The Washington times., 1902-03-03
Prayers for the Spiritual and
Temporal Welfare of Pc
ter'S Successor.
NOW IN HIS GATH YEAR
first Act of His Pontihcate Was Restor-
alton of Hierarchy in Scotland-Issued
His First Encyclical on Easter Sun
day, April ri, 1878.

OrS MS holiness, rope Leu ALL, oh LHo
twenty fifth anniversary of his corona
tion. Special prayers are being said in all
the churches for his spiritual and tenn
poral welfare and also that of the chu-ch.
In some of the dioceses the archbishops
and bishops have issued special instruc-
tions as to the manner in which the day
is to be observed Archbishop Corrigan
of the New York Diocese. has addressed
a long pastoral letter to the clergy and
laity. in which he prescribed special re-
ligious exercises and the taking up of a
special collection to be added to the
Peters Pence. In Ire Baltimore Diocese.
of which this city is part. no special
services have been prescribed. as far as
can be ascertaired.
The pontifcate of Plus TX terminated
early in the year 1878, when Humbert. the
father of the present King of Italy, sue
ceeded Victor Emmanuel on January II.
Plus TX protested. On February Plus
TX gave his last allocution to the car
dinals, dying five days later. History re-
ports that the election of a new Pope had
been looked forward to with anxiety, but
no obstacles were raised by the new mas
tiers of Rome to the assembling of the
conclave. On February IS, 1878, the car
dinals met to the number of sixty. Two
days later Cardinal Joachim Pecci. the
present Pontiff, received forty-five votes
aad took the name of Leo XIII.
Celebrates Birthday.
Yesterday his Holiness celebrated his
ninety third birthday, having been born at
Carpineto on March 2, 1910. Twentyfour
years ago today he was crowned Pope in
.he basilica of st. Peters in Rome. where
the public announcement of his election
was made and the new Pope gave his
blessing. He had shown ability in govern
ment as delegate at Spoleto and Perugia.
and in diplomacy as nuncio to Belgium.
He had been Archbishop of Perugia since
January 10, 1886 He communicated his
election to the Powers.
The first act of Leo's pontifcate was
the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy
in Scotland. On his accession he appoint
ed Cardinal F-+Gcili secretary of state
and master of the sacred Talaces; Car
dinal Simeoni. secretary of the propa-
ganda; Cardinal Sacconi, prodataTy, and
Cardinal Morochini. chamberlain.
On Easter Sunday April 81, 1873, at his
coronation, Leo issued his first encyclcai.
in which he foreshadowed his policy.
Pope Leo XIII, opening intercourse with
the Emperor of Germany and the Republic
of Switzerland. paved the way to negoti-
ations having in view some notifications
of the severe laws which had for long
time deprived Catholics of churches and
clergy, but no definite point was reached
at the time.
prelate was sent to st. Petersburg to
effect. IL possible. an arrangement with
the Russian Government by which the
Catholic Poles of both rites might be re-
lieyed from the regulations under which
thousands Of priests and people had been
banished TO Siberia, but no mitigation was
obta lined. No direct communication was
held with King Humbert, Pope Leo XIII
continuing the attitude assumed by Plus
TX
He encouraged the Catholic societies of
Italy to labor especially for the Christian
education of youth. ard when the new
Government prohibited religious instruc-
tion in the schools Pope Leo, in a letter
TO Cardinal Monaco la Valetta. protested
in vigorous language against this meas
ure Of the Italian Government.
Filled Vacancies.
On July Is Leo XIII in consistory. ap-
Bishops, and filed some vacancies in the
Pontifcsl Court.
In Germany the prosecutions under the
Falk "Mai-Gesetze" continued and the
few religious houses to which any in
dulgences had been shown were closed. An
immense number Of arrests were made at
Marpingen, and long series of judicial
investigations. in order 10 base Govern
ment prosecutions against the Catholic
priests and others who had expressed
their belief in the reality of the appari-
tion of the Blessed Virgin at that place,
but they resulted in the acquittal of all
accused.
In Switzerland the churches at Chene,
Compessieres. conignon and verniere
were seized by the state Council and
transferred to the old Catholics. Bishop
yermillod protested from his exile. after
the Catholics of Geneva had laid before
their countrymcu the extent OF their suf-
feriugs by persecution
In Russia the stringent treatment OF
the United Greeks continued. and the con
dition CT the vast numbers of Catholic
priests and laynen exiled to Siberia was
revealed by the Rev Mr. Mielechawicz.
who escaped after fifteen years banish-
ment. On March II Norway passed a, act
modifying greatly the oppression of other
than the Lutheran State denomination,
and extending still more liberty given By
the act Of lS45.
In America Bishop Conroy. of Ardagh
who had as delegate apostolic adjusted
most satisfactorily several delieate ques-
tions and difficulties in the Catholic
Church in the British provinces, was about
10 fulfill a similar mission in the United
States. when he died at st. Johns, n
F.. on August 4.
The Catholic Church in the United
States had always been regarded as that
in a Missionary country. and the canon
law had not been introduced in form. II
had long been matter OF serious exami-
nation at Rome when this temporary ar
rangement might end. The numerous ap-
peals TO Rome by priests led the con-
gregation Of the Propaganda to issue on
July 90 1873. instructions as TO examin-
ing and deciding clerical cases, whether
OF crime or OF discipline.
Examine All Charges.
This important act of the Holy See
excited great differences of opinion as to
its meaning and effect The archbishops
and bishops of the United States pro-
cceded to appoint in their respective dio-
ccses ''judices causarum," who, like