OMNIBUS
COMPERTUM
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON UNITY
AMONG THE GREEK MELCHITES
To
the Greek Melchite Patriarch, Archbishops, and Bishops.
Everybody
knows very well, venerable brothers, that at the beginning of Our pontificate,
We gave Our affectionate attention to the Christian peoples of the East.
In addition, in several acts which We published, especially in the constitution
Orientalium, We have made many timely declarations designed to bind these
peoples more closely to the See of Peter and to encourage the reconciliation
of dissidents. We have since found other occasions to show effectively
Our good will toward Eastern Catholics. Nothing has been more precious,
more sacred to Us than arousing the ardor and the richness of faith in
those who are in communion with the Apostolic See so that they strive
to achieve the same glory and excellence by imitating the example of their
ancestors.
Previous
Assistance for the Antiochene Greek Melchites
2. Among
all the Eastern churches, We bestow, and have always bestowed, a special
affection on the illustrious nation and patriarchate of the Greek Melchites
of Antioch. To recall only a few brief items, you know very well that,
in the year
1882, We founded a seminary for the Greek Melchites in the city of Jerusalem
and placed the White Fathers in charge. In addition at Our own expense,
We see to the education of many young men of the same Greek Melchite nation
at the college of St. Athanasius in Rome that they may draw Catholic truth
right from its very source and become accustomed by its presence to honor
and love the center of unity which God has placed in the Apostolic See.
Finally in 1894, as can be seen in the same constitution Orientalium,
We conferred on the Greek Melchite patriarch jurisdiction over all the
faithful of the same rite who live within the borders of the Turkish empire.
3. We
are glad to state that the religious exertion of your Order has kept pace
with the paternal good will which We have shown toward the Greek Melchite
nation both by the zeal which you show in fulfilling your ministry, called
on as you are to bear a portion of Our cares, and by the diligence with
which you provide for the well-being of the flock entrusted to your care.
But even though the commemoration of all those matters involves the praise
of your Order, We cannot, however, hide the sadness We felt when We learned
that certain minor disagreements had recently risen among you. With the
favor and the help
of God's grace, We have been able to appease such a disagreement. For
when you came to Rome last month and complied with Our exhortations with
a laudable docility, peace and harmony were immediately restored.
Three
Recommendations to Ensure Harmony
4. Now
to consolidate this agreement, We think We should make three statements
in particular in this letter.
I. Concerning
the rights, privileges, duties, and prerogatives of the patriarch, We
wish that nothing be taken away from them nor be decreased; but at the
same time, We strongly ask Our venerable brother, the patriarch of Antioch,
to show a fitting respect for and to embrace with fraternal charity the
bishops of his nation "whom the Holy Spirit has placed in charge
of the Church of God," in conformity with the precept of St. Peter,
the prince of the apostles: "Be not as masters among your people,
but from the heart become an example for the flock."(1) That is also
what the beautiful words of St. Bernard express: "May love accomplish
more than power."
II. We
also remind all the bishops of the same nation that they owe homage and
deference to the patriarch We have praised. They should show him the submission
that is due him as their legitimate superior. If some controversy arises
between them, they should humbly submit it first of all to the judgment
of the patriarch. If it turns out that the question cannot be resolved,
it should be respectfully referred to the Holy See.
III.
To prevent future contestations of rights, it would be most effective
to convene a plenary Council. That is why, as We have already recommended
to you on other occasions, We prescribe it for you now by this letter.
The Council should be convened as soon as possible. The following matters
should be discussed: the rights of the patriarch and of the bishops; the
correct administration of the faithful; the discipline of the clergy,
monastic orders, and other religious institutions; the needs of missions;
the beauty of divine worship; the sacred liturgy; and other related matters
which should be considered with prudent care to ensure the greater glory
of God and to increase the honor of the Greek Melchite church. As the
other Eastern churches have drawn great profit from
the meeting of their national council in arranging their affairs and in
restoring ecclesiastical discipline, so We can rightly promise magnificent
results for your church from the composition and promulgation of written
laws.
Concluding
Exhortation
5. Now,
before bringing this letter to a close, We urge and beseech you from the
bottom of Our heart that, linked more closely by the bonds of charity
as each day passes, "You strive with all humility and gentleness
to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." None of
you is unaware of how much harmony of spirit, heart, and opinion affects
the good of the whole Church and assists in the reconciliation of dissidents.
For this reason, venerable brothers, We have the certain hope that you
will destroy the seeds of dissension at their roots, deferring with gladness
to these paternal admonitions, to these desires, to these demands which
We formulate and thus complete Our joy and acquit yourselves of all aspects
of your solemn duty for the perfection of the saints in the building up
of the body of Christ. Be assured that Our fixed intention is to give
every assistance which can contribute to the greater good of the Greek
Melchite Church. Meanwhile,
in the humility of Our heart, We pray and beseech God to generously bestow
His heavenly gifts on you. As a sign of divine protection and as a testimony
of the great love We have for you in the Lord, We very affectionately
bestow Our apostolic blessing on you, venerable brothers, on all your
clergy, and on all the Greek Melchite faithful laity.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's on the 21st of July 1900, the twenty-third year
of Our Pontificate.
REFERENCE:
1. 1
Pr 5.3.
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