The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-14
TEE YorE ON pnorEsrANrs IN ROME.
Leo Kills Letter Against the "Insidious and
onsoienceless Proselyiism Of Hsretcs.
From the Tablet.

From TIE TABLET.
The Pope has written n letter 10 Cardinal
Respi9hi, Vicar Of Rome. about the prOselytiSm
carried on by certain Protestant sccts Ameri-
can Methodists and Baptlsts) and the Walden
sian body. The letter opens thus: From
the very outset Of our Pontiicate We have
had occasion to point out as one Of the most
deplorable evils brought by the new order
Of things to this capital Of the Christian world
tho active proselytiSm displayed on the part
Of heresy and the peril "a which the faith OF
our people was In consequence exposed. And
addressing our Cardinal Vicar on this subject
ian allusion TO the Pontifcal letters Of June
2e. 1878 and March rs. 1870. We repeatedly
impaired TO the faithful exhortations. coun-
sells and warnings. putting them on their guard
against the many efforts which sects OF all
kinds. introduced from abroad. were here
making, under the shelter Of the public law.
in order to spread in the minds Of believers
The poison OF denial and error"
His efforts were not unavaillnR, but OF
late years the evil has greatly increased.
III Il now clear 70 every one from the
evidence Of facts. that the design har-
bored by these heretical scots. which are
a manifold emanation OF P~rotestantism. Ia
to fix the standard Of religious discord and
rebellion in the Peninsula. and chiefly in this
Alma Urbs. IN which God Himself. by an adj
mirnble disposing Of events. placed tho centre
OF that faithful and sublime unity which was
the object Of the prayer addressed by our
Divine Saviour to His Heavenly Father Cohn.
guarded even at the cost Of their lives, and
despite the opposition OF men and, the vsci-
,,I'Idef , Of timsa The ,eecIs no, not being able
themselves for the eNtinguishina or weakening
OF the Catholic faith. OF the unprotected ten
Of the privations Of Indulgence. and OF the sim
pllcity OF many who are exposed TO fiattery,
ATTRACTIONS and seduction.
first Of all. the need OF, publicly declaring.
as we have done on other occasions. how
painful Is the condition Of the Head Of
Va ss Of Rer s@S IIp'H this snf Holy P'V Si3s' Whence SSe
the liiSh, Of truth and Of example, and which
should be the honored seat OF the Vicar OF
Jesus Christ. As. though. the torrent Of un-
wholesome teaching and deprayity. which
daily and with IMMUNITY comes from books.
professors chairs, theatres and journals, were
not enough to all these causes Of perveTsion
OF %heretical men. who, In conflict among them
selves find accord only In traducing the SUI
and the doemas Of our holy religion. the mean
ing of which. and still more the august beauty,
they are unable to understand.
On this account the faithful, who from
all parts, even the most remote. come on
pilgrimage to Rome in order 70 find find
faith, are deeply affected at seeing this soil,
which has been bathed with the blood OF
the martyrs. invaded by sects OF every kind,
intent only upon roofing up rom the soul OF
the people that religion which. none the less,
has been. declared the religion OF the State,
and which forms the principal object OF their
stand, my Lord Cardinal. how painful this
state OF things is 20 our heart. and how lively
Is our desire TO see appropriate remedies APP
together remove the evil. 10 at least lessen It's
gravity and bitterness. And 1t IL for this
reason that we received great consolation
from an excellent work. 20 which we ourselves
gave the inspiration and impulse. which Is
called that OF the Preservation OF the Faith,
and still more from the good results which ii
has begun 70 give, owing TO the untiring care
OF those who direct II or who belong to H."
After warmly re commanding this association
his Holiness continues, " Let all endeavor to,
strengthen the character Of the Catholic people,
by inspiring noble and holy resolutions, and
al the same time by warning the incautious
that under the harmless suise 81 colleges for
youths. seminaries for girls. schools Of foreign
languages, a higher education. assistance 10
needy families. there is hidden the wicked
design Of insinuating In minds and hearts con-
demned heretical principles. let the faithful
be convinced Of the truth. that nothing can be
81 ff that faith sTIt more for rRR ISf'q tSsir tf fsihe ne fe .sfss@TS
faced not only want and misery. but frequently
violent prosecutions and death itself. And
this feeling Of strength cannot but be natural
and deep-rooted In the souls Of this our popu-
lation. which knows well that the Catholic
Church not only possesses divine character
istcs, which distinguish Il as the only true
one. and the only one. which has received the
promises Of immortal life, but that II has also
at all times conferred inestimable benefits
upon Rome. Italy and the world, overcoming
barbarian by. the Justice Of its laws. and the
civilization OF its Manners. spreading. as st.
Leo the Great well says (Serm. I. in Natalie So.
Petri ct PauliD, the sway Of Christian peace
far beyond the limits explored by the Roman
eagles. saving letters. libraries. culture and
monuments; inspiring every order Of science
and art. giving help 10 the weak. the poor. and
The downtrodden. by generous affection and
the msgnanImity. OF sacrifice and heroism."
His Holiness ends with the hope that not a
single Roman may be seduced BY this insidious
and constituencies proselytism. For is carrying
on, az the missionary reports published by the
various centres show, British and American
gold Is ALMOST entirely 10 be thanked. Though
the Waldensian organization NAV not have
been IN the view Of the Pope whom he wrote
this letter, II /; not the least active. and II also