The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-12-28
BISHOP OF DULUTH WRITES
FIRST MESSAGE TO HIS FLOCK
-PoNTIFIcATE OF POPE RENE
DICT XIV.

DICT XIV.
John Timothy, BY the Grace of God
| and Favor Of the Apostolic See
Bishop of Duluth.
To the Clergy and People of the Dio.
cese of Duluth Health and Benedic.
ton.
Our coming to you has been under
circumstances which, humanity speak
ing, have been very unfaVorable. Our
diocese has visited by the evils
consequent OF pr, fire and pestilence.
The generous impulses of clergy and
faithful signified their wish that we
defer our coming until the inaugural
ceremonies by which a bishop takes
possession of his See and acquires the
right to exercise the authority con-
ferred upon him by the Vicar of Christ,
could be of a public character both
civic and religious. We deemed it our
duty ito hasten to you in the hope of
serving you in the full measure of our
weak powers. Today in a spirit of
Thanksgiving to Almighty God we must
express our gratitude for His bless
ings. The dark war clouds are pass
ing; the many thousands made home
less in our Diocese by the forest fires
have, with cheerful courage and vigor-
Gus enthusiasm, begun anew their
life's work The spirit of submission
of those who have lost thousand of
their dear ones, either burned to
death or who have died in conse-
quence of the fire, has the character
of that joy and courage which only
religion can give. Our visit to the
fire-destroyed districts afforded much
consolation. Priests and people are
manifesting spirit of resignation
which expresses their welcome to the
visitations of Almighty God. In the
complete destruction of the four
churches and parochial buildings of
the fire district they have recognized
wise and paternal Providence. In be
half of the churches and parochial
buildings of these districts, to be again
erected, we appeal to both clergy and
laity to give material assistance to
the extent that will mean sacrifice.
The rebuilding of the church on the In
dian Reservation may make special
appeal to many. The churches closed
for divine worship by order of their
respective municipalities, owing to the
extent and malignant form of inf1u-
enza, are again permitted in most
places to open.
We need not remind our Catholic
people that nothing happens without
divine permission or an act of tolera-
ton on Gods part. The dread disease
that has spread throughout the whole
world, is with impelling force calling
on all to return to Almighty God Ad-
versity is often blessing to reclaim
souls. Through it they are brought
to acknowledge the supreme domin-
ion of God and the obligation of their
complete submission to their Creator.
We must indeed, in treating disease.
employ both the remedies and precau.
tions that the best scientific opinions
advocate, but we must not, however,
recognize these as entirely sufficient.
A materialistic and Goddess world may
do SO. AS Catholics, we must turn
to God under all circumstances, &C
knowledging His omnipotence and His
willingness to assist us if we but hum
bly, seek His help, We must, follow
ing the counsel of st. Augustine, so
act in all circumstances as if every
thing depended on our action, but we
must also pray as if all depended
upon prayer. We cannot but regret
that our people have been for so many
Sundays deprived of the Holy Sacri-
fee of the Mass-that divine sacrifice
which at once renders homage, salts
faction and thanks to Almighty God
and obtains favors from him. The
true, Catholic and traditional way OF
acting during the time of widespread
pestilence is to double ones prayers,
to increase ones fervor and to be-
seech Almighty God more importunely
by acts of public, divine worship. We
urge both clergy and people, espe-
cially in those parts of our Diocese
where the dread disease is: still de-
handing heavy toll of life to suppli-
cate Almighty God in a spirit of pen
ance that, returning to Him, He may
with clemency bring to an end the
scourge of His anger.
Both clergy and faithful are mindful
that we have come directly from the
Supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of Christ,
charged with the responsibility of feed
ing the lambs and sheep of the Church
of Duluth. The message of His Holt
ness, through us, is that of a most
loving father, solicitous for the well
fare of his children, to whom His Holt
ness imparts with affection the Apos-
tolic Benediction. The Holy Fathers
knowledge of the Church of America
is extensive and detailed. He knows
the zeal of the clergy, the expansive
and enthusiastic spirit of the faithful
and he appreciates at its full value
the filial devotion and loyalty OF
American Catholics for his august per-
son. We indeed, regardless of the
incumbent of the See of Peter, rec
ognize in the Bishop of Rome the sue.
cessor of the Prince of the Apostles