RÉPONSE

S. Congregazione di Propaganda

Segreteria

Roma, Settembre 1884.

Ocagrro: Communicazione di risoluzioni,

Illmo e Rmo Signore,

La 8. V. con lettera del 5 Ottobre 1883 rimetteva alla S. Congne della Suprema Inquisizione gli statuti della Società dei Cavalieri del lavoro, e di quella dei Telegrafisti alfinché presi ad esame dal 8. Consesso, potesse dal medesimo giudicarsi sulla natura delle Nocietà suddette, e di altre consimili, che Ella diceva ampiamente propagate non solo nel Canadà ma anche negli Stati Uniti dell'America Settentrionale. Ore <li Emi Inquisitori Generali nella Congne dei 26 p p. Agosto, dopo accurato e maturo esame, emisero un Decreto del seguente tenore: * Speetatis principiis, organismo, ac statutis Nocie-

"tatis. Equitum. laborum prout exponuntur, Socie- *" tatem ipsam recensendam esse inter prohibitas a 8. “Sede, juxta instructionem hujus Supreme Conenis "diei 10 maii 1884 et ad mentem. Mens est ni "commendetur Episcopis ut tam quoad delatas, “quam quoad similes Societates procedant, atque * remedia adhibeant secundum mandata, et consilia. * quæ in eadem Instructione continentur, Intanto prego il Signore che lungamente La conservi e La prosperi.

Di V. 85.

Affmo come Fratello, * GIOVANNI CARD, SIMEONI, Prefetto + D. Arciv. TYREN.

Neg, Mgr. Alessandro Taschereau, Arcivo: di Quebec.

( Traduction.)

S. Con. de la Prop.

Secrétariat.

Rome, sept. 1884.

OpseT : Communication de résolutions.

Illme et Rme Seigneur,

Votre Seigneurie, par une lettre du 5 octobre 1888, remettait à la S. Congrégation de l'Inquisition les réglements de la société des * Chevaliers du travail” et de celle des * Télégraphistes,” afin que cette S. Congrégation, aprés les avoir examinés, püt prononcer un jugement sur la nature des sociétés susdites, et d'autres semblables, qui d'aprés Votre Seigneurie, sont amplement répandues non seule-

intur, Nocie- 'ohibitas a 8.

mm Conenis Mens est ut oad delatas, dant, atque 1, et consilia,

"mente La

IMEONI, Prefetto TYREN.

* Neg.

, sept. 1884,

1 5 octobre Inquisition 's du travail” ue cette S.

8, put proes sociétés près Votre non seule-

ment dans le Canada, mais encore dans les Etats- Unis de l'Amérique du Nord. Or, les Emes Cardinaux Inquisiteurs, dans la Congrégation du 27 août dernier, après un mür et sérieux examen, ont émis un décret dont voici la teneur; ‘“ Spc:tatis “ principiis ,organismo, ac statustis Nocietatis Æquitum "laborum prout exponuntur, Societaiem ipsam “ recensendam esse inter prohibitas a S. Sede, jux«a «instructionem hujus Supreme Congnis diei 10 « maii 1884 etad mentem. Mens est ut commendetur * Episcopis ut tam quoad delatas, quam'quoad similes “Societates procedant, atque remedia adhibeant "secundum mandata, et consilia quie in eadem * Instructione continentur.

Je prie le Seigneur de vous conserver longtemps. De V. $8.

Le très affectueux confrère, (Nigné,) JEAN CARD. SIMEONI, Préfet.

(Soussigné,) D. ARCH. DE TYR,

Secrétaire.

Mgr. Alexandre Taschereau,

Archevéque de Québec,

Agréez, chers Coopérateurs, l'assurance de mon entier dévouement.

An Instruction issued to all the Bishops of the Catholic . World by the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition.

“To avert the very serious evils inflicted on the Church and all gradesin the civil order by the Masonic sect and the societies which have sprung from it, our Most Holy Lord Pope Leo XIII, in his wisdom, recently addressed to all the Bishops of the Catholic world the Encyclical letter Humanuy genus. In that letter he lays bare the teachings of such societies, their aims and their designs; he recals the pains the Roman Pontiffs have taken to deliver mankind from so woeful a pest: he himself brands these sects with his condemnation and censure, and also sets forth with what Weapons they should be withstood, and what are the remedies with which to cure the wounds they have inflicted. As his Holiness deemed that abundant fruits were to be hoped for from his efforts, and that in a matter of such importance the labour of all the pastors of the Church should be used in one united effort, he commissioned this supreme congregation of the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition to set before the bishops the most efficacious and most seasonable measures, In accordance with these commands of the Supreme Pontiff, as is befitting, the Eminent Fathers who, including myself, fulfil the office of Inquisitors General, have seen fit to issue the following instructions to all the Bishops and other Orcinaries of dioceses ;—

“1, The most merciful Pontiff, above all desirous of providing for the salvation of souls, after the example of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who came to call not the just but sinners to repentance, appeals most lovingly to all who have enrolled themselves in the Masonic and other condemned societies to cleanse the stains from their souls, and to return

he Catholic.

loly Roman

sted on the der by the ve sprung III, in his hops of the Humanum eachings of esigns; he e taken to he himself hand cenipons they > remedies e inflicted, ruits were in a matter pastors of effort, he on of the set before seasonable imands of ' Eminent e office of issue the and other

ll desirous after the Lo came to 2, appeals 1emselves 'ecleties to to return

to the bosom of the Divine Mercy. To this end he has displayed the same indulgence heretofore exercised by his predecessor, Leo XII. For a whole twelve month, from the day ofthe due publication ofthe above Encyclical Letter, he has suspended in each dioceses the obligation of denouncing the followers and the hidden leeders of these sects ; and also the reservation of censures, granting to all confessors approved by their Ordinary the faculty of absolving from these censures, and of reconciling to the Church all who have truly rejected and abandoned the sects. It will, therefore, be the task of the sacred pastors to make known to their flocks this act of benignity on the part of the Supreme Pontiff They would also be acting in worthy accordance with their pastoral zeal if, in the course of the present year—which the Pontiff wishes to devote specially to merey—they induced their flocks by means of missions to meditate on the Eternal Truths and to renew a right spirit within them.

“9, [tis the intention of His Holiness that the greatest possi’) activity should be shown in the publication of the Encyclical. in order that all the faithful may be made aware of how deadly a poison is circulating in their midst, and of the fate that is in store for them and their offspring if the needful remedies are not timely taken. The most scrupulous and energetic care must therefore be taken to see that the remedies suggested by the Pontiff, and those suggested by the individual prudence of each one, are carried into effect. And first, above all, the working power and zealof the parish priests must be roused; and next, a general appeal must be made to those whom God, the giver of all good things, has granted the power of speech and of writing, and to those also entrusted with the task of preaching the Word of God, or of absolving

Chistians from their sins, or with the education of youth, in order that these also may devote their efforts to uninasking the impious decrees and unspeakable devices of the Masons and other kindred societies, to leading back into the way of salvation those who—either from rashness or heedlessness, or deliberately and determinedly—have joined themselves to them, and to give timely warning to those who have hitherto escape their snares,

“3. In order that there may be no error when it becomes necessary to decide which of these pernicious sects fall under the ecclesiastical censures and which are simply interdicted, it is absolutely certain that Freemasonry and the other societies named in cap 2, No IV, of the Pontifical Constistution, Apostolice Sedis, are branded with excommunication late sententie, and those also which threaten the Church or the lawful authorities, whether they act openly or secretly, whether they exact or not from their disciples an oath of secresy.

“ Besides these, there are other forbidden societies which must be shunned under pain of mortal sin ; among these must chiefly be reckoned those which exact from their members an oath of inviolable secresy and of unlimited obedience to unknown leaders, It must also be borne in mind.that there are certain societies which, although it is impossible to define with certainty as of the class we have mentioned, are yet, nevertheless, suspicious and fraught with danger as much on account of the doctrines they profess as by their action, and the leaders around whom they ‘eather, and by whom they are ruled. The ministers of religion, who should have the faith of Christ in its integrity and the purity of morals most at heart, must know how to turn aside and remove their flock from them ; and this all the more that the appearance of straightforwardness affected by them may make it difficult

lucation of vote their es and uner kindred { salvation lessness, or ned themg to those

)or when it se pernicihsures and ely certain ies named ististution, nunication reaten the ther they act or not

n societies nortal sin ; se which inviolable unknown that there impossible we have cious and nt of the , and the by whom "on, who grity and now how om them; f straightt diffieult

for the simple and young to perceive the danger that lurks in them.

“The Bishops will be doing a work of the greatest utility to their flock and most pleasing to his Holine s if, to the ordinary and habitual method of pu lic ^^i ortation— which is wholly to be retained—they w ii add that which is used in the defence of Catholic truths; it is admirably adopted to dispelling the errors whose wide and soul-tainting spread is deplored in the Encyclical Humanum Genus. Now this method will be most beneficial to the Christian people when, by refuting these errors, it clearly and methodically shows forth the paramount power and utillity of Christian doctrine, and to excite in the souls of the listeners a love for the Catholic Church which preserves this doctrine in its integrity and purity.

“6. As it is the young, the poor artisans and workingmen, who are generally more easily enticed and caught by the highly crafty devices and strategeins of the sects, especial care must also be devoted to these. As regards youth, the chief endeavor should be to train it from its earliest years—in the bosom of home, in the churches, and the schools— in Christian faith and practice; when ripening into manhood it should be taught to beware of the wiles of the sects of darkness, and of being compelled—if it should fall into their snares—to serve thenceforth such wicked masters to the great injury of its eternal savation and ofits manly dignity. It will be exceedinly advisable in the interests of young men to promote among them associations under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, or any other saint in heaven. In these associations, as they would in colleges, especially if priest or laymen gifted with experience and tact are at their head, young men will imbibe a liking for the practice of virtue, undismayed by the scoffs of irreligious men, and

will also habituate themselves to the dislike of whatsoever is removed from Catholic truth and holiness,

“It will also be of great utility if the fathers, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the mothers of families, unite themselves with the same object by a fraternal compact, so that their united forces may allow them more fittingly to devote themselves to this task, and to provide with a greater efficacy for the eternal welfare and right up-bringing of their offspring. Several associations of this kind— some of men, others of women—have been formed In various places under the patronage of some saint of heaven, and are producing good fruit in religion and piety.

“8, With regard to artisans and labouring men, among whom those who aim at overturning the very foundations of religion and society prefer to reeruit, the ministers of religion should submit to their attention those ancient trades’ guilds, or schools and associations of working men, enrolled under the protection of some heavenly patron, which were in past times the bright ornaments of cities, and have contributed to the progress of all arts, both greater and lesser. These confraternities should be restored, and others also among business, literary, and influential men: the associates should be carefully taught and trained in their religious duties and also give each other reciprocal help in times of necessity, brought about by sickness, old age, or poverty. The presidents of such associations must take great care that members shall be noted for their uprietness of life, their technical skill, their ameuableness and industry in working time, so that

they may the more easily procure the necessaries of life. The ministers of religion should willingly consent to watch over institutions of this sort, to propose or approve of their rules, to interest on

dislike of

uth and

ithers, on mothers ne object ad forces emselves ' efficacy nging of s Kind 1 formed me saint religion

ng men, hing the prefer to 1bmit to r schools d under ich were ties, and ris, both s should literary, be cares duties In times | age, or hs must oted for ill, their , So that saries of villingly sort, to ‘rest on

their behalf the benevolence of the rich, to take them under their protection, and heip them with their own efforts.

“9, Their special goodwill should be bestowed on that admirable ‘Society of Prayers and Works,’ which has spsung up in some places, and has begun to flourish in several other localities. The most extreme efforts should be made to enrol in it all those who are inspired with proper religious sentiments. As its object is to favour and develop works of religion and piety by a general effort of souls throughout the length and breadth of the Universal "Chuch, to apply itself strenuously to appeasing the Divine anger, its great utility in these unhappy times will easily be understood. Among formulary prayers, tho Bishops will, above all recommend the Rosary of the mother of God, which our Holy Father a little while since recommended and proposed so warmly and in such laudatory terms as being the most important, Among pious works, let them give the preference to third Order of St. Fra incis ; let them get as many as possible enrolled in it, and in those of St. Vincent de Paul or the Children of Mary; so that the stricking results they achieve, which gain such praise from the Catholic world and prove so beneficial to souls, may daily spread more and more,

* 10. And, lastly, it would be an excellent step, whenever places and popular feeling permitted, to start Catholic Academies, to hold those useful meetings or ‘congresses, as they are called, to which are del egated the most esteemed men of each district ; pastors should gladly honour them with their presence, so that under their auspices might be developed the Catholie movement and the measures most useful to the interests of religion and those of the general ue m would not be amiss

special studies are in a position to defend the rights of God and of the Church, and to cut at the root of the fresh errors and calumnies that every day gives birth to, that those, we say, should associate themselves also, and continue the strife, under the leadership of the Bishops. If all the forces which under God’s favour, are still alive and working in the Church, work to the same end, abundant fruits cannot fail to be gathered in the work of rescuing the human society of the present day from the fatal contagion of these iniquitous sects, and restoring to it Christian freedom.

“11. The objects thus far set forth will not be fully realised only without the union of forces, unless the Archbishops, with their suffragans, take the resolutions and the measures which are necessary in order to comply with wishes of the Supreme Pastor. Itis his desire, and that of this Sacred Congregation, that each of them shall tortwith, and in every future report he may make on the state of his diocese, be careful to indicate what steps he has taken either individualiy or in concert with his episcopal colleagues, and what results his zeal have effected. Given at Rome, from the Chancellory of the Holy Office."

* RAPHAEL CARDINAL Monaco.”

id the rights the root of ry day gives ociate themder the leaorees which working in indant fruits of rescuing om the fatal restoring to

will not be n of forces, ‘agans, take 1 are neceshe Supreme this Sacred rtwith, and the state of steps he has t with his is zeal have ancellory of

, Monaco.”

Zieme SERIE—No.

CIRCULAIRE AU CLERGÉ

à ff mme on

WEv&cHÉ D'OTTAWA, le 21 Janvier 1885.

l.—Questions à traiter dans les conférences ecclésiastiques.