IN
IPSO
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII
ON EPISCOPAL REUNIONS
IN AUSTRIA
To
the Bishops of Austria.
At the
very beginning of our Pontificate, as We reviewed the entire Catholic
world, We found much cause for joy in the many and various good works
in which the bishops, the secular and religious clergy, and the faithful
are constantly engaged. Nevertheless, it grieves Us to think that the
enemies of the Church, joined in most wicked conspiracy, scheme to weaken
and even, if possible, utterly wipe out that wondrous edifice which God
Himself has erected as a refuge for the human race. This combat ardently
waged against the Church far and wide, although carried on in different
ways for different places, has one established plan: to remove all traces
of religion from families, schools, laws, and institutions; to deprive
the Church itself of its means of action and that singular virtue it possesses
for the common good; and to infiltrate every vein, as it were, of domestic
and civil society with the most dangerous poison of their errors. And
so these adversaries have left nothing untried; their license has been
boundless. In number and with violence, they have assailed the rights,
liberty and dignity of the Church; the bishops and all ranks of the clergy;
and especially the authority of the Roman Pontiff as well as the Pontiff
himself. As a result
of these attacks on the Catholic name, grave ills have befallen nations.
The enemies extend their perverse views ever more widely, and the immorality
and rebellion which accompany such views sweep away souls with the result
that greater dangers daily threaten states and governments. Nor was any
other result to be expected. Religion is the strongest bulwark of the
state. It can, by proper warning and salutary prohibition, hold people
fast to their obligations. But when religion is weakened, or worse still,
tossed aside, then straightaway the foundations of society waver and are
destroyed.
Bishops
Have United to Eradicate Evil
2. These
evils We have openly denounced at every opportunity. In Our communications,
We have pointed out to those in authority how closely the interests of
religion and the state are intertwined, while at the same time exhorting
the faithful to properly cherish and diligently fulfill the teachings
of the Church. But Our special appeal has been directed to Our venerable
brother bishops, whom the Holy Spirit has set up as leaders in the Church
and has imbued with the abundant light of His grace. We urge them to keep
watch as sentinels in all parts of the world so that they might know both
what remedies are to be
applied in the present circumstances and what snares are to be avoided
in the case of each individual nation. Thus they should be Our best helpers
in Our efforts to obtain the salvation of Catholic nations. And, indeed,
We owe abundant thanks to God for the admirable unanimity and concern
with which the entire body of bishops has responded to Our exhortation;
they use their talents and devotion to defend the Catholic faith and preserve
human society. They recall it to the virtues consonant with that faith,
away from the greatest ills, thus bringing it to true prosperity.
Advantages
of Unity
3. In
this so noble rivalry of pastoral zeal the Austrian bishops have distinguished
themselves and deserve much praise. We know how diligently you toil to
eradicate from the German speaking peoples any trace of evil and to foster
in them the seeds of Christian life. Indeed, We recently learned that
you collectively sent a letter to the faithful of your dioceses; this
proves the most profound union of your wills when there is question of
defending Catholic interests. Accordingly, that this unanimity might flourish
in the future and that your efforts might proceed in the same pathway
to the same determined end, it would be opportune for the bishops to hold
annual conferences among themselves; these may be the source of a fruitful
union of minds and action. Meetings like these already flourish in many
places and have already produced happy results. For, by this means the
bishops have had a greater abundance of counsel made available to them.
In addition, their resolution of spirit has been strengthened, their zeal
for things of religion has been aroused, and no small number of decisions
have been carried out which are helpful for the Catholic enterprise. Moreover,
such agreement has not only increased the respect and immense gratitude
of their people toward them, but has also encouraged lay people, even
of other nations, to deliberate equally harmoniously on how they might
best undertake the defense of religion, as well as the state, in its present
affliction.
Catholics
Joining Forces
4. Indeed,
from these assemblies and exhortations on the part of bishops, Catholics
have been inspired to hold and attend similar assemblies on the national,
provincial, or local level,
an undertaking of the greatest foresight. For, if evil men, strong in
numbers and acumen unite here and there and conspire together to treacherously
deprive Catholics of the gift of faith and its attendant advantages, surely
it is right and necessary that Catholics should utilize their zeal and
abilities to resist. In such gatherings, they can more freely and firmly
undertake the profession of their faith and repel the enemy attacks upon
it.
Bond
Between Laity and Hierarchy
5. Moreover,
there will be important subjects for the assembled bishops to discuss.
In these calamitous and trying times, We judge that above all efforts
should be made to unite the hierarchy with Christian families to effect
a more perfect union. Then the faithful may adhere to their bishops with
all good will and reverence, and in a special manner may bravely profess
their fidelity, obedience, and filial piety toward the bishop of the universal
church. For, surely, to support the view that the Roman Pontiff should
not be subject to any human power, but remain completely free, is the
sacred obligation not of any one nation, but of the whole Catholic world.
Therefore the bishops with united minds and efforts should see to it that
the zeal of the faithful be aroused for this most just cause and that
they urge its speedy accomplishment.
Advantages
of Assemblies
6. In
these same assemblies the bishops can conveniently communicate with one
another if some more complex problems have arisen in their local churches;
also they can discuss certain matters in common letters or decrees, if
it seems useful. Likewise the care for the formation and education of
the clergy, which is the greatest and most salutary concern for a bishop,
will occupy its place in these discussions: how the discipline of life
in seminaries may conform to the norms of the Council of Trent; by what
principal means piety and noble qualities may be inculcated in the seminarians;
how they can be encouraged to excel in higher learning; and what methods
the clergy can use to save souls.
How
to Guide the Faithful
7. As
for the faithful, who are exposed to such dangers and snares, propose
various aids which they can themselves apply: sermons on divine
subjects; catechetical instruction suitable for different persons, ages,
and places, pious sodalities of many kinds, which the Church recommends;
the proper observation of the religious feasts; those institutes or works
which will preserve the faithful, especially young people, from corruption
and will encourage frequent reception of the sacraments; finally, books,
newspapers, and similar publications which will advance the faith and
safeguard morals.
Publications
8. It
is very important that you encourage Catholic writers and editors so that
they may develop and extend publications in a more effective way. Excellent
writings of this sort, which are published regularly, have everywhere
greatly helped both religion and the state, either because they support
and advance them directly or because in recanting the damaging writings
of the adversaries, they restrain their improper contagion. In the Austrian
empire their value is immense, since the enemies of the Church publish
their writings regularly. With their abundant means, they disseminate
their publications easily and widely. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary
to match for writing in equal number, and thus be able to blunt their
weapons, detect their evil designs, check their malice, and promote the
cause of duty and virtue. Accordingly, it will be helpful if each region
has its own newspapers-champions, as it were, of the altar and hearth-that
conform to the prudence and direction of the bishop. Moreover, the clergy
should benignly favor them and offer them the assistance of their learning;
Catholics should support them well.
The
Cause of Workers
9. In
addition, another matter which is close to
your hearts must be safeguarded. In fact, you have already sent a joint
letter to the faithful. It is the cause of workers, who sorely need the
support of religion both for the honorable accomplishment of their labors
and for the alleviation of their sufferings. Their cause is closely connected
with the social question; the more difficulties it encounters, the more
pressing is its need for attention. If the bishops direct their attention
to this question, if they see to it that justice and charity influence
all classes of society and are deeply imprinted in souls, if by their
authority and activity they come to the aid of the lowly condition of
workers, they will have deserved well of the Church and society alike.
10. These
and other important questions will be the subjects for deliberation at
the annual conferences of bishops which We wish to introduce. We are fully
persuaded that all the bishops of Austria will carry out these Our wishes,
which a holy zeal for religion and the most benevolent charity toward
your Catholic people inspire.
11. Meanwhile,
as a presage of divine graces and in testimony of Our paternal good wishes,
dear sons, and venerable brethren, We impart to you most affectionately
in the Lord and to the whole Austrian nation the Apostolic Blessing.
Given
in Rome at St. Peter's, 3 March 1891, in the 14th year of Our Pontificate.
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