Year: 1867

AA@S oPS'


ALLocuTIoN OF PIuS NINTH ON THE SITUATION


AND 'spIsTREssEs" OF THE CHURCH.


Suboined is the text of the allocution pronounced
by Pope Plus the Ninth, at the Consistory in Rome,
September 10th


Fea.eraJle Brethyea--The Catholic world know how
often have been compelled to deplore and rebuke
the great injuries and the serious wrongs inflicted Tor
several years by the sub pine government Ill spite
of all Divine and human laws we'll ecclesiastical
censureS and pun>hmens, upon the Catholic church,
upon aud this apostolic seat, upon the bishops and
ministers, upon the religious orders Of both sexes and
upon other pious Institutions.


The same government depressing and daily eXeftIng
itself and to abuse the church, after the
other laws it had put forth, and which we have con-
demned opposed to the authority OF this church,
has at last that degree of in usce that it has
had the sacrlegious audaeity to propose, approve,
sanction and promus gate law which, i'll its own terri
tores well in those it has usurped, has despoied
the church Of all her property to the great injury OF
civil society, has appropriated that property and has
ordered its sale, All people assuredly must see how
unjust, how cruel is such law which attacks the H.
vioable right of property the church holds from her
divine origin which trampes under foot all rights,
natural, divine and human, and by which, lastly the
members Of the clergy who have deserved so well OF
Catholicism and civil society, and also virgins conse
Grated God are reduced to the EXTREMIST misery and
beggary


In such distress of the Church, in presence of





by the obligations of apostolic ministry to defend
and avenge with the utmost zeal the cause of justice
assuredy cannot preserve silence For this reason we
uplift our voice in your imposing assembly, and re-
buke with our apostolic authority the law in question
we condemn it, we declare it null aud without any
value. Let its authors and abettOrs know that they
have placed themselves beneath the ban of the eccle
sasca penalties and censures which sacred canons
the apostolic constitutions the DEGREES of the general
councils declare inflicted ipso taco upon vioators OF
the rights of the church and usurpers OF her property


Let these determined enemies of the church tremble
and be filled with sautary fear. Let them be certainly
convinced that God the orig naor and the avenger Of


His Church. for them the heaviest, the most
severe chassements unless, truly repenting and re-
tracing their steps, they hasten to put end to and
repair the injuries inflicted by them upon this very
Church, ardenty declare and ask hnmbly and
with all our strength from the God of Mercy.
Under these circumstances, venerable brethren, we
wish to acQuaint you that mendacious pamphlet has
been recently put forth Paris, in which it is attempted
shamecssy and with extreme perfdy to lnslnuate to
the reader the idea that the deplorable events OF
Mexico are, in certain measure to be attributed to
this Apostolic See All the world certainly knows
how false and how absurd is this accusation-a fact
clearly shown by letter written to us III his prison by
the unfortunate Maximilian the 18th Of June last
before undergoing an unworthy and cruel death.
Having the opportunity now granted US we cannot
refrain from decreeing the highest praise to the exalted
memory of Louis Altier Cardinal of the Holy Roman
Church and Bishop of Albano. Belonging, as you
know to an iustrious race adorned with striking viz
tues ntrusted with highest functions and enjoying our
par tcuar affection, soon as he learned that the hor
ribe scourge of cholera had invaded Albano, COM
petely forgetful of himself and infamed with the fire
of charity for the flock placed in his charge, he in
stanty fastened to that city. Stunning neither labor
nor exertion trouble, nor peril, taking no rest
either day or night he did not for instant to
aid to assist console the unhappy victims of the
epidemic them with his own hands, and to
afford spiritual help to the dying, until the moment
when stricken himself by the terrible disease like the
Good Shepherd, he gave lis life for the sheep There
fore will his memory be ever blessed i'll the records Of
the church. for his noble death is that of victim to
Christian charity and he has gained nperlshaoe glory
for himself the church, your lustrious order and the
entire Catholic episcopae.


| There also, although experience profound grief
in learning the death of this cardinal, never
theless supported by great comfort, having the firm
hope that his soul has arrived in the kingdom OF
heaven that it has entered into the JOY OF the Lord
and is offering up ardent prayers tor US tor you and
for the whole church,. We desire, also, tribute Of
praise to the secular and regular clergy of Albano,
who following the noble example OF their bishop,
have not ceased at the risk of their own lives and
with the utmost ZEAL to carry aid and in especial the
aid of religion to the sick and to the dying. Our
troops garrisoning that city, the sendames charged to
uphold public security, well as the Zouavee, are
equally deserving of our commcndalion In fact,
they have been seen Drawing peril occupied chiefly in
burying the dead aud giving striking example OF
| Christian charity.


Lastly, venerable brethren, let lis not to upft
our hearts towards tie Lord tod, whose mercy is
infinite towards those who call upon Him; let us
pray, let us suppcate Him continually that remaining
firm with you in combat and surrounding with ram
part the house of Israel may be enabled valiantly
to sustain the cause of His holy church and to bring
back all His enemies into the paths Of justice and
salvation.