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| Pope Pius IX (1846 - 1878) |
To
Our Beloved Sons, S. R. E. Cardinals and to Our Venerable Brothers, the
Archbishops and Bishops of Italy.
Our
Beloved Sons and Venerable Brothers, Greetings and Apostolic Benediction.
How
much cause we have to grieve over the most cruel and sacrilegious war brought
upon the Catholic Church in almost all regions of the world during these
turbulent times, and especially declared upon unhappy Italy before our very
eyes many years ago by the Piedmontese Government and stirred up more violently
day by day, each of you, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, easily
understands. In the midst of our great distress, however, as long as you keep
watch with us, we are deeply comforted and consoled. Although you are, indeed,
most deplorably harassed by every grave injustice possible, torn away from your
own flock, exiled and even cast into prison, nevertheless, with your profound
virtue you have never neglected to speak and to write in ardent defense of the
teachings of God, his Church, and this Apostolic See.
2.
Consequently, we give thanks because you
fervently rejoice to suffer insult in the name of Jesus. We extend to
you merited praise in the words of our most saintly predecessor, Leo: "May
you endure with all your heart the trials of your love, which you have
undergone in reverence for the Catholic faith; may I accept the sufferings
inflicted upon you as if I were bearing them myself. I know, however, that it
is a cause of joy rather than of sorrow that with the strength of our Lord,
Jesus Christ, you have persevered invincible in your evangelical and apostolic
teaching . . . And when the enemies of the Christian faith were tearing you
away from your respective churches, rather than being contaminated by their
impiety, you preferred to endure the injustice of undergoing exile."[1]
3.
Would that we could announce the end of such terrible calamities besetting the
Church! Never will there be grief enough over
the corruption of morals so extensively increasing and promoted by irreligious
and obscene writings, theatrical spectacles and meretricious houses
established almost everywhere; by other depraved arts and monstrous portents of
every error disseminated in all directions; by the abominable impurities of all
vices and crimes growing constantly and the deadly virus of unbelief and indifferentism
spread far and wide; by contempt for ecclesiastical authority, sacred things,
and laws and by the outrageous plundering of Church possessions; by the bitter
and constant abuse of consecrated Church officials, of the students of
religious communities, of virgins dedicated to God; by the diabolical hatred of
Christ, his Church, teaching, and of this Apostolic See. These and almost
innumerable other evils perpetrated by the embittered enemies of the Catholic
Church and faith, we are daily compelled to lament.
4.
All these agonies seem to prolong and delay that most yearned for time when we
shall see the full triumph of our most holy religion, of justice, and of truth.
This triumph cannot fail us, however, even if it is not given us to know the
time destined for it by almighty God. Even though our heavenly Father permits
his holy Church to be afflicted and plagued by various tribulations and
distresses while serving during this most
miserable and earthly pilgrimage, nevertheless, because it has been
founded by Christ, the Lord, upon an immovable and most firm rock, it cannot be
shaken or overthrown by any force or violence. Rather, "it is
strengthened, not weakened by persecutions. The Lord's vineyard is always
clothed with a richer harvest, for while each grain dies singly, it is born
again manyfold."[2]
5.
That is what we see happening, beloved sons and venerable brothers, even in
these most sorrowful times as a special blessing from God. For although the
immaculate Spouse of Christ may be vehemently troubled at the present time by
the work of the wicked, yet she is triumphing over her enemies. Yes, indeed,
she is conquering her enemies and shines wonderfully bright with your
unparalleled faithfulness, love, and respect towards us and this Chair of
Peter, and with your outstanding constancy and that of the other venerable
brothers, the bishops of the whole Catholic world. She shines with many pious
works of Christian charity multiplying rapidly each day; with the light of
blessed faith illuminating many regions evermore each day; with the exceptional
love and devotion shown by Catholics towards the Church itself, towards us, and
this Holy See; with the eminent and immortal
glory of martyrdom. You know, in fact, how in Tonkin and especially in
the regions of Cochin China, bishops, priests, laymen and even peaceful women
themselves, and young boys and girls, emulating the martyrs with their
unconquerable spirit and heroic virtue, disdained the most inhuman torture, and
greatly rejoiced to pour out their lives for
Christ. All these joys should be no slight consolation to us and to you
in the midst of the overwhelming anguish that torments us.
>>
Martyrdom is something to aspire to! To be killed in the name of Jesus and his
Church is the closest we can follow in his footsteps!
6.
Now, since our Apostolic Office demands we carefully and zealously defend the
cause of the Church committed to us by Christ, we
condemn those who attack and despise the Church itself, its sacred laws,
ministers, and this Apostolic See. Hence, with this letter, once more we
confirm, proclaim and condemn totally and singly that which in many
consistorial allocutions and in our other Letters we have been forced to
deplore, declare and condemn.[3]
>>
He CONDEMNS those who do not conform to the teachings and faith of the Church;
he does NOT propose that they have alternate means to salvation nor that their
faiths and religions are also valid.
7.
Here, too, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, it is again necessary to
mention and censure a very grave error
entrapping some Catholics who believe that it is possible to arrive at eternal
salvation although living in error and alienated from the true faith and
Catholic unity. Such belief is certainly opposed to Catholic teaching. There
are, of course, those who are struggling with invincible ignorance about our most holy religion. Sincerely
observing the natural law and its precepts inscribed by God on all hearts and
ready to obey God, they live honest lives and are able to attain eternal life
by the efficacious virtue of divine light and grace. Because God knows, searches and clearly understands the minds, hearts, thoughts, and
nature of all, his supreme kindness and clemency do not permit anyone at
all who is not guilty of deliberate sin to suffer eternal punishments.
>>
This falls into God judging a man’s heart…but how many are TRULY ignorant?
Certainly a person of the first world nations could not be considered ignorant…
8.
Also well
known is the Catholic teaching that no one can be saved outside the Catholic
Church. Eternal salvation cannot be obtained by those who oppose
the authority and statements of the same Church and are stubbornly separated
from the unity of the Church and also from the successor of Peter, the Roman
Pontiff, to whom "the custody of the vineyard has been committed by the
Savior."[4] The words of Christ are clear
enough: "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you a
Gentile and a tax collector;" (Mt
15.17 )[5] "He who hears
you hears me, and he who rejects you, rejects me, and he who rejects me,
rejects him who sent me;"[6] "He who does not believe will be
condemned;"[7] "He who does not believe is already
condemned;"[8] "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does
not gather with me scatters."[9] The
Apostle Paul says that such persons are "perverted and
self-condemned;"[10] the Prince of the Apostles calls them "false
teachers . . . who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying
the Master. . . bringing upon themselves swift destruction."[11]
9.
God forbid that the children of the Catholic
Church should even in any way be unfriendly to those who are not at all united
to us by the same bonds of faith and love. On the contrary, let them be eager
always to attend to their needs with all the kind services of Christian
charity, whether they are poor or sick or suffering any other kind of
visitation.
>>
Always lead with charity and humility, loving neighbor as self and turning the
other cheek, but never compromising the faith. Be patient with the ignorant and
let us realize our own faults as we so easily recognize those of others so as
to avoid hypocrisy…
10.
Furthermore, beloved sons and venerable brothers, we cannot be silent about
another most pernicious error, an evil that is pitifully tearing apart and
deeply disturbing minds, hearts, and souls. We
are referring to that unbridled and damnable self-love and self-interest that
drive many to seek their own advantage and profit with clearly no regard for
their neighbor. We mean that thoroughly insatiable passion for power and
possessions that overrides all the rules of justice and honesty and never
ceases by every means possible to amass and greedily heap up wealth. Completely
absorbed in the things of earth, forgetful of
God, religion and their souls, they
wrongly place all their happiness in procuring riches and money. Let
such people recollect and meditate seriously upon the very sobering words of
Christ, the Lord: "What will it profit a
man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?"[12] Let
them also reflect upon the teaching of Paul: "Those who desire to be rich
fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires
that drag men down to ruin and destruction. For
the love of money is the root of all evil; it is through this craving
that some have wandered away and pierced their hearts with many pangs." (1 Tm 6.9-10. )[13]
>>
Man cannot serve two masters, God and mammon.
11.
Now, truly, we cannot conceal the fact that we are in great anguish since there
are some clergy in Italy who, forgetful of
their vocation, do not blush in the least to spread abroad false doctrine, even in subversive writings. They
arouse the people against us and this Apostolic See; they oppose our civil rule
and that of the Chair itself; they shamelessly
and zealously support the wicked enemies of the Catholic Church and this same
See (Freemasons/Jews). Deserting their bishops and us, emboldened by
the approval of the Piedmontese government and its Parliament, these
ecclesiastics in open contempt of ecclesiastical censure and penalty have
become impudently fearless in organizing certain
condemnable societies commonly known as Liberal Clerical, of Mutual Assistance,
For the Emancipation of the Italian Clergy, and other associations
animated by the same depraved spirit. Although deservedly forbidden to perform
their holy ministry, nevertheless, like brazen intruders, they sinfully and
illicitly exercise it in many churches. We, therefore, disapprove and condemn
the behavior of the same ecclesiastics. At the same time, we admonish and
exhort, again and again, these unfortunate men to return to their right mind
and heart and take thought for their own salvation, seriously considering
"that God tolerates no example of conduct more from others than from
priests when He sees those, whom He ordains for the improvement of others, give
example of their own depravity."[14] Let them fervently reflect that their
confused state must be repaired before the tribunal of Christ. May these
pitiful churchmen heed our paternal advice and willingly render us the
consolation of a repentant clergy. May they seek refuge in us day by day,
begging pardon for their defection with suppliant prayer and humbly imploring
absolution from ecclesiastical censure.
12.
You are certainly aware, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, that every
kind of impious and deceitful writing, lies, calumny, and blasphemy has been
let loose from hell. No pain has been spared to transfer schools to
non-Catholic teachers and to appropriate churches for non-Catholic worship.
With a multiple of other, surely diabolical treacheries, arts, and
undertakings, the enemies of God employ every effort to destroy completely-if
that were possible -- the Catholic Church, seduce and corrupt the people,
especially guileless youth, and uproot our holy faith and religion from the
souls of all.
13.
We are fully confident that you, our beloved sons and venerable brothers,
strengthened by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, will continue steadfast in
your outstanding episcopal zeal. With one mind
and heart and with redoubled dedication, may you persist in defending the House
of Israel, may you fight the good fight for the faith and defend from the
snares of the enemy the faithful entrusted to your care. Admonish and
exhort them to be strong in our sacred faith, without which it is impossible to
please God. Urge them to persevere firmly established in our divine religion,
which alone is true and eternal and prepares for salvation and even, to a very
great extent, preserves and prospers civil society.
14.
Through the parish priests chiefly and other ecclesiastics known for integrity
of life, gravity of morals, and constant adherence to sound doctrine, may you
teach unremittingly and accurately: at one time preaching the divine word, at
another instructing the people in the mysteries of our august religion, its
doctrine, precepts, and discipline. You, above all, know that many
evils generally arise from ignorance of divine matters essential for salvation.
Hence, you will understand that it behooves you to use every care and diligence
that so detrimental a condition be prevented.
15.
Before we bring our letter to its close, however, we cannot restrain from
bestowing due praise upon the Italian clergy, who with the highest degree of
devotion to us and this Chair of Peter and to their bishops, have certainly not
strayed. Following the noble example of their bishops and bearing all hardships
with utmost patience, they fulfill their duty most laudably. We put our trust
in the hope, moreover, that this same clergy, with the help of divine grace and
walking worthily in their vocation, will always strive to be shining examples
of piety and virtue.
16.
We continue, too, with fitting and public praise for the many consecrated
virgins who violently driven from their monastaries, despoiled of their
recompense, and reduced to beggary, have not broken faith with their Spouse.
Enduring the most deplorable conditions, they pray day and night in the holy
house of God where they patiently await His mercy and beseech Him for the
salvation of all, even that of their enemies.
17.
We rejoice, also, in praising the people of Italy who, with deep Catholic
sensibilities, abhor the many impious and destructive efforts taken against the
Church. With filial piety, respect and obedience, they take great pride in
honoring us, this Holy See, and their bishops. Amid very serious difficulties
and impeded by dangers, each day and in many ways they faithfully offer us
tokens of their love and devotion, alleviating the wants of this Apostolic See,
at times with money, at other times with other gifts.
18.
In the midst of so many calamities and confronted with such fury against the
Church, we are not despondent for "Christ is our counsel and our strength;
without him we can do nothing, through him we can do all things. While
confirming the preachers of the Gospel and the ministers of the sacraments, he
said: 'Lo, I am with you always, to the end of time.'"[15] We know for certain, moreover, that the gates of
hell will never prevail against the Church which stands and will stand
immovable with Christ Jesus, our Lord, as guardian and protector, who has built
the Church and who has been "yesterday and today and forever."[16]
19.
With ever more ardent zeal and humility of heart, let us, our beloved sons and
venerable brothers, never stop offering our prayers and petitions to God through
Jesus Christ that His Church, driven by this most turbulent tempest, may
recover from such great disasters, enjoy the most blessed peace and freedom
throughout the world, and gain new and more splendid triumphs over her enemies.
Let us pray that the errant be flooded with the light of his divine grace, may
turn back from the path of error into the way of truth and justice and,
experiencing the worthy fruit of repentance, may possess perpetual love and
fear of his holy name.
20.
That the merciful God may more readily grant our most fervent prayers, let us
invoke patronage of the immaculate and most holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Let us seek likewise the intercession of the most holy Apostles, Peter and
Paul, and of all the blessed in heaven, that with their efficacious prayers
before God, they may implore mercy and graces for all and powerfully avert all
adversities and dangers afflicting the Church everywhere and especially in
Italy.
21.
Finally, as a most certain pledge of our singular benevolence toward you, we
lovingly impart our heartfelt Apostolic Blessing upon you, beloved sons and
venerable brothers, and upon the flock committed to your care.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's, 10 August, 1863, in the eighteenth year of Our
Pontificate.
·
1. St. Leo, epistle 154 to the bishops of Egypt, ed. Baller.
·
2. St. Leo, sermon 82 on the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul.
·
3. Addresses on 20 June 1859; 26 September 1859; 13 July 1860; 28
September 1860; 17 December 1860; 18 March 1861; 30 September 1861; and 9 June
1862. Encyclical letters on 18 June 1859 and 19 January 1860. Apostolic letter
on 26 March 1860.
·
4. Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in its letter to Pope Leo.
·
5. Mt 15.17.
·
6. Lk 10.16.
·
7. Mk 16.16.
·
8. Jn 3.18.
·
9. Lk 11.23.
·
10. Ti 3.11.
·
11. 2 Pt 2.1.
·
12. Mt 16.26.
·
13. I Tm 6.9-10.
·
14. St. Gregory the Great, homily 17 in Evangel.
·
15. St. Leo, epistle 167 to Rusticus, bishop of Narbonne.
· 16. Heb 13.8.
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