SOCIALISM, COMMUNISM, NIHILISM
(Quod Apostolici Muneris)
December 28, 1878
THE TRIPLE CROWN
OR TIARA
THE POPE'S OFFICIAL HEADDRESS
To Our Venerable Brethren, all Patriarchs, Primates,
Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic World
In Grace and Communion with the Apostolic See
Venerable Brethren
Health and Apsotolic Benediction
As the nature of Our Apostolic Office required
of Us, We have not omitted, from the very outset of Our Pontificate, addressing
you, Venerable Brothers, in Encyclical Letters, in order to advert to
the deadly plague which is tainting society to its very core and bringing
it to a state of exteme peril. At the same time We call attention
to certain most effectual remedies, by which society may be renewed unto
salvation and enabled to escape the crisis now threatening.
But the evils which We then deplored have taken
in a brief space of time such widespread growth that We are compelled to
address you anew, with the words of prophet resounding as it were in Our
ears: Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet. (Isai.
lviii. 1.)
You understand as a matter of course, Venerable
Brothers, that We are alluding to that sect of men who, under the motley
and all but barbarous terms and titles of Socialists, Communists, and Nihilists,
are spread abroad throughout the world and, bound intimately together
in baneful alliance, no longer look for strong support in scret meetings
held in darksome places, but standing forth openly and boldly in the light
of day, strive to carry out the purpose long resolved upon, of uprooting
the foundations of civilized society at large.
These are they in very truth who, as the Sacred
Text bears witness, defile the flesh, and despise dominion, and blaspheme
Majesty. (Jude 8.) They leave
nothing scathless or uninjured of that which human and Divine Laws alike
have wisely ordained to ensure the preservation and honor of life.
From
the heads of States to whom, as the Apostle admonishes, all owe submission,
and on whom the rights of Authority are bestowed by God Himself, these
sectaries withhold obedience and preach up the perfect equality of all
men in regard to rights alike and duties. The natural union of man
and woman, which is held Sacred even among barbarous nations, they hold
in scorn; and its bond whereby family life is chiefly maintained,
they
slacken, or else yield up to the sway of lust. In short, spurred
on by greedy hankering after things present, which is the root of
all evils, which some coveting have erred from the Faith, (1
Tim. vi. 10.) they attack the right of property, sanctioned
by the law of nature, and with signal depravity, while pretending to
feel solicitous about the needs, and anxious to satisfy the requirements
of all, they strain every effort to seize upon and hold in common all that
has been individually acquired by title of lawful inheritance, through
intellectual or manual labor, or economy in living. These monstrous
views they proclaim in public meetings, uphold in booklets, and spread
boradcast everywhere through the daily press. Hence the hallowed
Dignity and Authority of Rulers has incurred such odium on the part of
rebellious subjects that evil-minded traitors, spurning all control, have
many a time within a recent period boldly raised impious hands against
even the very Heads of States.
Such daring conduct on the part of disloyal individuals,
which threatens the civilized community from day to day with even graver
perils, and troubles the mind of all with anxious fears, draws
its cause and origin from those venomous teachings which, like pernicious
seed scattered far and wide among the nations, have produced in course
of time death-bearing fruit. In fact, Venerable Brothers, you know
full well that the atrocious war which, starting from the sixteenth
century, was declared against the Catholic Faith by the Reformers, and
which has been growing with full force from day to day in vehemence, aimed
at giving free course to the rejection of all Revelation, the subversion
of the Supernatural Order, and the enthronment of unaided reason, with
its vagaries or rather ravings. Deriving pretentiously its name
from Reason, this false doctrine, by flattering and stimulating the eagerness
to outstrip others which is interwoven with man's nature, and giving the
rein to every kind of unlawful desire, has taken willing possession of
the minds of great numbers, and has even pervaded the whole of civilized
society. Hence by a fresh act of impiety, unknown even to very
pagans, governments have been orgainzed without God and the order established
by Him being taken at all into account. It has even been contended
that public authority, with its dignity and its power of ruling, originates
not from God but from the mass of the people, which, considering itself
unfettered by all Divine Sanction, refuses to submit to any Laws that
it has not itself passed of its own free will. Next, after having
attacked and cast away the Supernatural Truths of Faith as being contrary
to reason, the very Author and Redeemer of mankind has been forced slowly
and gradually to withdraw from the scheme of studies at Universities, Colleges,
and High-schools, as well as from all the practical working of public life.
In
fine, after having consigned to oblivion the rewards and punishments of
a future and never-ending existence, the keen longing after happiness has
been narrowed down to the range of the present life. With such
doctrines spread far and wide, and such license in thought and action,
it is no wonder that men of the most lowly condition, heart-sick of a humble
home or poor workshop, should fix eager eyes on the abodes and fortunes
of the wealthy; no wonder that tranquillity no longer prevails in public
or private life, or that the human race has been hurried onward to well-nigh
the verge of ruin.
But the Supreme Pastors of the Church, on
whom devolves the charge of guarding the Lord's flock from the snares of
the enemy, have in good time devoted their energies to avert the danger
impending, and to provide for the safety of the faithful. In fact,
as soon as secret societies began to take extension, in the midst whereof
the germs of those evil principles already adverted to were nursed, the
Roman Pontiffs Clement XV, and Benedict XIV, failed not to unamsk the impious
designs of the sectaries, and to warn the Faithful throughout the world
concerning
the mischiefs they were thus hatching in secret. But when by those
who gloried in the title of "philosophers" a certain unbridled liberty
was assigned to man, and the "new law," as they term it, began in opposition
to the Divine and natural Law to be set forth and gather sanction, Pius
VI of happy memory forthwith laid bare by public documents the pernicious
character and falsity of those principles, and at the same time, with Apostolic
foresight, predicted the utter ruin to which the deluded multitudes were
being hurried. But since, notwithstanding the measures resorted to,
none proved of avail to prevent their wicked doctrines from day by day
gaining ground with the people, and obtaining ascendency even in public
decisions of Government, Popes Pius VII and Leo XII excommunicated secret
societies, and once more gave warning to society of the perils that threatened
it. In fine, the world at large is fully aware in what earnest
terms, and with what resoluteness of soul and unflinching constancey, Our
glorious predecessor, Pius IX of happy memory, by Encyclical Letters and
Allocutions alike addressed to the Bishops of the whole World, levied war
against the iniquitous endeavors of these sects, and furthermore even denounced
by name the plague of Socialism thence bursting forth.
It is to be deplored, however, that they to whom
has been entrusted the care of the common welfare, allowing themselves
to be circumvented by the fraudulent devices of infamous men and terror-stricken
at their threats, have ever displayed towards the Church feelings of suspicion
or even of hostility, not understanding that the endeavors of these
sects would have been of no effect had the Doctrine of the Catholic Church
and the Authority of the Roman Pontiffs, among Rulers and peoples alike,
always remained in due Honor. For the Church of the Living
God, which is the Pillar and Ground of Truth, (1
Tim. iii. 15.) proclaims those Doctrines and Precepts whereby
the security and calm of society is provided for, and the accursed brood
of Socialism is utterly destroyed.
For although the Socialists, turning to evil
use
the Gospel itself so as to deceive more readily the unwary, have been wont
to twist it to their meaning, still so striking is the disagreement
between their criminal teachings and the pure Doctrine of Christ, that
no greater can exist: For what participation hath justice with injustice,
or what fellowship hath light with darkness? (2 Cor.
vi. 14.) They in good sooth cease not from asserting--as
we have already mentioned--that all men are by nature equal, and hence
they contend that neither honor nor respect is owed to public authority,
nor
any obedience to the laws, saving perhaps to those which have been sanctioned
according to their good pleasure. Contrariwise, from the Gospel records,
equality among men consists in this, that one and all, possessing the same
nature, are called to the sublime dignity of being sons of God; and, moreover,
that one and the same end being set before all, each and every one has
to be judged according to the same laws and to have punishments or rewards
meted out according to individual deserts. There is, however, an
inequality of right and Authority which emanates from the Author of nature
Himself, of whom all Paternity in Heaven and earth is named. (Eph.
iii. 15.) As regards Rulers and subjects, all without exception,
according to Catholic Teaching and Precept, are mutually bound by duties
and rights, in such manner that, on the one hand, moderation is enjoined
on the appetite for power, and, on the other, obedience is shown to be
easy, stable, and wholly honorable. Therefore does the Church constantly
urge upon each and all who are subject to her the Apostolic Precept: There
is no Power but from God; and those that are, are ordained of God.
Therefore, he that resisteth the Powers resisteth the Ordinance of God.
And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. And again:
Be
subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake;
and render to all men their dues. Tribute to whom tribute
is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
(Rom.
xiii. 1-7.) For He who has created and Governs all things,
has in His Provident Wisdom so disposed them that the lowest attain to
their end by the middlemost, and the middlemost by the highest. Just
then as the Almighty willed that, in the Heavenly Kingdom itself, the Choirs
ofAngels should be of differing ranks, subordinated the one to the other;
again just as in the Church God has established different grades of orders
with diversity of functions, so that all should not be Apostles,
all not Doctors, all not Prophets; so also has He established in
civil society many Orders of varying Dignity, Right, and Power. And
this, to the end that the State, like the Church, should form one body
comprising many members, some excelling others in rank and importance,
but
all alike necessary to one another and solicitous for the common welfare.
But to the end that the Rulers of the people shall
employ the Power bestowed for the advancement, and not detriment, of
those under Rule, the Church of Christ very fittingly warns the Rulers
themselves that the Sovereign Judge will call them to a strict and speedy
account, and evoking the words of Divine Wisdom, she addresses them, one
and all in God's name. Give ear, you that Rule the people, and
that please yourselves in multitudes of Nations; for Power is given you
by the Lord, and strength by the Most High, who will examine your works,
and search out your thoughts; . . . for a most severe Judgment shall be
for them that bear Rule. . . . For God will not accept any man's person,
will He stand in awe of any one's greatness: for He hath made the little
and the great, and He hath equally care of all. But a greater Punishment
is ready for the more Mighty. (Wisd. vi. 3 seqq.)
Should it, however, happen, at any time, that in the public exercise of
Authority, Rulers act rashly and arbitrarily, the teaching of the Catholic
Church does not allow subjects to rise against them, without further warranty,
lest peace and order become more and more disturbed, and society run the
risk of greater detriment. And when things have come to such a pass
as to hold out no further hope, she teaches that a remedy is to be sought
in the Virtue of Christian patience and in urgent prayer to God.
But should it please legislators and Rulers to enjoin or sanction anything
repugnant to the Divine and natural Law, the dignity and duty of the name
of Christian and the Apostolic injunction proclaim that one ought to
obey God rather than men. (Acts v. 29.)
Moreover, the salutary influence of the Church,
which
redounds to the upholding of well-regulated order in civil society and
promotes its conservation, the family circle itself (which is the starting-point
of every city and every State) necessarily feels and experiences.
For you are fully aware, Venerable Brothers, that the governing Principle
of family life has, in accordance with the requirements of natural
Law, its basis in the indissoluble union of husband and wife, and its
superstructure in the duties and rights of parents and children, and of
masters and servants towards each other. You are further aware that
the theories of Socialism would quickly destroy this family life, since
the stability afforded by marriage under Religious sanction once lost,
Paternal Authority over children and the duties of children to Parents
are necessarily and most harmfully slackened. Contrariwise, marriage,
honorable to all, (Heb. xiii. 4.)
which
from the beginning of the world God Himself instituted for the propagation
and preservation of the human race, and decreed to be indissoluble, the
Church holds to have become more stable and Holy through Christ, Who conferred
on it the dignity of a Sacrament, and Willed to make it an Image of His
own union with the Church. Wherefore, as the Apostle admonishes:
As
Christ is the Head of the Church, so is the husband the head of the wife;
(Eph.
v. 23.) and just as the Church is subject to Christ, Who cherishes
it with most chaste and lasting Love, so is it becoming that women also
should be subject to their husbands, and by them in turn be loved with
faithful and constant affection.
In like manner the Church regulates the Authority
of the Father and the Master in such mode as to keep children and servants
within their duty, without, however, allowing Authority to be overstepped.
For, according to Catholic teaching, the Authority of the Heavenly Father
and Lord flows forth upon Parents and Masters, and on that account receives
not only its origin and Power from God, but also its very nature and character.
Hence does the Apostle exhort children to obey their Parents in the
Lord, and to Honor their Father and their Mother, which is the first Commandment
with a Promise. (Ibid. vvi. 1, 2.) And
you, Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, but bring them up in
the discipline and correction of the Lord. (Ibid.
vi. 4.) And again by the same Divine Apostolic Injunction
it is urged on servants and Masters that the former should obey their
Masters according to the flesh . . . as to Christ . . . with a good will
serving as to the Lord, . . . (Ibid. vi. 5-7.)
but the latter should forebear threatenings, knowning that the Lord
of all is in Heaven, and there is no respect of persons with Him. (Eph.
vi. 9.) Were all these things observed by every one whom
they concern, according to the intent of the Divine Will, each family would
truly present a likeness of the Heavenly home, and the wondrous benefits
thence resulting would not be limited simply to the family circle, but
would spread abroad abundantly over the State at large.
As regards the maintenance of public and private
tranquillity, Catholic Wisdom, sustained by both Divine and natural Law,
prudently provides through what it holds and teaches touching the right
of ownership and the apportioning of personal property which has been accumulated
for the wants and requirements of life. For the Socialists wrongly
assume the right of property to be of mere human invention, repugnant to
the natural equality between men, and, preaching up the community of goods,
declare that no one should endure poverty meekly, and that all may with
impunity seize upon the possessions and usurp the rights of the wealthy.
More
wisely and profitably the Church recognizes the existence of inequality
amongst men, who are by nature unlike in mental endowment and strength
of body, and even in amount of fortune; and she enjoins that the right
of property and of its disposal, derived from nature, should in the case
of every individual remain intact and inviolate. She knows full well
indeed that robbery and rapine have been so forbidden by God, the
Author and Protector of every right, that it is unlawful even to covet
the goods of others, and that thieves and robbers no less than adulterers
and idolaters are excluded from the kingdom of Heaven. Nor
does she, on this account, loving mother as she is, omit solicitude for
the poor or fail to provide for their needs; nay, taking them to her arms
with maternal affection, and knowing that they in a manner represent the
Person of Christ Himself, who accounts as done unto Him any benefit conferred
upon the lowliest among the poor, she holds them in great account, brings
them aid to the utmost of her Power, takes thought to have erected in every
land in their behalf homes and refuges where they can be received, nurtured,
and tended; and takes these Charitable Foundations under her protecting
care. Moreover, she lays the rich under strict command to give of
their superfluity to the poor, impressing them with fear of the Divine
Judgment which will exact the penalty of Eternal Punishment unless they
succor the wants of the needy. In fine, she cheers and comforts exceedingly
the hearts of the poor, either by setting before them the example of Christ,
Who, being rich became poor for our sakes, (2
Cor. viii. 9.) or by reminding them of the Words by which
Jesus pronounced the poor to be Blessed, and enjoined them
to hope for the reward of Eternal Bliss. Who then does not perceive
that herein lies the best means of appeasing the undying conflict between
the rich and poor? For, as the evidence of things and facts clearly
demonstrates, if such conclusion be disallowed or made light of, it must
come about either that the vast majority of mankind will fall back into
that most abject condition of bondage which through a long lapse of time
obtained amongst pagan nations, or else that human society will be agitated
by constant outbreaks and ravaged by plunder and rapine, such as even of
late years we have had occasion to deplore.
Since things have come to this pass, Venerable
Brothers, We, on whom is laid the charge of Governing the Universal
Church, pointed out even at the very outset of Our Pontificate to the
Nations and their Rulers, tossed about by so dire a tempest, the port
to which they could betake themselves in all safety. And now,
moved greatly by the extreme peril which actually threatens, We
lift up anew Our Apostolic Voice, and conjure them again and again, for
the sake of their own safety and that of the State, to welcome and obey
the teaching of that Church which has deserved so well in promoting
the public prosperity of Nations, and to recognize once for all that the
relations of the State and of Religion are so bound together as that whatever
is withdrawn from Religion impairs by so much the dutiful submission of
the subject and the dignity of Authority. And when they shall
have recognized that the Church of Christ is possessed of a Power to stave
off the pest of Socialism, too mighty to be found in human enactments or
in the strong hand of the civil Power or in military force, let them re-establish
that Church in the condition and liberty needed in order to be able to
exercise her most salutary influence for the good of society in general.
Do
you, however, Venerable Brothers, who have keen insight as to the
nature
and origin of thrills thickening ever in the world, apply yourselves
with all zeal and energy of spirit to inculcate Catholic Doctrine, that
it may reach and strike deep root in the souls of all. Provide
as far as may be that from early years all may grow accustomed to cherish
a filial love towards God, and to revere His Sovereign sway; to show due
submission to Rulers and the Laws; to bridle their passions and zealously
uphold the Authority which God has established alike in the State and in
the family circle. Moreover, it behooves you to strive earnestly
that the children of the Catholic Church venture not to lend their name,
nor in any way to give countenance to this hateful sect, but on the contrary,
that
by worthy deeds and honorable line of action in all particulars, they show
how well and happily human society would prosper were the individual members
distinguishable for the regularity of their conduct and for their virtuous
life. Finally, as the confederates of Socialism are sought mainly
among those who occupy themselves in business pursuits, or give themselves
to manual labor, and who, wearied out by sheer hard work, are more easily
entrapped by the hope of wealth and promise of prosperity, it seems expedient
to encourage Associations for handicraftsmen and laboring men, which, placed
under the sheltering care of Religion, may render the members content with
their lot and resigned to toil, inducing them to lead a peaceful and tranquil
life.
On Our undertakings, Venerable Brothers, and on
yours, may He confer favoring aid to Whom we are bound to refer the beginning
and the end of all good. We have ample ground to hope for speedy
help during these auspicious days when the Festival of Our Lord's Nativity
is being celebrated. That new deliverance which Christ, born into
a world sinking with years and well-nigh crushed with the weight of ills,
charges us to hope for; that peace which then He announced to men
through the ministry of Angels, He has promised to bestow likewise on
us. For the Hand of the Lord is not shortened, that He cannot
save, neither is His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. (Is.
lix. 1.) During these days, then, of most happy augury, Venerable
Brothers, wishing to you and to all the Faithful of your Churches all joy
and prosperity, We earnestly pray the Giver of all good Gifts that anew
to men may appear the goodness and kindness of God our Savior, (Tit.
iii. 4.) Who, after having snatched us from the power of a ruthless
enemy, has raised us up to the most exalted Dignity of being sons of God.
And
in order that our Vows may be the more speedily and abundantly satisfied,
join
with Us, Venerable Brothers, in addressing to God fervent Prayers, invoking
also the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ever Immaculate, and of
her Spouse, St. Joseph, as also of the Blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul,
in whose intercession We greatly confide. And in the meantime,
with inmost affection of heart to you, Venerable Brothers, to your Clergy
and to all the Faithful throughout the world, as a harbinger of the Divine
Gifts, We impart Our Apostolic Blessing.
POPE LEO XIII
DESCRIPTION OF MAGNIFICENT
PAPAL CORONATION
As Peter was given a new name so does the new Supreme
Pontiff become known by another. After the election he extends his
first blessing to the people -- a Benediction which was not given in the
open for years until Pope Pius XI established the custom.
The Coronation, one of the most magnficent of
Vatican Ceremonies, takes place shortly after the election. With
the Pope carried high in a golden chair and attended by brilliantly attired
chamberlains and soldiers, the Coronation Mass is an unrivaled spectacle
of beauty, dignity, and ancient pageantry. At the Coronation, in
the midst of the pomp and splendor, a master of ceremonies recites in Latin:
"Holy Father, thus does the glory of the world pass away." As the
first Cardinal Deacon places the three-crowned Tiara on the head of the
Pope, he says: "Receive the three-crowned Tiara, and know that thou art
the Father of Princes and Kings, the Pastor of the earth, and Vicar of
Jesus Christ, to whom be honor and glory forever. Amen."
The CORONATION of Pope Pius XII took place on
the balcony of St. Peter's in March, 1939. (From the book "The
Vatican and Holy Year" by Stephen S. Fenichell & Phillip Andrews.--
1950 edition.)
(Tradition is an equal part [along with the Bible] of the authoritative teaching of the Church -- From the book "The Immaculate Way" by Brian Farrely, S.M.M. -- 1963 edition.)
The True Answer To World Peace -- qwest site
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