Year: 1867

The following is the allOcutlOn which
the Pope addressed to the Consistory on
the 22d ult:


Venerable Brethren (: The loveof Christ
urging upon us the duty Of inquiring why
so many dioceses had been left vacant ID
Italy, we sent an autograph letter in the
month Of March, 1865, to the Most Serene
King Of Italy, asking him to send to us
some person with whom we could treat on
such serious subject When he acceeded
to our wishes negotiations were reviewed,
but through no fault of ours, certainly
they came to no result. They did not full
fill our desire, although moved by an ardent
solicitude for the salvation of our souls, to
which the Holy See has always given
priority in all things, we condescended to
invite these negotiations. The matter was
recently taken up at the desire Of those who
are masters Of affairs in Italy But it is
impossible for us, venerable brethren, to
treat of this subject without expressing
profound sorrow and bitter grief. The holy
prelates whom we are about to send to the
vacant sees will not only find the ecclesias-
tical treasures ruined, but they will alb
solutely find themselves in want of their
ordinary means of support; and what Il
still worse, they will find the stones of the
SANITARY scattered, asy1ums Of religious
perfection deserted, the inmates Of the
cloisters reduced to utter destitution, and
the holy virgins expelled from the religious
edifces where, with the help Of God, they
had retired to live and die on the kisses of
the Heavenly Spouse. It is sad and pain
full to send bishops to such sees, especially
in crisis Of public affairs like the present.
But what is to be doneQ Give up the pro-
ject for these reasons2 No These laborers
will return to the vine planted by God and
watered with the blood Of his Son, relying
on the Almighty's aid; they will proceed
to their work confident in the protection Of
the Mother of God, who can powerfully
assist them. 1t is she, indeed, the true scat
of wisdom, who with her inspiration aiding
the efforts of the pastors, will bring to them,
in her quality Of refuge of sinners, great
numbers Of wandering souls. Comforter
of the afflicted, she will assuage through
them the sufferings Of the wretched: pro-
tectress Of Christians, she will bring back
to the pastors the respect and filial affec-
tion OF the people, and thus in the doeility
and love Of the flock they will find relief
from the weight of their onefous functions
as well as consolation I'M the contest they
will have to sustain against the enemies Of
God and the powers Of darkness, who are
endeayoring to seize the whole field of the
Gospel in order to make it a desolate abode.
Therefore amongst the new bishops, we
shall Professionally name some belonging
to Italy having confidence thatin future
consistories we will have an opportunity Of
preconising others and others still, if the
judgments of men, who live according to
tho exigencies of the time, will hafmonize


with ours, especially in what concerns the
election OF individuals. If would not be
opportune to say more in the present state
Of things; but the future, unless the justice
of the Almighty brings about change, is
too clearly indicated by the past series OF


most distressing events Still we must
have confidence in God, who, in concert
with the immaculate virgin and the holy
apostles, in so striking manner, protected
us beneath the shadow Of his wings; and


who In the end (such atleast is our hope,
| will change our sorrow into joy. Let us


endeayor, venerable brethren, to hasten


and to ripen this result, SO desire in oul


prayers, by the concord Of our souls and thu


exercise Of every Christian virtue