AD
EXTREMAS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON
SEMINARIES FOR NATIVE CLERGY
To
Our Venerable Brothers, the Patriarchs, Archbishops and
Bishops and other Ordinaries in Peace and Communion with the Holy See.
Venerable
Brothers, Health and Apostolic Benediction.
The
Orient, courageously and successfully explored by the Portugese, is coveted
by many today for its lucrative trade. We, however, have a more noble
purpose in mind. We reflect upon those immense regions of the Indies where
for many centuries men of the Gospel have expended their labor. Our thoughts
turn first of all to the blessed Apostle Thomas who is rightly called
the founder of preaching the Gospel to the Hindus. Then, there is Francis
Xavier, who long afterwards dedicated himself zealously to the same praiseworthy
calling. Through his extraordinary perseverence, he converted hundreds
of thousands of Hindus from the myths and vile superstitions of the Brahmans
to the true religion. In the footsteps of this holy man followed numerous
priests, secular and religious, who with the authority and permission
of the Holy See strove untiringly to preserve and promote the Christian
mysteries and institutions introduced by Thomas and renewed by Xavier.
To this day, they are continuing these noble efforts; nevertheless, in
the vast reaches of the earth, many are still deprived of the truth, miserably
imprisoned in the darkness of superstition! How very great a field, especially
in the north, lies yet uncultivated to receive the seed of the Gospel!
2.
Pondering these needs, We place our trust in Our Savior who alone knows
the exact circumstance and time to bestow his light; he is wont to direct
the mind and hearts of men by divine inspiration. But, assuredly, We ought
to exert every possible effort to convert such a great part of the world.
We have been searching for possible ways of better organizing and expanding
Christianity in the East Indies, we have decided upon certain measures
to help achieve Our goal.
New Dioceses
3.
First of all, to be sure, with respect to the patronato of the Portuguese
people in the East Indies, We have concluded a formal pact with the most
faithful king of Portugal and Algerve. This agreement has removed the
causes of dissensions, which had disrupted Christians for so long a time.
These communities have been under obedience to apostolic vicars and prefects.
We have decided to form them into dioceses with their own bishops to be
administered by ordinary right. Therefore, by the apostolic letter,
Humanae
salutis, given on the first of September, 1886, a new hierarchy has
been instituted in those regions, consisting of eight church provinces,
namely, Goa as the patriarchal see, Agra, Bombay, Verapoly, Calcutta,
Madras, Pondichery and Colombo. Furthermore, through the Congregation
of the Propagation of the Faith, We will do whatever will be fruitful
there for salvation and for the increase of faith and piety.
Native Clergy
4.
The preservation of the Christian faith among the Hindus will be precarious
and its propagation uncertain as long as there is not a native clergy
properly trained for priestly duties, not only to be of assistance to
foreign priests, but also to be in rightful charge of the administration
of the Christian Church in their cities. Tradition tells us that Frances
Xavier maintained this same opinion. They say that he used to assert that
the Christian cause in India could never have firm roots without the continuing
dedication of a pious and zealous clergy native to India. It is clearly
evident that he had a keen understanding of the issue. Certainly the work
of the missionaries coming from Europe is beset with many obstacles. Most
especially, indeed, is their unfamiliarity with the vernacular, which
is very difficult to learn. There is also the remoteness of institutions
and customs which remain unfamiliar even after a long period of time.
Hence, the European clergy is forced to live there as in a strange land.
Since a foreign clergy, therefore, has difficulty in winning the hearts
of the people, it is plain that the work of a native clergy would be far
more fruitful. From experience, they know the nature and customs of their
people; they know when to speak and when to keep silent. In fine, they
live among Hindus as Hindus without causing any suspicion and it is, indeed,
difficult to say how important this is especially in times of crisis.
5.
Then, again, it is necessary to realize that the number of missionaries
abroad is far from adequate to serve the existing Christian communities.
This deficiency is plainly evident from the mission statistics. The missionaries
in India keep on imploring the Sacred Congregation for more preachers
of the Gospel. Now, if there are not enough foreign priests to care for
souls, what will happen in the future when the number of Christians will
have multiplied? Nor, indeed, is there any reason to hope that the number
of missionaries will increase proportionately. Consequently, if we want
to be concerned for the salvation of India and the establishment of Christianity
in that immense region on a firm foundation, we will have to select candidates
from the native people, who after careful training will assume priestly
functions and duties.
6.
Thirdly, we must not overlook an eventuality, even though at the present
time it is improbable. Such critical conditions could arise in Europe
or Asia that would compel foreign priests to leave the Indies. In that
event, how could religion survive without a native clergy: with no one
to administer the sacraments, no one to teach the law of God? The history
of the Chinese, Japanese, and Ethiopians speaks clearly enough about this
hazard. More than once, the Christians in Japan and China had to suffer
from hatred and calamity. The hostile people in power exiled and executed
alien priests, but spared the native. Because they were completely familiar
with the language and customs of their native land and were sustained
by friends and relatives, they were allowed not only to remain unharmed
in their country, but also to administer the sacraments freely, and perform
pastoral duties in all the provinces. On the contrary, the Ethiopia, where
Christians already numbered 200,000, a sudden storm of persecution completely
destroyed the fruits of long labor because there was no native clergy
when the European missionaries were killed or expelled.
7.
Finally, there must be respect for antiquity; whatever we see advantageously
established in times past must be religiously preserved. Now, it was the
practice of the Apostles first to instruct the multitude in Christian
precepts, then to select several from the people and initiate them into
the sacred mysteries and even elevate them to the episcopacy. This example
was followed afterwards by the Roman pontiffs. Their custom has always
been to direct missionaries to exert every means to select a native clergy
wherever the Christian community grew sufficiently large. To take care,
therefore, of the preservation and propagation of the Catholic religion
among the Hindus, a Hindu clergy has to be formed that could administer
the sacraments and govern the Christian people properly, no matter how
menacing the times.
Seminaries
8. For that reason,
the prefects of the Congregation of the Indies, with the advice and approval
of the Holy See, have founded seminaries for priests wherever possible.
The Synods, moreover, of Colombo, Bangalore and Allahabad, held at the
beginning of 1887, have decreed that every diocese should have its own
seminary for the training of a native clergy; if any of the suffragan
bishops do not have the financial means to do so, they are to have their
seminarians trained in the metropolitan seminary at their own expense.
The bishops are making every effort to implement these beneficial decrees,
but their most admirable willingness is hindered by lack of funds and
by the want of qualified priests to supervise instruction and direct discipline
judiciously. Hence, there are hardly any seminaries where candidates are
able to complete a prescribed course of studies-and this is at a time
when the civil government and Protestants, in large numbers, are sparing
no expense nor effort to offer young men a judicious and refined education.
9.
It is evident, therefore, how opportune it is and how consistent with
the public good to erect in the East Indies some seminaries where the
native youth, the hope of the Church, are educated in all the refinements
of doctrine and also in those virtues essential for the pious and wholesome
exercise of sacred functions. As the reasons for dissensions have been
removed by the pact agreed upon, and as the diocesan administration had
been erected by the hierarchy of the Church, we would seem to have attained
our goals if we could provide a sound basis for the training of the clergy.
For, as We have said, once seminaries for the clergy have been founded,
qualified priests in great numbers would come forth, and in spreading
the truth of the Gospel, would skilfully utilize the important resources
of their studies.
Financial Contributions
fitting
that Europeans make some financial contribution, especially because We
alone are not able to manage the vast cost of such an enterprise. It is
the mark of Christians to cherish all mankind as brothers wherever they
are, and to exclude no one from their love, particularly in matters upon
which the eternal salvation of their neighbour depends. We, therefore,
earnestly request that you will fully support our undertaking. Be sure
that the role of Christianity in such remote regions becomes well known.
Make your people understand that something must be done for the Hindus.
May they who believe that works of mercy are the most perfect investment
especially realize this need.
11.
We are convinced that we have not appealed in vain to the generosity of
your people. If the contributions should exceed the expenditures for the
seminaries which we have mentioned above, we shall take care that the
remaining funds will be used beneficially and conscientiously on other
projects.
12.
In token of heavenly favors, and as a witness of Our good will, most lovingly
in the Lord, We bestow upon you, venerable brothers, upon your clergy
and your people the Apostolic Blessing.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's, on the 24th day of June, in the year 1893, the
sixteenth year of Our pontificate.
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