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Title: |
Quanto Conficiamur Moerore
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Descr.: |
On Promotion Of False Doctrines
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Pope: |
Pope Pius IX
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Date: |
August 10, 1863
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Our
Beloved Sons, S. R. E. Cardinals and to Our Venerable Brothers,
the Archbishops and Bishops of Italy.
Our
Beloved Sons and Venerable Brothers, Greetings and Apostolic
Benediction.
1.
How much cause we have to grieve over the most cruel and
sacrilegious war brought upon the Catholic Church in almost all
regions of the world during these turbulent times, and especially
declared upon unhappy Italy before our very eyes many years ago by
the Piedmontese Government and stirred up more violently day by
day, each of you, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, easily
understands. In the midst of our great distress, however, as long
as you keep watch with us, we are deeply comforted and consoled.
Although you are, indeed, most deplorably harassed by every grave
injustice possible, torn away from your own flock, exiled and even
cast into prison, nevertheless, with your profound virtue you have
never neglected to speak and to write in ardent defense of the
teachings of God, his Church, and this Apostolic See.
2.
Consequently, we give thanks because you fervently rejoice to
suffer insult in the name of Jesus. We extend to you merited
praise in the words of our most saintly predecessor, Leo:
"May you endure with all your heart the trials of your love,
which you have undergone in reverence for the Catholic faith; may
I accept the sufferings inflicted upon you as if I were bearing
them myself. I know, however, that it is a cause of joy rather
than of sorrow that with the strength of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
you have persevered invincible in your evangelical and apostolic
teaching...And when the enemies of the Christian faith were
tearing you away from your respective churches, rather than being
contaminated by their impiety, you preferred to endure the
injustice of undergoing exile."(1)
3.
Would that we could announce the end of such terrible calamities
besetting the Church! Never will there be grief enough over the
corruption of morals so extensively increasing and promoted by
irreligious and obscene writings, theatrical spectacles and
meretricious houses established almost everywhere; by other
depraved arts and monstrous portents of every error disseminated
in all directions; by the abominable impurities of all vices and
crimes growing constantly and the deadly virus of unbelief and
indifferentism spread far and wide; by contempt for ecclesiastical
authority, sacred things, and laws and by the outrageous
plundering of Church possessions; by the bitter and constant abuse
of consecrated Church officials, of the students of religious
communities, of virgins dedicated to God; by the diabolical hatred
of Christ, his Church, teaching, and of this Apostolic See. These
and almost innumerable other evils perpetrated by the embittered
enemies of the Catholic Church and faith, we are daily compelled
to lament.
4.
All these agonies seem to prolong and delay that most yearned for
time when we shall see the full triumph of our most holy religion,
of justice, and of truth. This triumph cannot fail us, however,
even if it is not given us to know the time destined for it by
almighty God. Even though our heavenly Father permits his holy
Church to be afflicted and plagued by various tribulations and
distresses while serving during this most miserable and earthly
pilgrimage, nevertheless, because it has been founded by Christ,
the Lord, upon an immovable and most firm rock, it cannot be
shaken or overthrown by any force or violence. Rather, "it is
strengthened, not weakened by persecutions. The Lord's vineyard is
always clothed with a richer harvest, for while each grain dies
singly, it is born again many-fold."(2)
5.
That is what we see happening, beloved sons and venerable
brothers, even in these most sorrowful times as a special blessing
from God. For although the immaculate Spouse of Christ may be
vehemently troubled at the present time by the work of the wicked,
yet she is triumphing over her enemies. Yes, indeed, she is
conquering her enemies and shines wonderfully bright with your
unparalleled faithfulness, love, and respect towards us and this
Chair of Peter, and with your outstanding constancy and that of
the other venerable brothers, the bishops of the whole Catholic
world. She shines with many pious works of Christian charity
multiplying rapidly each day; with the light of blessed faith
illuminating many regions evermore each day; with the exceptional
love and devotion shown by Catholics towards the Church itself,
towards us, and this Holy See; with the eminent and immortal glory
of martyrdom. You know, in fact, how in Tonkin and especially in
the regions of Cochin China, bishops, priests, laymen and even
peaceful women themselves, and young boys and girls, emulating the
martyrs with their unconquerable spirit and heroic virtue,
disdained the most inhuman torture, and greatly rejoiced to pour
out their lives for Christ. All these joys should be no slight
consolation to us and to you in the midst of the overwhelming
anguish that torments us.
6.
Now, since our Apostolic Office demands we carefully and zealously
defend the cause of the Church committed to us by Christ, we
condemn those who attack and despise the Church itself, its sacred
laws, ministers, and this Apostolic See. Hence, with this letter,
once more we confirm, proclaim and condemn totally and singly that
which in many consistorial allocutions and in our other Letters we
have been forced to deplore, declare and condemn.(3)
7.
Here, too, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, it is again
necessary to mention and censure a very grave error entrapping
some Catholics who believe that it is possible to arrive at
eternal salvation although living in error and alienated from the
true faith and Catholic unity. Such belief is certainly opposed to
Catholic teaching. There are, of course, those who are struggling
with invincible ignorance about our most holy religion. Sincerely
observing the natural law and its precepts inscribed by God on all
hearts and ready to obey God, they live honest lives and are able
to attain eternal life by the efficacious virtue of divine light
and grace. Because God knows, searches and clearly understands the
minds, hearts, thoughts, and nature of all, his supreme kindness
and clemency do not permit anyone at all who is not guilty of
deliberate sin to suffer eternal punishments.
8.
Also well known is the Catholic teaching that no one can be saved
outside the Catholic Church. Eternal salvation cannot be obtained
by those who oppose the authority and statements of the same
Church and are stubbornly separated from the unity of the Church
and also from the successor of Peter, the Roman Pontiff, to whom
"the custody of the vineyard has been committed by the
Savior."(4) The words of Christ are clear enough: "If he
refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you a Gentile
and a tax collector;"(5) "He who hears you hears me, and
he who rejects you, rejects me, and he who rejects me, rejects him
who sent me;"(6) "He who does not believe will be
condemned;"(7) "He who does not believe is already
condemned;"(8) "He who is not with me is against me, and
he who does not gather with me scatters."(9) The Apostle Paul
says that such persons are "perverted and
self-condemned;"(10) the Prince of the Apostles calls them
"false teachers ...who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies, even denying the Master...bringing upon themselves swift
destruction."(11)
9.
God forbid that the children of the Catholic Church should even in
any way be unfriendly to those who are not at all united to us by
the same bonds of faith and love. On the contrary, let them be
eager always to attend to their needs with all the kind services
of Christian charity, whether they are poor or sick or suffering
any other kind of visitation. First of all, let them rescue them
from the darkness of the errors into which they have unhappily
fallen and strive to guide them back to Catholic truth and to
their most loving Mother who is ever holding out her maternal arms
to receive them lovingly back into her fold. Thus, firmly founded
in faith, hope, and charity and fruitful in every good work, they
will gain eternal salvation.
10.
Furthermore, beloved sons and venerable brothers, we cannot be
silent about another most pernicious error, an evil that is
pitifully tearing apart and deeply disturbing minds, hearts, and
souls. We are referring to that unbridled and damnable self-love
and self-interest that drive many to seek their own advantage and
profit with clearly no regard for their neighbor. We mean that
thoroughly insatiable passion for power and possessions that
overrides all the rules of justice and honesty and never ceases by
every means possible to amass and greedily heap up wealth.
Completely absorbed in the things of earth, forgetful of God,
religion and their souls, they wrongly place all their happiness
in procuring riches and money. Let such people recollect and
meditate seriously upon the very sobering words of Christ, the
Lord: "What will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world
and forfeits his life?"(12) Let them also reflect upon the
teaching of Paul: "Those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires
that drag men down to ruin and destruction. For the love of money
is the root of all evil; it is through this craving that some have
wandered away and pierced their hearts with many pangs."(13)
11.
Now, truly, we cannot conceal the fact that we are in great
anguish since there are some clergy in Italy who, forgetful of
their vocation, do not blush in the least to spread abroad false
doctrine, even in subversive writings. They arouse the people
against us and this Apostolic See; they oppose our civil rule and
that of the Chair itself; they shamelessly and zealously support
the wicked enemies of the Catholic Church and this same See.
Deserting their bishops and us, emboldened by the approval of the
Piedmontese government and its Parliament, these ecclesiastics in
open contempt of ecclesiastical censure and penalty have become
impudently fearless in organizing certain condemnable societies
commonly known as Liberal Clerical, of Mutual Assistance, For the
Emancipation of the Italian Clergy, and other associations
animated by the same depraved spirit. Although deservedly
forbidden to perform their holy ministry, nevertheless, like
brazen intruders, they sinfully and illicitly exercise it in many
churches. We, therefore, disapprove and condemn the behavior of
the same ecclesiastics. At the same time, we admonish and exhort,
again and again, these unfortunate men to return to their right
mind and heart and take thought for their own salvation, seriously
considering "that God tolerates no example of conduct more
from others than from priests when He sees those, whom He ordains
for the improvement of others, give example of their own
depravity."(14) Let them fervently reflect that their
confused state must be repaired before the tribunal of Christ. May
these pitiful churchmen heed our paternal advice and willingly
render us the consolation of a repentant clergy. May they seek
refuge in us day by day, begging pardon for their defection with
suppliant prayer and humbly imploring absolution from
ecclesiastical censure.
12.
You are certainly aware, our beloved sons and venerable brothers,
that every kind of impious and deceitful writing, lies, calumny,
and blasphemy has been let loose from hell. No pain has been
spared to transfer schools to non-Catholic teachers and to
appropriate churches for non-Catholic worship. With a multiple of
other, surely diabolical treacheries, arts, and undertakings, the
enemies of God employ every effort to destroy completely - if that
were possible - the Catholic Church, seduce and corrupt the
people, especially guileless youth, and uproot our holy faith and
religion from the souls of all.
13.
We are fully confident that you, our beloved sons and venerable
brothers, strengthened by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
will continue steadfast in your outstanding episcopal zeal. With
one mind and heart and with redoubled dedication, may you persist
in defending the House of Israel, may you fight the good fight for
the faith and defend from the snares of the enemy the faithful
entrusted to your care. Admonish and exhort them to be strong in
our sacred faith, without which it is impossible to please God.
Urge them to persevere firmly established in our divine religion,
which alone is true and eternal and prepares for salvation and
even, to a very great extent, preserves and prospers civil
society.
14.
Through the parish priests chiefly and other ecclesiastics known
for integrity of life, gravity of morals, and constant adherence
to sound doctrine, may you teach unremittingly and accurately: at
one time preaching the divine word, at another instructing the
people in the mysteries of our august religion, its doctrine,
precepts, and discipline. You, above all, know that many evils
generally arise from ignorance of divine matters essential for
salvation. Hence, you will understand that it behooves you to use
every care and diligence that so detrimental a condition be
prevented.
15.
Before we bring our letter to its close, however, we cannot
restrain from bestowing due praise upon the Italian clergy, who
with the highest degree of devotion to us and this Chair of Peter
and to their bishops, have certainly not strayed. Following the
noble example of their bishops and bearing all hardships with
utmost patience, they fulfill their duty most laudably. We put our
trust in the hope, moreover, that this same clergy, with the help
of divine grace and walking worthily in their vocation, will
always strive to be shining examples of piety and virtue.
16.
We continue, too, with fitting and public praise for the many
consecrated virgins who violently driven from their monastaries,
despoiled of their recompense, and reduced to beggary, have not
broken faith with their Spouse. Enduring the most deplorable
conditions, they pray day and night in the holy house of God where
they patiently await His mercy and beseech Him for the salvation
of all, even that of their enemies.
17.
We rejoice, also, in praising the people of Italy who, with deep
Catholic sensibilities, abhor the many impious and destructive
efforts taken against the Church. With filial piety, respect and
obedience, they take great pride in honoring us, this Holy See,
and their bishops. Amid very serious difficulties and impeded by
dangers, each day and in many ways they faithfully offer us tokens
of their love and devotion, alleviating the wants of this
Apostolic See, at times with money, at other times with other
gifts.
18.
In the midst of so many calamities and confronted with such fury
against the Church, we are not despondent for "Christ is our
counsel and our strength; without him we can do nothing, through
him we can do all things." While confirming the preachers of the
Gospel and the ministers of the sacraments, he said: "Lo, I am
with you always, to the end of time."(15) We know for
certain, moreover, that the gates of hell will never prevail
against the Church which stands and will stand immovable with
Christ Jesus, our Lord, as guardian and protector, who has built
the Church and who is the same "yesterday and today and
forever."(16)
19.
With ever more ardent zeal and humility of heart, let us, our
beloved sons and venerable brothers, never stop offering our
prayers and petitions to God through Jesus Christ that His Church,
driven by this most turbulent tempest, may recover from such great
disasters, enjoy the most blessed peace and freedom throughout the
world, and gain new and more splendid triumphs over her enemies.
Let us pray that the errant be flooded with the light of his
divine grace, may turn back from the path of error into the way of
truth and justice and, experiencing the worthy fruit of
repentance, may possess perpetual love and fear of his holy name.
20.
That the merciful God may more readily grant our most fervent
prayers, let us invoke patronage of the immaculate and most holy
Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Let us seek likewise the intercession
of the most holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of all the blessed
in heaven, that with their efficacious prayers before God, they
may implore mercy and graces for all and powerfully avert all
adversities and dangers afflicting the Church everywhere and
especially in Italy.
21.
Finally, as a most certain pledge of our singular benevolence
toward you, we lovingly impart our heartfelt Apostolic Blessing
upon you, beloved sons and venerable brothers, and upon the flock
committed to your care.
Given
at Rome, at St. Peter's, 10 August, 1863, in the eighteenth year
of Our Pontificate.
Endnotes:
1.
St. Leo, epistle 154 to the bishops of Egypt, ed. Baller | 2. St.
Leo, sermon 82 on the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul | 3.
Addresses on 20 June 1859; 26 September 1859; 13 July 1860; 28
September 1860; 17 December 1860; 18 March 1861; 30 September
1861; and 9 June 1862. Encyclical letters on 18 June 1859 and 19
January 1860. Apostolic letter on 26 March 1860 | 4. Ecumenical
Council of Chalcedon in its letter to Pope Leo | 5. Mt. 15:17 | 6.
Lk. 10:16 | 7. Mk. 16:16 | 8. Jn. 3:18 | 9. Lk. 11:23 | 10. Ti.
3:11 | 11. 2 Pt. 2:1 | 12. Mt. 16:26 | 13. 1 Tm. 6:9-10 | 14. St.
Gregory the Great, homily 17 in Evangel. | 15. St. Leo, epistle
167 to Rusticus, bishop of Narbonne | 16. Heb. 13:8
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