MAGNI
NOBIS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
To
the Archbishops and Bishops of the United States of North America.
Of great
joy to us is your zealous regard for the welfare of your dioceses by insuring
protection of Catholic piety. We are especially comforted by the bulwark
you are erecting for the proper education of clerical and lay youth and
instruction in the divine and human sciences related to the Rule of Faith.
Your most welcome letter, sent us at the beginning of last year, is truly
inspiring wherein you indicate that the construction of the Lyceum or
University of Studies in the City of Washington is progressing so felicitously
that, due to your diligence, everything will be ready for the teaching
of theology this year. From our esteemed brother, John Keane, titular
bishop of Jassus and rector of this same University, whom you sent us,
we have received with pleasure the statutes and laws of your University
which you submitted to our judgment and authority. The wisdom of your
decision is most praiseworthy to commemorate the auspicious centennial
of the establishment of the American hierarchy with the opportune dedication
of your University.
Approval
to Grant Degrees
2. We,
on our part, have not delayed to fulfill your desires and have entrusted
the constitutions of your University to a committee of cardinals selected
from the sacred Christian council, the Propaganda, for examination and
evaluation. Now with their decision before us, we happily assent to your
requests and with this present letter approve by our authority the laws
and statutes of your University and endow it with the rights proper to
a lawfully constituted University. We likewise empower your school of
higher studies to confer all academic degrees upon those students whose
learning has been tested and approved, and also graduate degrees in philosophy,
theology and canon law and in those other departments in which the different
degrees and doctorates are usually conferred, whenever those faculties
will have been established.
Chancellor
3. We
desire, furthermore, our beloved son and venerable brothers, that you
or competent bishops appointed by you vigilantly superintend the preservation
of the correct system of studies and the discipline of students in your
academic institution. Since, moreover, the principal See of the United
States of North America is in Baltimore, We confer on the Archbishop of
Baltimore and his successors the office and authority of chancellor or
chief academic controller.
Fields
of Study
4. It
is also Our wish that for a safeguard the traditional course of studies
or program of disciplines of your University, and especially insofar as
they pertain to philosophy and theology, be presented to this Holy See
for examination to insure our consistent and valid approval. In addition,
We desire that every department of learning in this same University be
so constituted that clerical and lay youth may have equal opportunity
to fulfill a novel desire for knowledge. We wish, moreover, that in your
program of studies a school of pontifical canon law be set up, for We
deem such knowledge very important and particularly in our times. We urge
you all, on the other hand, to be sure that your seminaries, colleges
and other Catholic institutions be affiliated with the University as suggested
in its statutes, but, however, without impairment of their autonomy.
5. In
order that as many as possible may enjoy more abundantly the benefits
of the teaching of the University in its various faculties, let these
schools of philosophy and theology devotedly serve not only those who
have completed their studies according to the decrees of the Third Plenary
Council of Baltimore, but also those who wish to begin or continue their
studies.
Contributions
6. Truly,
since this great University of higher studies not only brings increased
glory to your country, but promises salutary benefits in the propagation
of sound doctrine and in the protection of Catholic piety, we are justly
confident that the American faithful in their liberality will not disappoint
you in bringing to magnificent completion the work they have so generously
begun.
7. As
the University at Washington is established by this letter, we desire
that no other institution of this nature shall be undertaken by anyone
without consulting the Apostolic See.
8. We
believe that the message of this Our letter is evident proof to you of
our sincere solicitude that the glorious progress of the Catholic religion
increase daily in your country. We beseech most merciful God from whom
comes every good endowment and every perfect gift without variation (Jas
1.17) to grant the prayers of your faithful and bless your project with
favorable and happy issue.
9. With
best wishes We lovingly impart Our Apostolic Blessing as a testimony of
Our sincere love for you, Our beloved son, and you, Our venerable brothers,
and the clergy and faithful whom you watch over, as a token of all heavenly
gifts.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's, 7 March, 1889, on the feast of Thomas Aquinas
in the twelfth year of Our Pontificate.
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