The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-10-03

! And who does not know what the
Bishops and priests have done, even
at the risk of their very lives, to
moderate the rigors of war, and to
save disinterestedly the lives and hon.
or and goods of the innocent peace
loving people, regardless of their own
personal political opinions, and regard
less of the political party with which
they might have been affiliated?
While we have thus preached, we
never intended to declare ourselves
for the triumph of any political party,
but only sought to maintain union and
harmony among all the members of
the great Mexican family. If on &C
count of such conduct we have merit
ed persecution and are guilty of
offense, let our enemies pronounce
judgment against us; but, let them no
longer class among the beautiful vir-
tues of the human heart compassion
and mercy towards the afflicted, and
the love of order, tranquility and
progress that rise from them.
Furthermore, we raise our voice in
protest against the false accusation
with which many have deceived the
people, namely, that we are helping
the actual dissention and discord with
our pecuniary support Even if we
wanted, we could not do so, simply
because we are not possessed of
riches, and the offerings from the PEG.
pie barely cover the current, press.
n an6 rnapccifi0c 0f ~
ceses. In these sad strivings of
brothers against brothers, our ideals
have been higher and nobler than
that. All our aspirations, our preach.
ing, our prayers, our labors,-all have
been directed to the realization in
our country of that sweet PAX vobis,'
peace be to you,' which is the char.
acteristic salutation of our loving Mas.
ter and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
In order to justify the spoliatior
of the priests and Bishops, the alb
surd story has been spread every.
where, even in foreign countries, that
the Catholic Church in Mexico abounds
in riches and temporal goods. But
what grieVes us most keenly is thai
Catholics, who should be our help anG
consolation in the tribulations press
ing on us so heavily, would help the
prosecutors to spread their false ant
malicious murmurings, when these
Catholics realize the privations ant
even misery to which are subjected
not only the humble and self-sacrific
| ing pastors of numberless parishes
but also some of the Prelates.
Complying with the duty imposed OF
us by our sacred ministry, we de
clare, venerable brethren and beloved
children, that we revere and accept
with all humility and submission the
wise paternal designs of our Heaven
| ly Father, who has willed to try us
| by the fire of tribulation. Do the
same yourselves, venerable brethren
and beloved children. Let us accept
all the pains and sorrows that per
haps are reserved for us, in satisfac
| ton for the sins of our people, anC
in union with the sufferings of OU
Lord. Receiving the doctrines ant
following the glorious example of oul
Divine Redeemer, Who with boundless
charity and tender tears asked par
don for those who insulted and cruel
fed Him, we forgive, from the bot
tom of our hearts, all our enemies anC
humbly ask Our Lord to forgive those
that oppose and persecute US.
To conclude: we eXhort you, vener
able brethren and beloved children
to keep your Faith alive in the midst
of persecution, and to strengthen
| your souls with the example of om
Divine Saviour and with the frequent
reception of the holy Sacramento OF
| Confession and Communion Watch
and pray continually that you may not
| fall into temptation, and behave your
| selves in all things as becomes true
disciples of Jesus Christ, that you may
be the consolation of your afflicted
pastors even as the Apostle st. John
and the Apostle st. Paul were com
forted when they knew their children
walked in the path of truth.
This pastoral letter should be read
inter Missarum Solemnia, on the first
day of obligation Immediately follow
ing it's reception and afterwards shall
be affixed to the usual places.
Assuring you every blessing in the
Lord, we accord to you our Pastoral
Benediction.
Given in the City of Mexico on the
10th day of July, the feast of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, of the year of
Our Lord 1914.
4 RAMON,
Archbishop of Puebla.
4 FRANCISCO,
Archbishop of Linares.
+ FRANCISCO,
Archbishop of Guadalajara
4 NICOLAS,
Bishop of Chihuahua
i. IGNACIO VALDESPINO,
Bishop of Aguascalientes
4 FRANCISCO,
Bishop of Sinaloa.
+ JESUS MARIA,
Bishop of Saltillo.
+ EMETERIO,
Bishop of Leon.
X MIGUEL,
Bishop of Zacatecas.