THE POPE AND THE PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 160, 1 April 1919, Page 5

THE POPE AND THE PEACE CONGRESS

AN ENCYCLICAL LETTER. Bv direction of His Grac« Archbishop Redwood, tlm following encyclical letter from His Holiness the Pope was on Sunday last rend in all the Catholic Churches, and a time appointed for public prayers as decreed by (he Pope:— "That for which the whole world has long sighed, which Christianity has implored with such fervent prayer, and for which we. too, interpreter of till* common sorrow, have never ceased to prav with the heart 01 the father intent on the good of all—that has come in a moment; at last the clash of arms has ceased. True, peace has not yet in solemn fashion brought to an end the great war, but to peace the road has bpen onened hapnilv with the armistice, which has, meanwhile,\ suspended slaughter and devastation by'land, sea, and air. Many and various reasons could- be given to explain the suddenness of this event; but if the supreme reason be sought there is 110 other way but to look above to Him who rules all event?. Moved to compassion by the unceasing prayers> of His servants, Ho now lets hnmanitv breathe airain after so many trials and sorrows. While, then, all th'anks are being given to the Lord for this wondrous boon, we are glad that many imposing demonstrations of piety have taken place in the Catholic world to that end. It remains now to implore the Divine mercv that tho crown be put on the great gift accorded us. Soon tlie delegates of tho various nations will meet in solemn congress to give tho world a. just and lasting peace; 110 human assembly lias ever had before it such serious .atid complex determinations as they will have to take.

"Words, then, are not rer|tiirpd to show how front need iliey have of being illumined from on high "that they innv carry out their great task well. And, as their decisions will be of supremo interest to all humanity, there is no doubt that Catholics, from whom t.bn Rupport of order and civil progress is a duty of conscience, must invoke Divine assistance for nil who take part in tho Peace Conference. We. desire that that duty he brought before nil Catholics. Therefore, venerable brothers, in order that there may come from the Congress shortly to be hold that ijruat Rift of lmaven, true pence founded on tlift Christian principles of iustice. tint enlightenment from the Bern-only Father may descend on thorn, it shall be your enre to order public prnvors in each parish of your dioceses in'the way you may think most convenient. As fo"'ns, ronresenting. however nnwoiihilv. .Tesus Christ. Kino; of Peace, we shnll e\o"l all tli° nf our nnnstolie minictrv flint the decisions which nre to bo 1 taken to ensure f o] . Pm . (i lf> wnr fl.o trniqnillih- of orde l ' nn,l "incnrd bo willingly nor-ontnd nnd foiihfu'ly carried out. by Catholics overvwhore. "As harbinger 0 f celestial favours and pledge nf our benevolence, to v-w. venerable bretliron. nnd lo you. olorgy and people, we import from our heart the Apostolic H"nodietion. "Oiven at Hinie nt Pt. Peter's on T)o----oomb"" 1. 1918, the fifth year of Our Pontificate. "BENEDIf'TIIS, P.P., Xf."