Evening star., 1941-11-18

the language Of the immortal Pope
Leo XIII:
THE Almighty has appointed the
charge of the human race between
two powers, the ecclesiastical and
the eiyil-the one being set over
divine, and the other over human
things. Eacnin its kind is supreme;
each has fixed limits within which
1t IS contained, limits which are
defined by the nature and special
object Of the province Of each, so
that there is, We may say, an orbit
within which the action OF each is
brought into play by its own native
right. ~.
But, inasmuch as each Of these
two powers has authority over
the same subjects, and as one and
the same thing, under different
aspects but still remaining identi-
cally the same. might chance to fall
under the jurisdiction and deter
mination Of both powers, God, who
forsees all things and is author
alike OF these two powers, has
marked out the course OF each In
correlation to the other. For the
powers that are, are ordained of
God (Rom. xiii, y. Were this not
so, deplorable contentious and con-
flicts would often arise, and not in
frequently men, like travellers at
the meeting of two roads, would hes
itate in anxiety and doubt, not
knowing what course to follow. Two
powers would be commanding con-
trary things, and 1t would be dere-
LECTION OF duty to either of the two.
But to judge thus Of the wisdom
and goodness Of God would be most
repugnant. One OF the two has for
its proximate and chief object the
well-being of this mortal life: the
other, the joys of Heaven What
ever, therefore, in things human is
OF q sacred character. whatever be-
longs, either Of its own nature or
by reason Of the end to which it is
referred, to the salvation OF souls.
or to the worship OF God, is subject
to the power and judgment of the
church. Whatever Is to be under the
civil and political order is rightly
subject to the civil authority. Jesus
Christ has himself given command
that what is Caesars Is to be rem
dered to Caesar, and that what be-
longs to God is to be rendered to
God
Respect for Authority.
Pondering this solemn teaching
OF Pope Leo XIII, We must recognize
that all lawful authority is from
God. Let every one be subject to
the higher authorities, for there ex-
lists no authority except from God
(Ep. st. Paul to the Romans. 1919
Disrespect for authority, both &C.
clesisstical and civil. must be con-
demned. I'm the confusion of the
hour" we deplore the presumption
OF those who. lacking authority
strive to determine the course of
action that the church should take
within her clearly defined field
Recognizing the liberty Of discus
sion. and even Of criticism. which
our democratic form OF govern
ment guarantees. We urge and COM
mend respect and reverence for the
authority of our civil omcials which
has its source in God.
At the present moment, in vary
Ing degrees, in every part of the
world, the peaceful course Of events
is disturbed. People are called upon
TO make sacrifices and TO suffer
Comparing our conditions in the
United States with those of other
lands, We must recognize that our
country is singulsrly blessed But
we cannot avoid the repercussions
OF world cataclysm. Our faith in
Divine Providence ruling the uni
verse should inspire us to have con-
fidence in the benevolent designs
OF loving God who permits suffer-
ing to correct evil and to bring forth
the fruits Of justice and charity and
peace. ~>.
In this solemn hour when fateful
decisions are to be made, it is evi.
dent that . spirit Of exemplary re.
. Straint should characterize oul
priests and people. In every na.
tional crisis and every danger. oul
priests have been an inspiration. We
are confident that their good exam
pie Of strong faith and courage
founded on the virtue of fortitude
will not be lacking now. As mora
teachers, they show that freedom
has its limitations. 1t is limited, first
OF all. by the rights of God. anc
next. by the rights of others and by
the interests of the common good.
Future Of Religion.
AS shepherds OF souls. We are
gravely concerned with the future
Of supernatural religion in our coun-
try. Here. as elsewhere, it is seri-
ously threatened by growing evils OF
which our Holy Father has but re-
Gently warned tho world. These are
the evils Of false doctrine. i'm