PERGRATA
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
THE CHURCH IN PORTUGAL
To
the Bishops of Portugal.
Venerable Brethren, Greetings and Apostolic Benediction.
Your
gratifying joint letter was received last month. It gave convincing evidence
that you and your people are aware of Our most recent agreement with the
kingdom of Portugal, and that you approve of it and expect that it will
greatly benefit the common good. What was proposed to Us in all these
negotiations was that the privileges which the Roman Pontiffs had given
to your kings, who have supported the Catholic cause, might be preserved
for the prestige of the empire, and at the same time that the Christian
interests of the Indians be better provided for. We seem to have partly
achieved this purpose, and We have confidence that We will achieve it
all with the gift and the blessing of God. Therefore, considering this
most desirable outcome, We look to the future not prophetically but with
a firm hope that the Christian name in your Portugal will continue to
flourish for the common good and grow greater from day to day.
2. We
shall be the first to strive that the final outcome will fully justify
Our hope. May God be propitious! Without doubt We shall find great
assistance in the prudence
and vigilance of your bishops, in the skillful support of the clergy,
and in the good will of the Portuguese people. Indeed in a cause so noble
and fruitful, the cooperation of all the men ruling the state will be
at hand. We have no doubt that they will assist Us with their impartial
wisdom, as We have recently had proof, and that they will continue to
do so. And this the more because zeal for the Catholic faith and the tradition
of Church service is not unusual in Portugal nor of recent origin, but
is long-standing and renowned.
Notable
Portuguese Achievements
3. Though
Portugal is located at the extremity of the Spanish peninsula and hemmed
in by narrow boundaries, your renowned kings, have nevertheless extended
their empire into Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Thus Portugal yields to none
of the more distinguished nations and even excels many. - Where did they
find the strength equal to the magnitude of their undertakings? If one
is to judge them in truth, it was from their love of religion. For in
their dangerous expeditions to barbarous nations, they were inspired,
as can often be proven, to serve Christ before their own advantage or
glory, to spread the Christian religion
before extending their empire. Together with the visible image of the
wounds of Jesus Christ, which was the popular flag of the nation, your
ancestors had the holy cross on their galleys. In battle they were devout
and confident that they would win noble victories whose glory would remain,
not so much by arms as by the cross. Their piety was particularly evident
when the kings of Portugal diligently sought out apostolic men from other
nations, men to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis Xavier. More than
once these men were given the authority of Apostolic Nuncios by the Roman
Pontiffs. It was most unusual and will forever accrue to the praise of
your ancestors that their leaders brought the light of the Christian faith
to the most remote peoples and so merited well of the Apostolic See.
Gratitude
of Rome
4. Nor
was there ever a time when Our predecessors failed to give evidence of
gratitude to your nation. An excellent proof of this is the unusual insignia
given to your kings. We often recall the great things that have been accomplished
by a nation comparatively small, and exult to use the Portuguese as an
example to illustrate the great power of religion and piety. At the same
time We are deeply moved by feelings of admiration and benevolence. So
let it be. Recently We showed Our paternal benevolence when We arbitrated
in the controversy concerning the East India matter. We treated Portugal
as liberally as the nature of Our office permitted. Since it is just for
equals to receive and return good will, We expect much from the friendly
government of that state. We are confident that they will not only use
the greatest care in carrying out what was agreed upon, but that they
will work together with Us and in consultation with you to repair the
damage which the Church suffered there.
Effect
upon the State
5. And
the damage is significant, especially if We consider the condition of
your clergy and of the religious orders, whose downfall has affected not
only the Church but the state as well. We have seen a dearth of prudent
and strenuous helpers, who would have labored to shape the habits of the
people, to educate the youth, and to train the colonists themselves in
a Christian way of life. Today especially, with the great need for
sacred missions in
the interior of Africa, We feel this loss.
Faith
of the Portuguese
6. Now
if We consider the sources of these evils, We conclude that the desire
for impiety, which grew so greatly during the preceding century, was not
primary, even though it penetrated your minds too as by the contagion
of disease and by its presence gave rise to serious problems. Nevertheless
those who maintain that greater harm was done by internal discord in the
conduct of political parties and by the upheavals of seditious mobs seem
close to the truth. For no force could extinguish and no means could shake
the belief and the ancient faith in the Roman Pontiff of the Portuguese
people. In the very midst of the storms in your state, your people always
held that concord with the Church is the great beginning on which Christian
states ought to be ruled. For this reason the holy bond of religious unity
not only remained unbroken, but by the authority and consent of the law,
this bond afforded the foundation for political regulation. These consoling
facts show that the Catholic cause can be easily strengthened with suitable
remedies. Good seeds are still alive; when in constancy of mind and concord
they have matured the will, they will produce an abundance of the desired
fruit.
Religion
an Integral Part of the Portuguese Government
7. Those
who are at the head of the government and whose cooperation is so necessary
to heal the wounds of the Church easily understand that, just as Portugal
attained great glory from the strength and blessings of the Catholic religion,
so too the Church provides the only speedy elimination of the causes of
evil. The state must always be governed under the leadership and guidance
of this same religion. If this is done wisely, then the government will
conform to the genius, the character, and the will of the people. For
the Catholic faith is the legitimate religion of Portugal. Therefore it
is entirely fitting that it be defended by the protection of the law and
the authority of the state officials, and that its safety, continuance,
and honor be publicly assured. Let its freedom and action legitimately
lie in the political as well as ecclesiastical power. All should
be convinced of what
daily experience confirms, that far from opposing the civil power by invidious
rivalry, the Church aids the safety of the citizens and public tranquillity.
Relationship
between Religion and Politics
8. On
the other hand, those ecclesiastical authorities should realize that the
rulers of the state can and ought to trust them; nor should the ecclesiastical
rulers accept a cause, such as retaining laws, which the interests of
the Church do not want retained. Suspicion and lack of trust often result
from the rivalry of political parties. This you know well from experience.
Surely the greatest duty of Catholic men and especially of clerics is
never to support a cause or to offer an opinion if it conflicts with the
faith of the Church or counteracts the preservation of its rights. Everyone
may hold his own opinion in purely political matters and defend it honestly
and legitimately, provided it is not contrary to religion or justice.
Yet those, if there are any, who do not distinguish clearly between what
is holy and what is merely civil, commit a pernicious error which lends
the name of religion to a political party.
9. Therefore
if prudence and moderation are used, not only will there be no room for
suspicion, but that unity of Catholics which We so vehemently desire will
be strengthened. If it was more difficult formerly to obtain this unity,
the reason was perhaps too many, surely more than was reasonable, tenaciously
clung to their opinions and never for any reason retreated from their
partisan position. These positions, though they cannot be criticized if
kept within bounds, nevertheless greatly impede the attainment of the
unanimity so greatly desired.
10. Therefore
cultivate a salutary union of minds, prudently removing any and all obstacles.
You will succeed better by putting all your concerns together and acting
nor individually, but as a group, in matters of such great importance.
In the first place therefore it seems that you need timely communications
and the selection of a group of councillors. That this will aptly achieve
your purpose you can hardly deny, especially if you consider the norms
proposed and prescribed by the Apostolic See to deal with such matters,
i. e., Our Encyclical letters about the Christian regulation of the state.
11. For
the rest We shall not mention in detail
everything which requires suitable remedies, particularly since these
matters are better understood by those of you whom the force of the difficulties
especially oppresses. Nor shall We mention those matters that require
action by the civil power in order that the Catholic cause may receive
the just consideration it deserves. The government cannot doubt Our paternal
interest nor your compliance with civil law; thus it is proper to trust
that it will give full weight to Our and your good will. It will then
strive to restore a Church afflicted with so many evils to its due degree
of liberty and dignity. As for Us, as Our duty demands, We shall always
be prepared to act in ecclesiastical affairs and to decide with common
consent what is most appropriate. We are also prepared to gladly accept
good and just conditions.
Seminaries
12. But
there are some significant things which your diligence must cure one by
one. The first matter is the shortage of priests caused by an insufficiency
of seminaries. As a result neither the Christian instruction of the faithful
nor the administration of the sacraments has received proper care. Now,
however, by the blessing of divine Providence each diocese has its own
seminary; where the seminaries have not yet been restored, We hope that
they will be shortly. Here then is the means of supplying a body of priests,
provided the learning of the candidates is such as reason demands. We
entrust this matter to you, as We respect your prudence and wisdom. However
lest you should lack Our advice in this matter, consider as addressed
to yourselves what We have prescribed a short time ago to the bishops
of Hungary:
13. "In
the education of clerics two elements are essential: learning for the
development of the mind and virtue for the perfection of the soul. To
the humanistic curriculum by which youths are educated must be added sacred
and canonical studies. Care must be taken that their content is sound,
entirely pure, and in full harmony with the documents of the Church; today
especially the style must be forceful and eloquent, so that he may be
able to exhort . . . and to refute those who contradict. - Holiness of
life without which knowledge puffs up and does not edify, consists not
only in good and honorable habits, but also in
that body of sacerdotal virtues which makes good priests exemplars of
Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest. . . . In these institutions take
care that the men appointed as teachers be men of sound doctrine and good
morals, men to whom you can entrust a matter of such great importance.
Choose rectors and spiritual directors who are outstanding for prudence,
counsel, and experience. The common life and discipline should be so arranged
by your authority that the students will never offend against piety; furthermore
there should be an abundance of all aids which nourish piety, so that
the seminarians may make daily progress in acquiring the virtues proper
to the sacerdotal state."
Priests
as Good Examples
14. Moreover
your vigilance for your priests must be great and even singular, so that
the smaller the number of workers, the greater their zeal in cultivating
the vineyard of the Lord. The words of the Gospel, the harvest is indeed
great, seem to apply literally to you, since the people of Portugal have
always loved religious instruction; they receive it eagerly when they
perceive in the priests, their teachers, the embellishments of virtue
and the reputation for learning. It is marvelous how fruitful the future
work of the clergy will be in instructing the people, but especially the
youth, when that work is crowned with dignity and zeal. Good example is
the best means of cultivating in men the love of virtue. For this reason
let all priests take care not only that nothing is noted in them which
is at variance with their office and the rules of their state, but also
that the holiness of their lives and morals may shine forth, like a Lamp
on a lampstand, giving Light to all in the house.
Printed
Material
15. A
third problem which should engage your continuous care concerns the printed
material that is published either daily or at stated intervals. You know
the times, venerable brethren: on the one hand men are consumed with an
insatiable passion for reading; on the other an enormous amount of bad
literature is freely disseminated. Given these facts it is impossible
to estimate how much harm is done to good morals, what destruction daily
threatens the integrity of religion. Therefore by exhortation, by admonition,
by every possible means continue to call
men back from such fountains of corruption and lead them to salutary waters.
It will be a great help if by your initiative and leadership daily papers
are published, under the patronage of truth, virtue, and religion, to
offset these poisonous evils. Now an admonition for authors who by an
honest and holy determination combine the love of writing with a love
and zeal for the Catholic cause. If they really want their works to be
fruitful and worthy of praise, let them remember what is required of those
who engage in controversy for a good cause. In writing they must exercise
the greatest care to be moderate and prudent, but above all loving. Love
is the mother and companion of all the other virtues. You can see that
fickle suspicion and rash accusations are detrimental indeed to fraternal
love. From this you can understand the injustice of those who, in favoring
one political party, do not hesitate in matters of religion to accuse
others of unorthodoxy. They do this only because they belong to another
party, as though orthodox Catholic faith is necessarily the prerogative
of this or that political party.
16. We
commend all which We have either warned against or commanded to your authority,
which all whom you govern must respect and accept. This applies especially
to priests who are subject to you in their private and public lives, whether
they are engaged in the duties of the sacred ministry or in teaching in
the schools. They never cease to be under the authority of the bishops.
And just as they are obliged to lead others to the beauty of virtue by
their example, so too must they lead others to obedience and the submission
due to episcopal authority.
17. That
everything may proceed prosperously according to Our desire, We ask for
heavenly assistance. First of all let us approach that perennial font
of divine grace, the holy Heart of our Savior Jesus Christ, devotion to
whom is both primary and ancient with you. We implore the patronage of
the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, under whose special guardianship
the kingdom of Portugal boasts to be. Finally we ask for the intercession
of St. Elizabeth, the most holy of royal and saintly women, and of all
the holy martyrs who in the first days of the Church established or propagated
Christianity in Portugal.
18. Meanwhile,
as proof of Our good will and as a promise of heavenly gifts, We grant
you, your clergy,
and all your people most affectionately Our Apostolic Blessing in the
Lord.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's, September 14, 1886, in the ninth year of Our
Pontificate.
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