The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-02-11
POPE LEO ON SOCIALISM
ISSUES IMPORTANT ENCYCLICAG
on THE SUBJECT.
Warns Catholics Not to Join in Useless
DEMONSTRATIONS Christian Demo-
cracy to Christian Socialism.

ROME. January 26.-The Pope's en-
CyClical on socialism was issued today.
1t is dated January 18th and says a dis
tinction must be carefully drawn be-
tween socialism and the movement
among Catholics reviewed i'm his previ-
GUS encyClical on the socialistic subject
and which was called Christian de-
moCraCy.
The Pope commences by recalling his
two previous enCyCliCals on social uueS-
tions. and says the sequel of these en-
CyClcals was that the Catholics devoted
all their activity to social works to help
the working classes. The Pontiff here
reviews all that has been done in this
direction-the foundation of labor bu-
reaus, funds established for the benefit
of the rural classes and wOrkingmen's
associations of all kinds. He considers
the appelation christian socialism
incorrect, and says Catholics who oc-
Cupy themselves with social questions
are sometimes also called Christian
democrats But even this title is at
tackled by some people as being ill
sounding. Divergences have arisen
thCrefrOm. and the Pope ardentiy de-
sires to eliminate them.
a careful distinction must be drawn
between socialism and Christian de-
mocracy. The first concerns itself solely
with material possessions, always seek
common holding of goods Christian
democracy, on the contrary. respects
the principles of divine law, and, while
seeking a material ameliOration, has in
view the spiritual welfare of the peo-
pie. Christian democracy, moreover,
must not be COMPOUNDED with political
democracy, for the first can and ought
to subsist as does the church herself
under the most varied and political
regimes. Christian democracy also
ought to respect the laws of legitimate
civil authority. The appelation Chris
tian democracy therefore, contains
which might offend any one
These divergences having now been dis
PEELED, Catholics should continue to de-
vote their cares to social questions and
betterment of the working classes. The
Pope encourages the zeal and action
of those Catholics who consecrate them
selves to this eminently useful work
The enCyclical eulogiZes giving of
aims, which the socialists wrongly re-
gard as insulting to the poor. Aims. on
the contrary, serve to tighten the ties
of social charity. 1t m1tte.'s little
whether this action of Catholics In
favor of the working classes is called
the social action of Catholics or Chris
tian democracy. The essen :idI point
is that Catholics must act together t.
preserve the community of effort and
sentiment. Idle. useless questions
ought therefore never to be bought up
in the press or public assemblies. Cain
olics must act so as not to engage in
disputes.
The POntiff concludes with an e,nor-
tation to Catholics to ms 3ire them
selves with these principles and to ir-
Culcate them. They must urge the
people and wOrkmen t. shun everything
invested with a seditiOus or revoIu-
tiOnary character. respect the rights of
others, be respectful NJ their masters.
and observe sobriety and relig; Dus prac-
tees. Thus will social peace again be-
come flourishing throughout the world.