CHRISTI
NOMEN
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON PROPAGATION
OF THE FAITH AND EASTERN CHURCHES
To
Our Venerable Brethren, the Patriarchs,
Primates, Bishops, and Other Local Ordinaries
Enjoying Peace and Communion with the Apostolic See.
Our
first duty is to spread the name and reign of Christ more widely every
day, and to call back the mutinous and the wandering to the bosom of the
Church; this has occupied Our concern for a long time. For this reason
We never cease to safeguard and multiply pious projects and to support
them with the help gathered from the Catholic people. By this means the
powerful light of Christian wisdom is spread among the erring. We did
this especially in the third year of Our pontificate with the encyclical
letter Sancta Dei Civitas in order to win for the illustrious Society
for the Propagation of the Faith both greater support and generosity from
the faithful. Then We were pleased to follow with exhortations showing
how it had grown in a short time, from small beginnings to so large a
stature; and with what testimonies of praise and grants of indulgences
Our illustrious predecessors, Pius VII, Leo XII, Pius VIII, Gregory XVI,
Pius IX had honored it. Finally, Our exhortations demonstrated how much
aid had been given to the sacred missions throughout the world from this
source, and how much
more was to be expected. Nor by God's blessing was the fruit small in
response to this exhortation. In the following years we saw the expansion
of this most worthy work, since the generosity of the faithful responded
to the zeal and the perserverance of the bishops. But now there is a new
need and one more grave, which may demand that the spirit of Catholic
love become more wide-spread. Venerable Brethren, may it stimulate your
skill.
2.
From the apostolic letter Praeclara published last June, you know that
We invited and urged all nations to the unity of the Christian faith.
Thus, through Us the divine promise of "one sheepfold and one Pastor"
would be realized. You have learned from Our recent apostolic letters
concerning the safeguarding of the Eastern Rites that We look with special
care to the East and its churches, renowned and venerated by many names.
From these same letters you have learned the procedures by which, in consultation
with the Eastern patriarchs, We have investigated how to bring about more
readily the desired end, namely the union of the Roman and Eastern Catholic
Churches. We do not deny that this goal involves great difficulties. To
overcome them, Our strength is not sufficient; nevertheless We confidently
judge that the necessary strength of
trust and of constancy is found in God. For He who motivated Us to undertake
this mission will in His providence certainly supply the strength and
the resources to complete it. And this is what We implore from Him, and
We exhort all the faithful to also pray earnestly for this. Since the
divine help must necessarily be joined with human effort, it is right
for Us therefore to expend special care in seeking and supporting whatever
seems to contribute to the end We have in view.
3. To ensure that the Eastern Christians who have seceded will return
to the one true Church, it is necessary to provide them with an abundance
of holy ministers who, endowed with doctrine and piety, may persuade the
others to accept the desired unity. In addition, Catholic wisdom and life
must be made known and imparted to them in such a fashion that it will
fir their national character congenially. Therefore houses must be opened
wherever expedient for the sacred education of the youth, a sufficient
number of high schools should be available, distributed according to population.
Their power of exercising each rite may thus be supplied with dignity.
Genuine knowledge of religion, should be extended to all by making the
best literature available. You can easily understand the costs of these
and similar ventures. You also understand that the Eastern Churches by
themselves cannot meet all these expenses. Nor can We Ourselves in these
hard rimes offer the help We would like. Suitable aid must be asked principally
from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith which We have just now
praised. Its purpose is entirely consonant with what We now have in mind.
But lest apostolic missions, deprived in part of the aids by which they
are sustained, suffer any harm, We must insist that the generosity of
the Catholics toward the Society become greater. It is fitting that a
similar concern also be applied to the Society for the Schools of the
East whose growth We encouraged, especially since its directors have openly
promised to contribute as much as possible for this worthy cause.
4. For this, venerable brothers, We particularly ask your assistance.
We do not doubt that you, who are so eager to support with Us the cause
of the Church, will undertake this outstanding work. Zealously see to
it that the Society for the Propagation of the Faith grows as much as
possible among the faithful entrusted to your care. We are certain that
many more will eagerly give both their name and their resources to this
Society if they see clearly its excellence, the abundance of spiritual
gifts it has to offer, and the benefits which can now be rightly hoped
for the Christian cause. It certainly should move Catholic men to know
that they can do nothing for Us so pleasing, nor so salutary for themselves
and the Church than to meet Our desires by contributing. With their contributions
We can accomplish what We have resolved upon for the good of the Eastern
Church. May God, who alone is glorified with the spread of the Christian
name and its unity in faith and government, graciously bless Our beginnings
and favor Our desires. As an auspice of His choicest blessing, Venerable
Brethren, We most lovingly give Our Apostolic Blessing to all of you,
your clergy and your people.
Given
in Rome, at St. Peter's, December 24, 1894, in the seventeenth year of
Our pontificate.
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