The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-31
THE PoPE's BRIEF ON CUBA.
Clergy AdIured to Keep Out of Politics
and to Foster Education.

A summary of the popes brief In re-
gard to Cuba and Porto Rico. sent to
Archbishop Chapelle of New Orleans, as
papal delegate to those islands, has been
received. In the message the pope refers
to the change of government In the is
lands and the necessity for providing for
the new conditions, as he did by appoints
ing a new delegate. and by decreeing on
| September 4. 1901, that Cuba should be
governed enthusiastically, by the same
laws as the church in Latin America, en-
acted in Rome in 1899. These provisions.
the pope goes on to say did not seem to
be sufficient for the necessities of the is
land, hence the present brief. aetum PROF.
clare.
Leo XIII. erects the new dioceses of
Pnar del Rio and Cienfuegos. which COM
prise, respectively, the provinces of Pinar
del Rio and the civil province of Santa
Clara The Metropolitan shall be. for all,
the Archbishop of Santiago The diocese
of Porto Rico Is taken away from the
Metropoitans province and made SUBJ
ject Immediately, TO the Holy See.
He wishes the sees of Santiago and Ha-
vana to retain their chapters of canons
If, however. circumstances do not permit
the full quota, at least ten canons are to
be supported. The new sees must also
have their canons. In comforting benefces
and canonries the laws of the council of
Latin America are to be preserved
The pope then speaks Of the necessity of
sacred and profane learning for those who
are to hold ministerial office In the do
| ceses and of the care which the bishops
ought to exercise to foster In their priests
the virtues which beat their state. His
words on not meddlng In political mat
| tiers are very pointed lie wishes men in
sacred orders to abstain entirely (omnino
abstineanD from such pursuits They are
| to foster fraternal love. and to give no
| ground for envy. To procure this spirit
the bishops are to summon the priests
| yearly for the exercise of a spiritual re-
treat. The usual conferences for the dis
| cussion of theological questions are to be
held and care taken to erect semlnaries
for the proper education of the future
| clergy of Cuba. The pope recommends
especially the Collegio Latino-Ameri-
cano. at Rome. He wishes at least two
young men from each of the Cuban do
ceses to be sent there and that when they
shall have finished. others to succeed
them TO be selected.
He commends the sedulous care OF
schools for youth and colleges for both
sexes. word Of praise Is bestowed on
the religious bodies who have worked so
well in Cuba. The pope wishes their num-
Der to be increased. and that houses shall
be erected In more places, In which at
least eight religious men shall live, whose
duty shall be to preach to the people and
| to teach them.
/ As soon as the new sees are filed
provincial council Is to be convolSed by
the apostolic delegate. at which ne shall
| preside. The pope urges the Cubans to
persevere In the faith of their fathers, to
keep the unity of the faith In the bond Of
peace. to give due honor to the heads Of
the republic "republicoe proepositos debito
honore prosequantur." The execution OF
these provisions is committed to the del
| egate.