The Catholic bulletin., 1922-08-19
MOTU PROPRIO OF Plus XI

our own authority, it will become the
pontifical instrument to centralize the
aims of the faithful intended for the
prompted to take this decision that
the directors of the Society both at
Lyons and Paris have, as obedient
sons of the Church, assured us with
the greatest goodwill that they will
abide by the decision of the Holy See
| in this matter SO dear to them and to
their fellow-citizens. In so doing,
these illustrious men have shown
themselves worthy of their titles of
Catholics and Frenchmen. They have
proved that the extension of the King
| dom of Christ here below is to them
of such Importance that they unhesi,
tatingly give it precedence over all
| other concerns, no matter how dear
or how legitimate. We approve so
highly this spirit, which is not pecu-
liar to these men, but which is shared
by all the Catholics of France, that
| with all our might we proclaim and
| praise it before the whole Church.
Therefore in the fulness of the
Apostolic power, of our own free will
I and with a full knowledge of the
case, we statute and decree the fol-
lowing: z-.
| The New Rules.
i. The pious association for the
Propagation of the Faith will be re-
organized, having it's headquarters at
i rrs%I hn
of Propaganda, and it will be the or
gan of the Holy See for the collec-
ton everywhere of the aims of the
| faithful and their distribution among
all Catholic missions. ..., ..-..
2. The Society will be presided
over by a Council chosen by US,
through the medium of the Sacred
Congregation, from among the clergy
of the nations which contribute sub
stantial sum to the work.
| 8. The French nation, which gave
birth to the Society, and which has
always worked so usefully to spread
the Faith among infidels, shall have
place of honor in that Council.
4. The constitution of the Society
and rules governing the General Com
mittee are contained in two docu-
ments appended to this letter.
5. The Central Councils of each
nation shall conform their statutes
with the laws promulgated by us and
submit them to the General Council
In such places where these Councils
of the work do not exist, the bishops
Twill establish them as soon as posi-
BILE. But where there is in existence
similar organization, though under
another name, it shall be modified
and united with this Society. In or
der to obtain satisfactory results, it
is of the utmost importance that abso-
lutte uniformity on this point should
prevail everywhere despite the diver
sity of places.
| Relying on the patronage of the
Immaculate Virgin Mary, of the glor-
ious Apostles Peter and Paul, and al
| SO. of that great propagator of the
| Catholic faith, St. Francis Xavier,
| heavenly patron of this Society. We
trust that, through Divine goodness
and in accordance with the wishes of
our predecessor, The Society for the
| Propagation of the Faith, as we'll as
the two other Societies of the Holy
Childhood and of ST. Peter, Apostle,
for the formation Of native clergy,
shall soon experience a propitious
growth. We feel confident that Bish-
ops and Prelates will assist us In this
task with all their zeal. the same zeal
which many have already displayed
in behalf of The Missionary Union of
the Clergy; IL this association, of such
auspicious timeliness and which is as
dear to us as to our predecessor.
does not yet exist in their dioceses,
let them hasten to establish it.
We now ordain that all things en-
acted by us in this letter shall be
| regarded as confirmed and ratified, all
things to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. e~ -
Given at Rome, near st. Peters, the
third day of the month of May, Feast
of the Finding of the Holy Cross, A.
D. 1922, the first year of our Pontifi.
cate.