The Washington herald., 1911-08-06

shores Of Africa, where the assemblies
OF bishops were as numerously attended
as general councils, and where the word
OF God awaited its commentaries from
the lips Of Augustine? There I see no
more than the smoke. telling witness Of
the fire from heaven which consumed
the land" (Sermon pour L'Epiphanie).
VIII They Drive God from Their
Homes AlsOf
Is the same to happen in Portugalr
VIII the Portuguese people abandon their
glorious past and turn their backs on
the church, in whose maternal bosom
this admirable nation grew and spread
and became so prosperous and noble1
VIII they drive God out from their con-
science and from their homes, as He has
already been driven from their law.
courts and schools? Will they live with
out God in days of happiness and even
in hours of misfortune? Are they will
ing to abandon God in life and in death7 2
All! II is after death that, whether they
will 1t or not, they cannot free them.
selves from Him. Then will come the
hour of God. Let us hope and trust that
such misfortunes shall not fall upon our
beloved country. There will be many
sons who, as needless prodigals, may
leave their fathers house. but in spite
of all storms and tribulations, the i'm
mense majority Of this people, purified
in the crucible of persecution, will re-
main attached to the cross, faithful to
jesus Christ, and obedient to the holy
see.
The Catholic religion has ceased to be
the religion of the state, but IL shall
not cease to be the religion Of the Portu-
guese people. The people of this country
cannot separate themselves from the
WI
sunder themselves from him who Is on
earIn the vicar OF Christ the successor
Of St Peter, the head, from whom flows,
and without whom would become impos-
sible, the life OF this social organism
that is called the church Of God 'Ubi
Petrus, ibi ecclesia"-there Peter Is,
there is the church.
The Portuguese people will hearken to
and respect the voice of the holy see,
which, We say again, cannot falter, con-
scious though it is of the magnitude OF
the issue. In these days OF utiltarian-
ism once again II will give the world o
noble example Of the sacrifice of all
temporal advantages to the sanctity OF
Its principles
When Rome has spoken, then the
Catholic clergy of our country will know
which road to follow: Obedience or
apostacy." We are at a time of the
in Portugal. Satan's sieve is at work.
Will there be cookie? Possibly so, for 10
is a condition of humanity, and history
bears witness Of IL. Let US only hope
that the tares may not be thick upon the
land.
The facts already known encourage
US to trust that Portuguese priests will
remain by the side of their prelates, and
that prelates and priests, as we'll as the
faithful, all intimately united by tho
bonds of coordination and communism
of faith and sentiments of hearts and
wills, will give eloquent witness Of their
perfect subordination and answering f.
deity to the voice of the Supreme Pom
earth.
And to the Son of God each one will
say with equal earnestness but with
greater firmness than st. Peter: Domino,
tecum paratus sum, ct in carcerem ct in
mortem ire-Lord, / am prepared to go
with You to prison and to death.
ANTONIO, Patriarch of Lisbon
MANUEL. Archbishop of Braga, Pri-
mate.
AUGUSTA, Archbishop Of Evora-
MANUEL, Archbishop of Guarda.
JOSE, Bishop of Vizeu.
MANUEL Bishop and Count.
JOSE, Bishop OF Branganca-
FRANCISCO JOSE, Bishop OF La
mengo.
ANTONIO, Bishop of Portalegre.
ANTONIO, Bishop OF Algarve.
ANTONIO, Bishop Of Martyropolis.