SAEPE
NOS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
BOYCOTTING IN IRELAND
To Our Venerable Brethren,
the Bishops of Ireland Venerable Brethren,
Health and Apostolic Benediction.
From
this supreme dignity of the Apostolic office, We have frequently directed
Our solicitude and Our thoughts to your Catholic people; and Our feelings
have been more than once recorded in published documents, from which all
may clearly learn what are Our dispositions towards Ireland. They are
sufficiently attested by the provisions which, under Our direction, the
Sacred Congregation of Propaganda made in former years respecting Ireland,
and also by the letters which on more than one occasion We addressed to
Our Venerable Brother, Cardinal M'Cabe, Archbishop of Dublin. Once again,
they have been attested by the address which We recently delivered to
a not inconsiderable number of Catholics belonging to your nation, from
whom we received, not only congratulations and heartfelt wishes for Our
preservation, but also expressions of gratitude on account of Our benevolent
dispositions, clearly discerned by them, towards the Irish people. Furthermore,
within these past few months, when it was resolved to build a church in
this city in honour of St. Patrick, the great Apostle of the Irish, We
most warmly encouraged
the undertaking, and We shall substantially aid it within the limits of
Our resources.
2.
Now this, Our paternal affection, remaining, as it does, unaltered, We
cannot disguise that tidings which have recently come to Us from Ireland
have deeply pained and grieved Us. We have learned that an untoward excitement
has suddenly arisen because the Sacred Congregation, whose office it is
to vindicate the authority of the Church against those who resist it,
has decreed that those methods of warfare known as Boycotting and the
Plan of Campaign, which had begun to be employed by many, may not lawfully
be used. And what is more to be deplored, there are not a few who have
come forward and summoned the people to excited meetings, where inconsiderate
and dangerous opinions are set in circulation, the authority of the Decree
not being spared. For not only is the real scope of this Decree grievously
perverted by means of forced interpretations, but, furthermore, it is
even denied that obedience is due to the Decree, as if it were not the
true and proper office of the Church to decide what is right and what
is wrong in human actions.
3.
Such a manner of acting is but little in harmony with the profession of
the Christian religion,
which assuredly brings in its train the virtues of moderation, respect,
and obedience to legitimate authority. Besides, in a good cause, it is
not fitting to seem in some sense to imitate those who in the pursuit
of an unlawful end seek to attain it by disorderly effort.
4.
Such line of action, too, is the more painful to Us inasmuch as We had
carefully inquired into the case, so that We might obtain full and reliable
knowledge of the state of your affairs, and of the causes of popular discontent.
Our sources of information are trustworthy; we investigated the matter
in personal interview with yourselves; further, last year we sent to you
as legate a man of tried prudence and discretion, with the commission
to use the greatest diligence in ascertaining the truth, and to make a
faithful report to Us. For this very act of watchful care the thanks of
the Irish people have been publicly given to Us. Can it therefore be asserted
without rashness that We have given judgment in a case with which We were
not sufficiently acquainted-the more so as We have condemned things which
fair minded men, not mixed up in your struggle, and thus bringing a calmer
judgment to the consideration of the case, unite in condemning?
5.
There is also a suspicion not less unjust to Us, namely, that the cause
of Ireland appeals but feebly to Us, and that the present condition of
her people gives Us little care. Now, on the contrary, We yield to no
one in the intensity of Our feeling for the condition of the Irish people,
and We have no more earnest desire than to see them at length in the enjoyment
of that peace and prosperity which they have so well deserved. We have
never opposed their struggling for a better state of things, but can it
be regarded as admissible that in the carrying on of that struggle a way
should be thrown open which might lead to evil deeds? Rather, indeed,
for the very reason that, under the influence of passion and political
partisanship, things lawful and unlawful are to be found mingled in the
same cause, it has been Our constant effort to mark off what was right
from what was wrong, and to withhold Catholics from everything not sanctioned
by the Christian rules of morals.
6.
On this account We gave to the Irish people timely counsels, to be mindful
of their obligations as Catholics, and to take part in nothing at variance
with natural right or forbidden by the Divine law. Hence the recent Decree
ought not to have come upon them unexpectedly; all the more as you yourselves,
Venerable Brethren, assembled in
Dublin in the year 1881 bade the clergy and people to beware of everything
contrary to public order or to charity-such as refusing to discharge just
obligations; preventing others from discharging theirs; inflicting injury
on anyone either in person or property; violently resisting the law or
those engaged in the discharge of public duties; joining in secret societies
and the like. These injunctions, most just in themselves and given most
seasonably, were praised and approved by Us.
7.
Nevertheless, as the people were being carried away by ever-increasing
vehemence in the pursuit of the object of their desires, and as there
were not wanting those who daily fanned the flame, We perceived that something
more definite was needed than the general precepts of justice and charity
which We had previously given. Our duty forbade us to suffer that so many
Catholics, whose salvation must be Our first care, should pursue a hazardous
and unsafe course leading rather to disorder than to the relief of distress.
8.
Let matters, then, be viewed in their true light, and let Ireland read
in this Decree Our love for herself and Our desire to promote the prosperity
she hopes for; since nothing is so harmful to a cause, however just, as
recourse to violence and injustice in its defence.
9.
These instructions which We address to you, Venerable Brethren, you will
convey to the Irish people. We feel confident that, united in due conformity
of views and of purpose, and sustained not only by your own, but also
by Our authority, you will accomplish much-and chiefly this, that the
true estimate of things shall not continue to be obscured by passion,
and most especially that those who have urged on the people to excitement
may come to regret the rashness with which they have acted. Since there
are many who seem to seek out means of escaping from even the plainest
obligations, take all necessary steps that no room be left for doubt as
to the force of this Decree. Let it be understood by all that the entire
method of action, whose employment We have forbidden, is forbidden as
altogether unlawful.
10.
Let your people seek to advance their lawful interests by lawful means,
and most especially, as is becoming in Christians, without prejudice to
justice or to obedience to the Apostolic See, virtues in which Ireland
has in all times found comfort and strength.
11.
In the meantime, Venerable Brethren, as a pledge of heavenly favours,
and in testimony of Our affection, We most lovingly in the Lord
bestow on you, and
on the clergy and people of Ireland, the Apostolic Benediction.
Given
at St. Peter's, Rome, the 24th day of June, in the year 1888, the eleventh
year of Our Pontificate.
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