NON
MEDIOCRI
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON THE
SPANISH COLLEGE IN ROME
To
the Bishops of Spain Concerning
the Foundation of a Roman College for Spanish Clerics.
With
no little care and vigilance, as you know, We have endeavored to safeguard
and augment the Catholic cause among you from the very beginning of Our
term of office. In the first place We strove to strengthen concord of
minds among you and to stimulate the fruitful industry of the clergy.
Now, however, animated by the same zeal, We have turned our attention
to your young clergy so that, taking counsel with you, We may devote some
care to their formation. - To this end, We pledge Our paternal benevolence.
And justly so: We are not forgetful of the interests of the Spanish people,
nor ignorant of your great and constant faith of old and your obedience
to the Apostolic See. This was why, as historical documents testify, the
reputation of Spain rose to such glory and why Spain became so great an
empire. Spain has often helped us in adversity; We are, therefore, greatly
pleased to respond in like affection of spirit.
Noteworthy Spaniards
2.
The Spanish clergy was long renowned for their religious learning and
the elegance of their writings. By these arts, they promoted the Christian
cause and contributed not a little to the reputation of their country.
Certainly there was no lack of generous men who patronized the arts and
offered aid appropriate to the times. Nor was there a lack of talent for
the cultivation of theological and philosophical disciplines and for letters.
To promote these studies We know how much the liberality of the Catholic
kings and the labor and perserverance of the bishops contributed. In its
turn the Apostolic See provided every kind of incentive, for it always
strove that the sanctity of Christian morals, might be augmented by the
light of philosophy and the splendor of humane letters. A number of extraordinary
men have left you a glorious heritage in these areas. We mention Francis
Suarez, John Lugo, Francis Toletus, and particularly Francis Ximenes.
The latter, by the leadership and under the protection of the Roman Pontiffs,
attained such eminence in learning that he illumined not only Spain, but
all of Europe, especially by his Complutensian Polyglot Bible. By these
men youths were taught by the splendor of wisdom in the Church of God.
They shone Like morning stars and illumined others in the avay of truth.(1)
From that harvest, so wisely and zealously cultivated, a cohort of illustrious
learned men arose, from which the Roman Pontiff and the Catholic King
chose men for
the Council of Trent. The expectations of both were singularly satisfied.
Nor is it remarkable that Spain produced such great men. For in addition
to natural talent, the appropriate aids and instruments by which a course
of studies is perfected were at hand. It is sufficient to recall the great
seats of learning Alcala de Henares and Salamanca. Under the vigilance
of the Church, they were renowned centers of Christian wisdom. Their memory
spontaneously recalls other colleges which have offered an appropriate
home for men outstanding in talent and passion for knowledge.
Uprooting of
Seminaries
3.
But now We are faced with a recent disaster. The upheavals of public events
which disturbed all of Europe beginning in the previous century have overturned
institutions as by a storm and torn them apart root and branch; both the
royal and the ecclesiastical authorities had provided these institutions
for the growth of faith and doctrine. When the Catholic Universities disappeared
with their colleges, the seminaries for clerics languished because the
fullness of learning, which had come from the great schools, gradually
withered away. Moreover, they could not maintain their former estate because
of internal wars and the mobs, which from time to time brought to nought
the studies and intellectual strength of the citizens.
Restoration
of Seminaries
4.
In time the Apostolic See intervened and earnestly sought, with the consent
of the civil power, to remedy ecclesiastical affairs which the preceding
storms had crippled. The chief concern was to restore, in the private
and public interest, the diocesan seminaries, which had been homes of
piety and erudition. But you know that it did not succeed according to
plan. For sufficient resources were not at hand; nor could the course
of studies rise again with the hope of glory because the destruction of
the Lycea had caused a dearth of suitable teachers. - It was agreed between
the two highest authorities that in some provinces general seminaries
be founded with the power that from their graduates those who had studied
theology more fully could be admitted to academic degrees after the old
manner. But there were and are today many obstacles to this. With the
help of the former Lycea removed, many resources are lacking; without
these the clergy can aspire
only with difficulty to the full and perfect praise of erudition. So there
is only one opinion among the prudent, that it is necessary to enlarge
and to reform the course of studies in the seminaries.
Educating Foreign
Students
5.
Thus We are quite concerned about this, especially in light of the pattern
left Us by Our predecessors, who never omitted an opportunity to encourage
higher studies. The remarkable forethought of the Pontiffs shines out
particularly in the fact that, to this very city, the first of all Catholic
communities, they summoned young clerics from abroad and gathered them
into colleges. They especially sought students whose countries lacked
adequate opportunities for learning or sound institutions, after the vigilance
of the Church had been rejected. For this end many minor seminaries were
established to which foreign students flocked to take up sacred studies;
they intended to use whatever blessings of mind and spirit they might
acquire in Rome for the ultimate benefit of their own countrymen. Since
much good has resulted from these efforts, We too considered it worthwhile
to increase the number of such colleges. Therefore We opened the college
for the Armenians in Rome and one for the Bohemians. We also restored
to its onetime dignity the college for the Maronites.
Seminaries for
Spaniards
6.
We were grieved to find that not many Spaniards were in this gathering
of foreign students. For this reason We made plans not only that the urban
college for Spanish clerics, which the wise labors of pious priests had
begun not long ago, be established on a firm foundation, but that expansion
would be possible. It is Our pleasure, therefore, that all students from
the Spanish peninsula and from the neighboring islands under the rule
of the Catholic king be assembled in it under our guardianship. They are
to live together under the direction of chosen authorities and devote
themselves to the study of those subjects which effectively develop their
talents and their minds. We contemplate donating a building in Rome suitable
for this work, a building named from its former owners, The Dukes of Altemps.
It now belongs to Us and the Apostolic See. It is particularly appropriate
since it is distinguished by the cemetery of St. Anicetus,
Pope and Martyr, whose relics are kept there. It is also noted for the
fact that St. Charles Borromeo once lived there. We therefore give the
legal use of this dwelling to the Spanish college of bishops, with the
condition that they use it to receive and house clerics of their dioceses,
should they decide to send some here for their studies. In order that
these plans may more quickly be carried out, and that there may be sufficient
time to adapt the buildings and make the other preparations, let the clerics
use a certain suitable portion of the house of the illustrious family
Alteria. We designate the Archbishops of Toledo and Seville to deal with
Us and Our successors concerning all more important matters of the college.
For the same reason We decree that he who presides over the college must
give a written account each year of its financial status, together with
a report concerning the discipline and conduct of the students, to Our
Sacred Council of Studies, as well as to the archbishops mentioned above.
They in turn will notify their colleagues, the
Bishops of Spain. - It is now your part to assist and execute what We
have begun. Do this as quickly and zealously as the matter demands and
your episcopal virtue promises. - Meanwhile We grant with love Our Apostolic
Benediction as a testimony of Our special benevolence to you, Venerable
Brethren, and also to the clergy and faithful entrusted to your vigilance.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's Oct. 25, 1893, in the sixteenth year of Our Pontificate.
REFERENCES:
1. Alexander VI in the bull Inter cetera, April 13, 1499.
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