tho church In America can be- In mo-
wise different FROM what she II IN the
r,st OF the world. "rhc true church Il
ono as by unity or doctrine. 90 BY
unity N government. and nhc Il catho-
ne also. Since GOD has placed the ccn-
ter and foundation ~ unity In the chair
~ blessed Pcser. she h rightly called
the Roman church. Tor where Peter II
there u the church.
The entire letter H. nrm az a rock.
Is Keynote IL that there can be- no such
thing "a an American Catholicism. dis.
iinct from tho European form, and this
declaration. II the pope now should be
called away suddenly from earth. may
be- regarded u.s. his last Will to the
church-thc principle on which Roman
ism In this country must continue 70
build,