The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1903-12-07
1t Uas BY His Suffering
He Redeemed the U10rld

PARIS Dec. The Motm publishes
an interview with Pope Plus y, which
was recently obtained by Henri dies
llouX. the famous French journalist,
This is the first interview which the
pope has given. 1t deal0 largely with
the church situation in France Refer
ring to the troubles of the Catholics
in France, the pope said:
'Lct them not forget that they are
eRroled in the church militant. They
are subjected to tribulatons, but is
not that the lot that Christ preferred
during his life on earth? He might
have been born and have lived a. a
king, but he preferred the condition
Of an artisan. He was even offered
the crown and scepter OF gold and all
terrestrial grandeur. He preferred d
crown of thorns. a reed for a sceptcr,
and. if he consented to be exalted
above other men, il was on the cross
OF infamy. 1t was by his suiferinGs
his humiliations. his scourgings and
by his ignominious punishment that
he redcmmed and saved the world. lie
did not promise to his church~terres-
trial Joys and triumphs. He foretold
for it struggles and trials. Ii was ut
the cost of martyIlom that he reserv-
ed victory for it, and that victory
was not to be human, The French
Catholics. in the midst of their bitter
fate. must look to Christ. Their suffer
ings will never he equal to his 1t IS
by approaching him that they will
learn patience. 1t is in him that they
will find the union and the strength
to bear persecution, even should it
become more intense than at present.
Christ is their model and the gospel
points out their duty. Our savior tray
eled through towns, villages and coun-
tries preaching to the crowds good
words Of kindness and charity. In like
manner the French Catholics must not
he ashamed to go into the public places.
even though they should meet with
their enemies, not to claim from Caesar
the things which are Caesars. not to
promote human interests nor to give
way to party passions, but assert their
faith. demand their freedom and give
evidence of their fraternal nnion and
their virtue.
w vi VIC tuUIfu diiN
Of peoples is in Christ. That is the
model, and il is God that gave it to
mankind. The conception of God in
his immensely. his eternity, and in his
omnipotencc passes human understand
ing The most profound thcologians,
the most subtle philosophers can only
form a faint conception of the divine
majesty. That is why God sought to
manifest himself to man by the incar-
nation of his son. He gave them, not
only for their redemption, but also for
their guidance through life, the admir-
able example of the God made man
who is the intermediary between hui
man inirmity and divine omnipotence.
To draw nearer to them God combin-
ed all the graces and all human virtues
in a woman whom he destined to inter-
cede for mankind with the most high.
,'Iic has also placed in their midst
the pope. who has been installed as
successor to the prince of the apoS-
ties, to bold in his keeping the dog
mns and the unity OF the faith-the
pope. who IL only human being with
all human weaknesses and who solely
derives what authority he possesses
from the perpetual assistance promised
by the almighty to the church and TO
its head. Ii Catholics never lose sight
"a Of the image of Christ, of his mother
If they regulate their conduct on di-
vine models and on the precepts of the
gospel, how small will appear to them
the prescriptions of parties, in SO far.
at all events, as they tend to merely
human ends and aims. BY fidelity 70
Christ they will impose on others re.
speet for their liberties and their rights.
Nobody viii be able TO accuse thom
of bcinG the enemies of the state. 1t
is true that they have to deal with re-
douhtablc foes. The enemy Of all divine
and human order is assiduously at work
spreading discord hatred and inpatient
envy. A society founded on the prin-
cples Of the evil spirit is already hell
upon earth. And see in your own
country, they have lately entered upon
n policy which I would qualify as del
cidal, for in mocsting the faithful,
it is Christ who Is attacked. II is
thrists humiliati0ns aud torturcs that
they seek TO renew.
at H. therefore, around Christ that
the faithful mist group themselves in
perfect concord. The slightest division