Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-12
)INAL'S WIRE TO NEWSPAPERS WAS SUPPRESSED

Malines, Sunday Within the Octave of the Epiphany
1915.
Very Reverend Fathers and Most Dear Fellow
Workers:
You acquainted, believe, with notice of
the Governor General of Belgium published in the
papers stating that the Cardinal Archbishop of Ma
lines has in no wise been hampered in the free dis
charge of his ecclesiastical Office. The facts themselves
dlsprovc the truth of this assertion.
As a matter of fact on the evening of January
st and throughout the whole of the following night,
German officers entered the presbyteres and carried
of or tried vainly TO wrench from the priests hands
the pastoral and in defiance of episcopal authority
|orbade you TO read it TO your atons, threat
ening you your parish with the direst penalties.
Even our dignity not respected, for Jan
uary I'd, before daybreak at o'clock received the
order TO go Immediately that same morning and ex-
plain to the Governor General my letter to the clergy
and the people. The following day forbidden to
give bcnediction in the Cathedral at Antwerp. have
been forbidden TO visit the other Belgian bishops.
"Our Rights Haze Been Violated"
As citizen, shepherd of souls, and as
member of the Sacred College of Cardinals, protest,
my dear fellow workers, that your rights as well as
mine have been violated.
Whatever may be alleged to the contrary. ex-
perence has proved that this pastoral letter has pro-
rokcd no occasion for sediton but the contrary,
it has contributed largely to the appoasing of the
peoples minds and to public tranquility.
congratulate you on having fulfilled your duty
with hrmness and moderation. Continue faithful
keeping up stout yet pacific heart, remembering the
words in which have already explained to you my
mind clearly and entirely BE at the same time the
best guardians of patriotism and the supporters Of
public order
AS for the rest be "in spirit fervent serving the
Lord rejoicing in hope patient in trbulation instant
in prayer communicating to the necessities of the
saints" (Romans xii, 11-130
beg you, do not forget me in your prayers; on
my part shall not forget you in mine. Altogether
united bV the close ties of hrotherhood
mend to the Lord, the bishops, the clergy and the
faithful that they may see their duty and may have
the strength to fulfill it."*
lSigned) D. j. CARDINAL MERCER
Archbishop of Malnes.
The deans requested to give an account of all
that has taken place in the parishes of their deaneres
N. B.-For some time eccesiastcs have
affected lay attire; they requested to resume from
now ecclesiastical dress.
*Colect for the Sunday within the Octave of the
Eniphany
Query from 4 SS0cidted Press
The incidents provoked by the reading of the pas
tora became known in other countries. Mr. Schreiner
the correspondent of the Associated Press of America
sent telegram to the Cardinal, through the German
authorities requesting detailed information of his treat
ment by the German authorities. This telegram was
delivered by the Kreischef of Malines:
The Kreischef Office, Malines
January 9TH 1915.
TO the Cardinal Archbishop of Manes.
BY order of the Governor General | have the
honor to forward to your Eminence the following
telegram which received by the Governor General
with the request to communicate it to you