The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-22
A LETTER FROM THE POPE.
Reproof Of Opinions Expressed in
the ssLife of Father Hecker."

ROME, Feb. 81. The "Oszeravater
Roma" will publish tonight letter
from the Pope to Cardinal Gibbons,
saying:
IF the term 'Americanism' signifies
quality as peculiar to Americans and
usages adapted to their customs, then
we have nothing to say against it, but
if it denotes the opinions expressed in
the Life of Father Hecker, we are
convinced that the American Bishops
will be the first to reject them
The Pope's letter especially rerroves
opinions concerning relaxation OF dis
cipline and non-observance o. dec
trinal points, as a pretext for attract
ing dissenters to Catholicism, the dl-
rection of souls by inspiration of the
Holy Ghost, independent of priestly
control. the diversion of virtue into
active or passive CRITICISMS of the OLD
religious orders, and concerning unu-
sual methods of preaching Catholicism
to dissenters.
The letter, which occupies five col
umns in the 'sObservatore Romano,
begins by lauding Cardinal Gibbons
and the American Catholics. Abiding
to the many proofs of good will he has
given them in the past. the Pope wishes
them to see in the present document
another proof OF his affection for Amer
lea.
While he makes it clear that the let
ter is one of warning at certain refer
enees to the Life of Father Hecker,
his Holiness carefully distinguishes be-
tween the doctrinal aspects of the new
theories and questions of practical dis
cipline, and strongly urges the impos--
sibility of any change in the former
While admitting that the church has
always recognized and acted upon the
necessity of adopting certain points Of
discipline to modern requirements, it
rests with the church. the Pope points
out, and not with individuals, to de-
termine how and when such adapta-
tons can be made.
.All virtues, says His Holiness.
must necessarily be active. The con-
tempt shown by innovators for what
they are pleased to call the passive vir-
tues has naturally led to a contempt
of religious life as suited only to the
weak and as an impediment to Chris
tian perfection and to the good of the
community
This error the Pope energetically con-
dennis, declaring it sinjudicious to the
religious orders and in contradiction to
history :"
He reminds the Americans of their
Indebtedness to the religious orders.
both active and contemplative.
The letter arouses deep interest in
Rene. The Liberal papers declare
that it constitutes solemn NANTES
tation of the intransigeant spirit in
Catholicism" and predict that it will
produce an immense effect in America.
LONDON, Feb. 22.-The Rome cor
respondent of the Times" says: Cen
orally speaking, the encyclical is re-
garded as a qualified condemnation of
the Hecker doctrines. 1t would be err
roneous to suppose that it condemns or
directly affects Cardinal Gibbons,
Archbishop Ireland or the group of en-
Hghtened prelates who have SO largely
contributed to the spread of Roman
Catholicism in the United States. 1t
is partly the outcome of a deep laid,
long matured intrigue, and if this is the
only result Of twelve months plotting,
it is clear that the letter will strengthen
rather than weaken the position of the
American prelates whom the intrigue
was intended to overthrow. Throughout
the bitter phases of the bitter conflict
which preceded its publication, the
Pope displayed a prudence and per-
spicacity astonishing in man of his
age, placed in a position where I'M
biased information is not readily forth
coming