OF

llis LORDSHIP the BISHOP of OTTAWA

To publish the Encyclical Diutunum illud of the Sovereign Pontiff, dated 24t h June, 1881.

JOSEPH THOMAS DUHAMEL

By the Grâce of God and the Favor of the Holy . Iposlolic See, Bishop of Ottawa.

To the Clergy, to the Religions Communities and to ail the faithiul of our diocèse; Health and Bénédiction in our Lord.

Very Dear Brethren,

In an Encyclical Letter which we shaîl transmit to von to-day, the Pope lias deigned to give another warning to nations ;md to civil authorities. We do nol doubt that you will listen to it with, ail the respect and submission due to the words of the Vicar oi JesUfi Christ. In (lus; admirable letter. llis Holiness

prings to oui mind the Gatholic doctrine concerning authority, its origin, its rights and its duties, Léo

XIII boldly attacks ail revolutionary principles, and shows, both by history and by reason that the Catholic Church alone is powerful enough tu dispel the dark errors of révolution by the truth of her dogmas ; to paralyse the vital forces of this terrible enemy by her morality, and to destroy by her authority the power of the devil, the first revolutionist.

Alas ! not one among you is ignorant of the facl that âgainst the church of Jésus Christ a numerous and powerful sect is rising, whose plan of war and programme of reform is well laid out. For a long time it has been growing in the shade, and, there has grown so strong, that now it can strive openly with ail authority, human and divine, and dictate its laws to nearly every government in the world. It calumniates society, in representing it as the seducer of mankind; it blasphèmes authority and extends its hatred to ail who défend it, whether it be priest, the magistrate, the soldier, the minister or the prince. What it wants is anarchy, disorder. adroitly disguised from the people under the magie name of Liberty. In its eyes, ail passions are good and should be satisfied consequently, what thirst for gain, for enjoyment, for commanding ! what egotism ! Will it hesitate to make use of means which are as contrary to good sensé as to good order, to arrive at its horrible end ? No, dearly beloved Brethren, enough has been said in the affirmative by the numerous outrages committed in our own âge against those in power, by the infernal constancy of the Nihilists, the streams of blood shed in 1793 and the petroleum of 1870.

To snatch us away and to préserve us from the murderous embrace of this blood-thirsty monster, Léo XIII has desired to remind us of the social doctrines of the church. Man was born with evil inclinations, subject to every infirmity, misery and sufFering.

True, lie was redeemed by Jésus; but in thus recovering his rights to future happiness, he only obtained for this life, grâce to bear ail his su fie rings witn résignation^ to overcoine his vicious inclinations, and to weave for himself an immortal crown. Far, then, from attributing to authority and tosociety the evils inhérent to his nature, he will discover their source in himself and will see in society a powerful îneans of subduing them, while he finds in authority a guide and a ïriend. Let him arnend himself, and society will amend. Ah ! If insiead of unbridling his passions, each Christian would try to combat them, how quickly everything would change in troubled society ! Peace, order and liberty would repdace division, confusion and despotism. A tender brotherhood would soon be established among men. The charitable rich person would inclin»' towards the poor, and know how to give a kind word of consolation and hope writh an a lins ; and the poor mari would view the prosperity oi his more favored fellow-being without envy or hatred. Happy state of society, very dear Brethren, ibr which wé should constantly pray.

Our Legislators will soon assemble; let us pray Our Divine Lord that they may fully comprehend that therr can cxist no real welfare in society outside the truth and virtues taught by the church. ;uid that ail wise legislators must be inspired by the Divine Wisdom by which kings rule, and princes distribute justice.

WherefoTe, ili»' holy name of G-od being invoked, We decree and ordain whatfoilows :

Ist. The Encyclical letter Diuturnum illurf will be read ai the prone of parochial masses and at chapter in religious communities, the Brsl or second îSunda) after the réception ofthe presenl Pastoral Letter.

2nd. [mmediatel] after the divine office on the sundaya which précède tl).> opening of the Local

tind Fédéral Houses of Ontario and Québec, th<» Vent Creator with the verses, anthems and prayer, will be sung or recited to implore the light of the Jioly Grhost on our Legislators, and the blessing of Almighty Grod on ail Christendom

3rd. The présent Pastoral Letter will be read in ail ehurches at the prone oï parochial masses, and at chapter in religious communities, the lirst sunday after its réception.

G-iven at Ottawa, under our hand and the seal of the diocèse, and countersigned by our Secretary. the twenty-first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, Feast of St. Thomas. Apostle.

t .T. THOMAS, Bp. of Ottawa.

By Command,

J. A. Cadigan,

Sécrétait/.