The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-01-31
LEO'S LAST LETTER.
The Pope Issues an Encyclical on
Socialism.

Rome, Jan. 2s.-The pope's encycli-
cal on socialism was issued Friday.
1t is dated January is and says dis
tinction must be carefully drawn be-
tween socialism and the movement
among Catholics referred to in his
previous encyclicals on social ques-
lions, which is called Christian de-
mocraey. The first only concerns it.
self with material wealth and social
equality, whereas Christian democ-
racy, while seeking material ameliora-
ton, has spiritual amelioration in
view.
The pontiff concludes with exhort-
ing Catholics to inspire themselves
with these principles and to inculcate
them. They must urge the people
and workmen to shun everything in
vested with seditious or revolution
airy character, respect the rights of
others, be respectful to their masters
and observe sobriety and religious
practices. Thus will social peace
again become fiourishing throughout
the world
The pope commences with recalling
his two previous encyclicals on social
questions, quod apostolic numeris and
rerum novarum, and says the sequel
of these encyclicals was that the
Catholics devoted all their activity to
social works, in order to help the
working classes. The pontiff here re-
views all that has been done in this
direction, the foundation of labor bu-
reaus, funds established for the bene-
fit of the rural classes and working
mems associations of all kinds. He
considers the appeLation christian
socialism" incorrect and says Catho-
lies who occupy themselves with So
cial questions are sometimes also
called christian democrats" But
even this quotation is attacked by
some people as being Astounding.
Distinction Must BE Drawn.
Divergences having arisen there
from, the pope ardently desires to
eliminate them. Careful distinction
must be drawn between socialism and
Christian democracy. The first con-
Germs itself solely with material pos
sessions, always seeking to establish
perfect equality and common hold
ing of goods. Christian democracy,
on the contrary, respects the princi-
pies of divine law, and while seeking
material amelioration has in view the
spiritual welfare of the people. Chris
tian democracy, moreover, must not
be COMPOUNDED with political democ-
racy, for the first can, and ought to,
subsist, as does the church herself,
under the most varied political reg
lines. Christian democracy also
ought to respect the laws of legiti-
mate civil authority. The appellation
"Christian democracy" therefore con-
tains nothing which might offend
anyone. These divergences having
now been dispelled, Catholics should
continue to devote their cares to So
ciaI questions and the amelSration of
the lot of the working classes. The
pope encourages the zeal and action
of those Catholics who consecreate
themselves to this eminently useful
work.
Commends Giving of Aims.
The encyclical eulogizes the giving
of aims, which the socialists wrongly
regard as insulting to the poor.
Aims, on tire contrary, serve to tight
en- the ties of social charity. 1t mat
tiers little whether TINS action of Cath
olics in favor of the working classes
is called the social action of Catholics
or Christian democracy. The essen
tial point is that Catholics should act
together to preserve the community
of effort and sentiment. Idle, useless
questions ought therefore never to be
brought up in the press or public as
semblies. Catholics must act so as
not to engage in disputes.
The pontiff concludes with eXhort-
ing Catholics to inspire themselves
with these principles and to inculcate
them. They must urge the people
and workmen to shun everything in
vested with a seditious or revolution
airy character, respect the rights of
others, be respectful to their masters
and observe sobriety and religious
practices. Thus will social peace again
become fourishing throughout the
world