The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-29
THE POPE's ENCYCLICAL.

The Popes encyclical on socialism is
interesting both for what it contains and
because. owing to his great age and feeble
ness, 1t may be the last one he will issue.
An encyclical is a circular ecclesiastical
letter, and the Pope may issue one when
ever he thinks circumstances require. but
they usually relate to important matters
and are not issued frequently. The pres
ent one is the fourth issued by Pope Leo
XIII, three of which have dealt with vary
ing phases OF socialism. His different en-
cyclicals reflect his views regarding vari-
Gus subjects, and on the whole are indie
alive of broadening humanity and pro-
gressive ideas. His first one, issued in
April, 1878, a few weeks after his election
as Pope, was very long and pessimistic
in tone. AT the outset it declared that "In
these first days of our pontificate we find
ourselves i'm face of woes that are weighing
down the whole human race" 1t cited
many moral and social evils which con-
stituted "a death-dealing plague that is
creeping through the pulses of society, that
never permits it to have rest and is the
portent of new upheavals and of woeful
ruin 1t abounded with such expressions
as flaws uprooting the Divine constitu-
ton of the Catholic Church, "a licentious
and wicked freedom of teaching and pub
lishing;'' this age that is in bitter an
Christ" and so on. This encyclical was
protest against civil progress and a de-
mand for a return to all the ancient ways
of the church. 1t was an ecclesiastical
wall. The next one. issued in 1882 after re-
viewing the spread of anti-C Christian ideas,
urged Catholic peoples everywhere to en-
courage associations OF youth ito nourish
and increase awakened virtue, for the re-
lief Of the poor, for the observance of
holy days, for the instruction of the chill
dren of the poor. and the like" This was
an advance on the first one. A third en-
cycical, issued in 1883, condemned the Irish
plan of campaign, especially boycotting,
and emphasized the duty of observing con-
tracts and respecting individual rights.
This showed still growing sympathy with
human interests. The present encyclical
is a strong plea for broader Christianity.
or as the Pope phrases it, for christian
democracy" That is an expressive phrase
and one which all the churches could well
afford to adopt and put in practice As
its cornerstone and prime duty the Pope
urges the consideration of social ques-
TONS the relief of the poor and the ameli-
grafton Of the lot of the working classes.
those Catholics who consecrate themselves
TO the work of improving and lettering
the condition of the poor and of bringing
about the condition which he terms Chris
covering period of twenty-three years.
show decided change on the part of the
Pope In the direction of closer sympathy
with human affairs and interest in the tenn
poral as well as the spiritual welfare OF
| mankind. From being narrow ecclesiastic
the Pope has become a broad philan-
thropist. Time and age have softened him.
He has not yet surrendered the fond and
sovereignty, and probably never will, as
he thinks his duty to the papal office re-
quires him 10 cling to ii. but in other re-
| spects he has softened and broadened very
much. His latest encyclical. and possibly
his last. evinces spirit OF broad human
| itarianism that would reflect honor on the
! head Of any church. His appeal for the