It was reported and believed that the Pope intended to
issue an Encyclical, provoked by recent events in France, and recalling French priests and the editors of Catholic papers to moderation and Christian charity. It was even hoped that his Holiness might declare that the persecution of Jews for objects unconnected with the faith was contrary to the Christian spirit and the precepts of the Church, and that journalists who in the name of Catholicism preached the contrary were guilty of usurpation upon the functions of the Holy Chair. The Encyclical has been issued, and unless the summary of it which appeared in the Times of Monday is a total misrepresentation, it contains none of the expected advice. It is addressed to French priests, but, after a discourse upon the best method of Christian education, directs them only to temper zeal with discretion, to hold in honour the salutary principles of religion, justice, charity, reverence, and duty, and to inculcate those principles into "the minds of those bound captive by in- credulity, or agitated by disastrous passions." "Bound captive by incredulity" is really an admirable as well as a charitable description of agnostics, but that kind of vaguely pious teaching will influence only the good. What was looked for was a strong and plain censure of all journalists who, under pretext of Catholic zeal, incite their readers to a new St. Bartholomew, and breathe fire and slaughter against an entire race whom they do not even wish to convert. Nothing of the kind is forthcoming, and we cannot wonder that the effect of such silence upon pions Catholics is one of dis- illusion.
Previous page
