The Washington herald., 1907-01-12
TRIED TO AVOID WAR
POpe's Encyclical Tells Cath
Olics His Motives.
HOPES TO COMFORT FRENCH
Predicts Final Victory for Church
and Explains Why He Was Forced
90 Condemn Separation Law-De-
clares 1t Was Simply a Measure of
COnflscatiOR OF Property.

Rome, Jan. 1.-THE Osservatore Ro-
mRno to-day published the text of an en-
eyclical addressed by the Pope to the
French Catholics. In this document the
pOntiff said that HIS chief object in ad-
dressing the faithful in France was to
comfort them in their sufferings, which
he felt deeply.
There was. however, great consolation
IN the fact that the Catholics Of France
we're united. The French governments
declaration Of war was not only against
the Christian faith. but against all spirit
uaI ideas. The French Catholics must be
prepared for all sorts of trials. but they
were certain Of final victory. This meant
the maintenance Of their union with the
Holy See, which was OF the greatest i'm
portance.
Did Not Desire War.
The church did not desire a religious
war, involving violent prosecutions. Being
a messenger Of peace and carrying out
her mission Loyalty. the church did not
willingly expose herself to war and per-
secutions, as she did not desire to see her
children suffering.
Regarding the ecclesiastical properties
the encyelical said the Pope had not
abandoned them. The French govern
ment had imposed on the Catholics of
France an organization which the church
was absolutely unable to accept. The
church could not prevent the unjust
spoliation in progress, for as the proposed
cultural associations were opposed TO the
hierarchy established by Christ, the Pope
condemned them. in spite Of the conse-
quent material injuries. To say that this
disposed OF the abandoned" properties
of the church was adding derision to
spoliatfon.
It was false to state that the pontin
condemned in France what he approved
in Germany, as the German cultural as
sociations were merely tolerated, al
though they recognized the hierarchy.
The Holy See might have tolerated an
annual declaration for the exercise OF
public wOrship-although il did not offer
legal guarantee that the exercise of
public worship would be permitted-had
it not been for the impossible position in
which NJ. Brands circular placed the
parish priests.
Calls IL Law of COnfiscation.
Continuing, the encyclical said that the
separation law OF 1868 was simply a law
of conhscation. and in regard TO the ex-
eTcise of public worship il was an an
archicaI measure introducing arbitrari-
ness and uncertainty everywhere and ag-
gravating the former law. Therefore,
the Pope condemned il.
In conclusion the Pope appealed TO the
.F
recognize that the papacy IN acting as
it has. did so because it did not wish 10
humiliate any trivial officers or oppose
any form of government. but defended
with all its strength the work OF the
Divine Founder Of the church, demand
ing respect for the hierarchy and the
inviolability of its property and liberty"
The papacy wished 10 remind the world
that imam must concern himself here be
low with higher ideals than the occur
rences Of everyday life. and that the
supreme. inviOlahle joy Of the human
soul on earth is 10 accomplish its spiritual
duty at all costs and thus. I'm spite of all
honor, serve, and love God"
Temps Comments ON EncyeIicaL
Paris, Jan. 1.-THE Temps thinks thai
the Pope's encyclical will profoundly dis
appoint the bishops If they, on the eve
OF fresh assembly, hoped to find in ii
any guidance in regard 10 their action in
the present juncture The Pope cpm-
plains Of the incertitude i'm which the new
laws leave the clergy regarding the use
Of the churches. The Temps, however
does not believe that the complaint is
well founded except in regards to the
powers Of the mayors which the Temp:
itself disIikes.
The Journal des Debats thinks that the
cncyclicaI leaves little latitude 10 the
bishops assembly. The paper pays
high tribute to the Popes attitude.