^,
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
itt l&i |2.2
u HI
i!i 1^ 12-0
■it
lii i^ M4
-i
Hiotographic
Sciences
Corporation
^
^>
\
'4^
3>-
<>
••\
>!V
^^'v ^o^
23 WIST MAIN STRiiT
WiBSTIR,N.Y. USSO
(716) •72-4503
"^^^l^
^ ^
^
I
l\
CIHM/ICMH
Microfiche
Series.
CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.
Canadian Instituta for Historical Microraproductiont / Institut Canadian da microraproductiont historiquas
"■^^ -■<«»sw^.»V»'
Tschnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquas at bibliographiquaa
Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia
copy which may ba bibliographlcally uniqua,
which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha
raproduction. or which may significantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow.
HColourad covars/
Couvartura da coulaur
I I Covars damagad/
D
D
□
D
D
Couvartura andommagte
Covars rastorad and/or laminatad/
Couvartura rastaurAa at/ou palliculAa
I I Covar titia missing/
Le titre da couvartura manque
□ Coloured maps/
Cartes gAographiques en couleur
Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)
I I Coloured plates and/or illuatrationa/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur
Bound with other material/
ReliA avac d'autres documents
Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/
La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intArieure
Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever poaaibia, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais. lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6tA filmAes.
Additional comments:/
Commentaires 8uppl6mentaires;
L'Inatitut a microfilm* le meilleur eKemplaira
qu'il lui a At* possible de se procurer. Las ditails
de cat exemplaira qui aont paut-Atre uniques du
point de vue bibliographiqua, qui peuvent modifier
une image raproduita, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mAthode normale de filmaga
aont indiquAs ci-dessous.
r~1 Coloured pages/
D
This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/
Ce document est filmA au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous.
Pagea de couleur
Pagea damaged/
Pages endommagAes
Pages restored and/o:
Pages restaurAes at/ou palliculAes
Pages discoloured, stained or foxei
Pages dAcolorAes, tachetAes ou piquAes
Pagea detached/
Pages dAtachAes
Showthrough/
Transparence
Quality of prin
QualitA inAgale de I'impression
Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du matAriel supplAmentaire
Only edition available/
Seule Adition diaponible
r~n Pagea damaged/
r~| Pages restored and/or laminated/
r~l Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
I I Pagea detached/
r~l Showthrough/
I I Quality of print varies/
I I Includes supplementary material/
I — I Only edition available/
Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
sliptt, tissues, etc., have been ref limed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalament ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont AtA filmAes A nouveau de fapon A
obtanir la meilleure image possible.
10X
14X
18X
22X
26X
aox
v/
12X
16X
aox
a4x
28X
32X
The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanHs
to the generosity of;
Seminary of Quebec
Library
L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grAce k la
gAnArositA de:
Siminaire de QuAbec
Bibliothique
The images appearing here are the b«st quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract spaciflcationa.
Les images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avec le
plus grand soin. compte tenu de la condition at
de la nattat* de rexemplaire film*, et en
eonformiti avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.
Original coplaa in printed paper eovera are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres*
sion. 01 the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated imprea*
sion. and ending on the laat page with a printed
or illustrated impression.
Les exempleires origineux dont le couverture en
papier eat imprimte sont filmts en comment ant
par la premier plat et en terminent soit par la
derniAre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impresaion ou d'illustration. soit par le second
plat, aeion le caa. Tous les autres exempleires
originaux sont film4s en commen^ant par la
premiire page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impresaion ou d'illustration et en terminent par
ij derniAre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.
The last recorded freme on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON*
TINUED"). or the symbol V (meening "END"),
whichever appliea.
Un dea symboles suivants apperaitra sur la
derniAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole -^ signifie "A SUIVRE". le
symbol* V signifie "FIN".
Maps, platts. charts, etc.. may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in 2h« upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. Xh9 following diagrams illustrate the
method:
Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre
filmte i des taux de reduction diffiftrents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre
reproduit en un seul clichA. il est film* A partir
de I'angle supAriour gauche, de gauche h droite.
et d* haut en baa. en prenant le nombre
d'images nicessaire. Lea diagrammes suivant«
iliustrent la mAthodo.
1
2
3
32X
1
2
3
4
5
6
c^/pf^^a
,^--*-^'^
<fa<..
/
N^l
CIRCULAR
I'HOMIUJATIXCJ IX TIIK DIOCESE OK CHATHAM,
THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER
OF OUR.HOLY FATHER POPE LEO XIII,
AGAINST AFRICAN SLAVERY
A\I> ORl)ERIX(; A
COLLECTION IN THE CHURCHES
On the Feast of the Ei'ifhaxv Each Yeah.
■■41
^ nie dd rUniversiti,
<^6bec 4; QUE.
^^i
■Jl
'"ifDtl
CIRCULAR
PBOMULOATING IN THE DIOCESE OF CHATHAM,
The Enctclical Letter op Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII,
AGAINST African Slavery and orderino a Col-
lection IN THE Churches on the Feast of the
Epiphany each year.
Rev. and Dear Sir: —
A few days aj?o we received through our venerable Metro-
'politan, the Archbishop of Halifax, the official copy of an Eln-
cyclical Letter recently addressed by Our Holy Father, Pope
Leo XIII, to all the Bishops of the Catholic world, ordaining
that henceforth. in every Catholic Church on the Feast of the
Epiphany each year, a collection be taken up from the faithful
to be transmitted to the Ordinary, who will duly forward it to the
Propaganda, Rome ; and the committee appointed for that pur-
pose by the Pope will distribute the alms thus received among
the various missionaries in Africa, who ai'e sent to bear the light
of the Christian Religion to multitudes who are still in pagan
darkness and worse than anti-Christian slavery, in that vast
continent.
We beg to send you herewith a copy of the said letter, such
as received, in Latin, preceded by translations in English and in
French, and request that you will read the same (in the vemacu-
. lar of your people) on the first Sunday after its reception, an-
nouncing at the same time, that on the following Sunday a
collection will be taken up in that Church or congregation, for
the object specified, according to the wishes of the Pope. This
collection will be repeated each succeeding year on the Feast of
the Epiphany or following Sunda3\
There is another anliual collection to be taken up each year,
on Good Friday, in behalf of the Franciscans who are charged
with the care of the sacred places of pilgrimage in the Holy
Laud, which collection in its totality as soon as received, will, as
in the past, be transmitted by the Bishop, to the Rev. Father,
Commissiary of the Holy Land for Canada, (at present Father
Frederic de Ghyvelde, O. S. F.,,residing at Three Rivers, P. Q.)
Knowing as we do the limited financial resources and strait-
ened circumstances of our faithful people in this young end
struggling Diocese, where a sufficiency of Churches, CTei^,
religious schools, and institutions, though gradually increasing,
)
are not yet sufficiently numerous and well founded ; and also
knowing the noble spirit of generosity and piety, with which
they have in the past responded to every call made upon them,
wo should feel loth to appeal to our flock for contributions to-
wards distant and outside objects, were it not for the authorit-
ative voice of the Sovereign Pontitf, who as the fatuer of all the
faithful, feels for all, especially the most needy, and begs in their
behalf even from those who have but little, a portion of that
little, to relieve and sustain their afflicted brethren ; and indeed,
of all outside calls, the two objects above specified justly claim
the consideration of all Christian people.
The sacred places in the Holy Land dear to the hearts of all
christains, the places that were sanctified by the presence of Our
Divine Lord, where the great mysteries of our religion,, the In- '
carnation, Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Our Saviour took
place, where the Holy Qhost first descended upon the disciples
and first members of the christian church, and where so many
miracles and great events in connection with the establishment
of Christianity occurred — these holy places hkve ever been the
objects of the christian's affection, their preservation and honor-
able religious condition, to receive the visits of pious pilgrims,
have ever been the object of the paternal official solicitude of the
Pope in every age. It was for this that the wars of the Cru-
sa(^ were indicted by Popes, md carried on bv christian kings
and people, against the Saracens who desecrated the holy places
and used toipsult, persecute and put to death the christians who
undertook pious pilgrimages in those cradle lands of their
holy religion. That whole country, Syria, in which are located
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Calvary, Mount Olivet, etc.,
still continues to be in the possession and under the government
of the Turkish Sultan. The power and influence of the chris-
tain nations of Europe during the past centuries, were not able
to deprive the Turkish empire of these holy places. But their
diplomatic relations with tne government of the Sultan of Tur-
key, obtained certain permissions and priveleges from the Turk-
ish government, by which religious communities of monks and
nuns, some under the patronage of France, some under that of
England, others under that of Austria, and some schismatical
Greeks under the patronage of Russia, are located adjacent
to, and are the guardians of these holv places respectively. So
that christian Snivellers and pilgrims from the various countries
of Europe and America, can now happily and without molesta-
tion or insult visit those sacred shrines, and while there receive
needed information, guidance and hospitality, from the christian
religious families and persons who are located there, and who
s
ftre supported by the donations and contributions distributed
amongst them by the christian people and nations who patronize
them, and without whose help they could not support themselves
in that now almos!. desert country. It is for this object that Our
Holy Father has ordered the annual collection on Good Friday
to be made for the Franciscans of the Holy Land.
The object of the other annual collection to be made on the
feast of the Epiphany for christianizing and delivering from
both spiritual and corporal slavery and barbarism, the vast mul-
titudes of the "Dark Continent," to whom the light of the Gos-
pel has not yet penetrated, is a most just and important one. It
IS most appropriate that the Sovereign Pontiff wno in his life is
realizing the prophetic title attributed to him "Lumen in Coelo,"
should interest hin^self in the conversion to the chiistian faith,
as well as the deliverance from barbaric slavery, of those fellow-
creatures of the interior of Africa, towards whom the civilized
nations of Europe are giving their attention. The explorations
of so many travellers recently, through the interior of
Africa, the wars waged by English troops in Egypt, among
whom were several from our Canadian provinces, the
trade and commercial relations opening up between outside
Christian peoples and the Africans, make opportune and favor-
able the time and means intended by the Holy Father for hid
most laudable missionary designs and enterprises in that contin-
ent. Hence I trust this collection of the Epiphany for the Afri-
cans will be generous and duly sustained.
I avail myself of this occasion to announce that the dispen-
sation from the obligations of fasting and abstinence, on account
of prevalent influenza, proclaimed to the faithful under our
jiinsdiction in our circvm>r letter dated Feb. 27th, 1890, as
authorized by the Pope'& a-cree, is hereby withdrawn ; and fur-
ther that 'the regulations fci* Lent this year will be the same as
those in existence m our Diocese during the previous nine years.
Given at Chatham, N. B., this Slst day of December, 1890.
t«^ AMES ROGERS, Bishop of Chatham.
d
J
THE POPE'S ENCYCUCAL LETTER.
Venerable Brother.
Health and Apostolic Benediction.
As you have known, venerable Brother, there was scarcely
anything dearer to the Church from the be^nning than to see
the slavery which oppressed so many human beings by its mis-
erable yoke removed and entirely destroyed. A careful cus-
todian of the 'doctrine of her Founder, Who from His own mouth
and through the voice of His Apostles had taught the fraternal
amity which unites all men, inasmuch as they have the same
origin, are redeemed at the same price, and are called to the same
eternal bliss, she took up the neglected cause of the slaves and
stood forth a strenuous defender of liberty, although her action
was gradual and temperate in accordance as circumstances and
times required. That is to say, she did this with prudence and
discretion, constantly demanding what she sought in the name of
religion, justice and humanity ; by the adoption of which course
shenas most admirably furthered the prosperity of nations and
civil culture. Nor did this zeal of the Church for setting slaves
free grow weak with the lapse of time ; nay, the more fruitful it
proved, the more ardent it oecame. This is most certainly at-
tested by the monuments of history which have for that work
commended to posteri^ many of Our predecessors, amongst
whom are conspicuous St. Gregory the Great, Hadrian I., Alex-
ander III., Innocent III., Gregory IX., Pious II., Leo X., Paul
IIL, Urban VIH., Benedict XIV., Pious VIL, and Gregoiy XVI.,
who labored most earnestly that the system of slavery might be
abolished wherever it flourished, and that care should be taken
to prevent it from taking root again where it'had been destroyed.
Such a praiseworthy inheritance bequeathed by Our pi^e-
cessors could not be repudiated by Us ; wherefore We have
omitted no occasion of openly reprehending and condemning this
cruel plague of slavery ; and the opportunity occurring We treat-
ed of this matter in the letter sent to the Bishops of Brazil on
the 7th May, 1888, in which we congratulated them on what
had been done in that country, in a laudable manner, by private
individuals and by the State for the liberty of the slaves, and at
the same time We showed how much slavery is opposed to re-
ligion and the dignity of man. When We wrote that letter Wa
were, indeed, greatly moved by the condition of those who were
in servitude to others ; but We have been much more keenly
affected by the account of the miseries with which all the in-
habitants of certain regions in the interior of Africa have to
8
utruggle. It is truly woful and horrible to reUt
loarnfrotn aure informants, nearly four hundred \
eans,without distinction of ose or sex, are every year forcibly torn
from their rural villafi;e8, whence, bound in chains and oeaten
with scourges, they are dragged a long distance to the market-
places, where like cattle for sale, they are exhibited and disposed
of. As these things have been attei^ed by those who have seen
thum, and, as the reports have been confirmed by recent explor-
ers of Central Africa, We have entertained an ardent desire of
aiding those unfortunate creatures, as far as Our power will per-
mit, and relieving their wretchedness. Without delav, thereu>re,
We requested Our beloved son, Cardinal Charles Miurtial Lavi-
gerie, whose apostolic energy and seal are well known to Us, to
go through the principal nations of Europe in order that he
might pomt out the ignominy of this most aigroceful traffic and
induce rulers and states to come to the assistance of those afflict-
ed people. Wherefore, We have to thank Christ our Lord, the
beloved Redeemer of all people. Who in His bounty has not suf-
fered Our efforts to remain without effect, but has willed that
ihoy should be, as it were seed sown in fertile ground, which
gives promise of a satisfactory crop ; for both the rulers of
states and Catholics throughout the world — all, in fact, to whom
the laws of nations and nature are sacred — have entered into
rivalry to examine as to the best method and means to be adopt-
ed for the radical abolition of this inhuman traffic. The solemn
congress held not long since at Brussels, at which representa-
tives of the rulers of Europe assembled, and the more recent
gathering of private men who met at Paris for the same great pur-
pose, are proofs that tlie cause of the African race will be defend-
ed with a force and oonstancyproportionate to the miseries under
which they are suffering. We are, therefore, unwilling to let
pass the occasion of returning due praise and thanks to the
rulers of Europe and other men of good will, and We earnestly
pra;^ Qod to grant a successful issue to their designs and under-
takings in such an important work.
But, besides the anxiety to defend liberty, another desire
touches more closely our Apostolic ministry, which bids us take
care to propasate in the regions of Africa the Qoepel doctrine
by which their inhabitants sitting, as they are, in darkness and
sunk in blind superstition, mav m enlightened with the light of
DiV^ine truth through which they may become vrith Us sharers
in the inheritance of the Kingdom of Qod. This object We
sought to attain all the more earnestly because when they have
received this light they will also shi^e off the yoke of human
slavery ; for where Christian customs and laws prevail, where
li
retif(iuii Imm tAUi^Iit men to olwerve juntice and honour human
rlignity, where the Hpirit of fraternal charity which Christ
lireathed haH Hpread far and wide, there neither slavety, nor a
Htate of Hlaverv, nor barbariNin can exist; but gentleness of man'
ners and Christian liberty adomo<l by civil culture, flourish.
Already many Apostolic men, pickefl Christian soldiers, as it
were, have entered those regions, and there have not merely ex-
erted themselves actively but laid down their lives for the sal-
vation of their brethren. Still "the harvest is rich, indeed, but
the labourera few." Hence it is necessary that as many more as
rMMsible, led by the same spirit of Qod, and fearing no dangers,
mconveniences, nor labours, should proceed to the regions where
this shameful traffic is carried on, with the view of carrying to
the inhabitants the doctrine of Christ which is bound up with
true liberty. But the undertaking of such a work demands ra-
sources commensurate with its extent ; for not without immense
expense can we look forward to the establishment of missionary
institutions, the making of long journeys, the preparation of
houses, the raising and completion of churches, and the carrying
out of other necessary requirements of this kind, which expense
must be borne for some years until the missionaries shall oe in
a position to support themselves in the places where they shall
have taken up their residence. Would that we had resources
which would enable us to take upon oui'selves this burden, but
since the straitness of Our circumstances stand in the way o£
Our desires, with paternal voice, We address vou, Venerable
Brother, other sacred administrators, and all Catholics, and We
recommend to your and their charity a work so holy and salu-
tary ; for We wish that all should become sharers in it, if only
by a small contribution, in order that divided amongst many,
the burden may be lighter to bear for each, and that all may
abundantly receive the grace of Christ (the furtherance of
Whose Kingdom is in question) and that by that grace all
may obtain peace, pardon of sin, and the choicest blessings.
Wherefore We decree that each year, wherever the mysteries
of the Epiphany of Our Lord are celebrated, there shall be held
on that day a collection, as of alms, in aid of the work We have
described. And We have chosen that solemn day above others
because, as you well know, Venerable Brother, on that day the
Son of Qod revealed Himself to the nations when He showed
himself to the Magi, who were therefore happily called by St.
Leo the Great, Our predecessor, "the first fruits of our vocation
and Faith." We are, therefore, buoyed up by the firm hope
that Christ Our Lord, moved by the charity and the prayers of
His children, who have received the light ox truth, will also shed
I' i
tho light of HiH Divine rflvelatitin on this mont wreteliod portion
of the human race, ami will ruscue it from tho mire of super*
ntition and the mfvrable condition in which it has m lung bcvu
cast down and neglected.
We desire that the money collected in the chu.ches and
chapels under your jurisdiction nn the day mentioned be for-
warded to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda at Rome. It
will be the duty of that Congregation to distribute the money
amongst the missionH which exist or shall lie established to abol-
ish HMkvery most effectually in Africa. The distribution will
take place this way : the money obtained from the nations which
have their own Catholic missions for the redemption of the
slaves, as We have stated, will bo devoted to the support and as-
sistance of tho9e missions. The Sacred Congregation, to whom
the necessities of these same missions are known, shall with pru-
dent judgment distribute amongst the more needy the remain-
der of the contributions.
We doubt not that Ood, who abr»unds in mercy will gracious-
ly answer the intentions We have i'ormed for the benetit of tho
unhappy Africans and that you, venerable brother, will willing-
ly exercise your zeal and lend your assistance so that they may
be amply fulfilled. We trust, moreover, that the temporary and
special aid, which the faithful will contribute for the purpose of
wiping out the shame of this inhuman traffic and sustaining the
ministers of the Qospel in the places where it flourishes, will not
result in any diminution of the liberality with which .they arc
wont to assist Catholic missions through the institution foun-
ded at Lyons for the Propagation of the Faith. On that useful
work which we have on a former occasion commended to the
zeal of the faithful, We bestow, now that the opportunity oc-
curs, a fresh testimony of praise, desiring that it may widely ex-
tend its beneiihs, and may enjoy a healthy prosperity. Mean-
while, to you, venerable brother, and to the clergy and faithful
committed to your pastoral care. We most lovingly impart th(i
. Apostolic Benediction.
Given at St. Peter's, Rome, on the 20th Nov., 1890, the thir-
teenth year of Our Pontificate. LEO XIII, POPE.
IJi
8
LETTRE
DE SA SAINTETe' LE PAPE LEON XIH
AUX EVEQUES DU MONDE CATHOLIQUE
SUR L'ABOLITION DE L'ESCLAVAGE
Venerables Freres,
Salut et benediction apostolique.
L'Eglise catholique, qui embrasse tons les hommes dons sa
matemelle affection, n'a eu dans^ tons les temps rien de plus a
coeur, comme vous le savez, Venerable FrSre, que de voir I'es-
clavage, lui faisait peser un ioug cruel sur un si grand nom-
bre des mortels, ^re supprime et disparaitre enticement. Gar-
dienne vigilante de la doctrine de son Fondateur, qui avait
enseigne aux hommes, par lui-meme et par la voix des Ap^res,
le lien fraternal qui les unit tous, comme sortis de la m€tao ori-
gine, rachetes du meme prix, appel^ au m^e bonheur ^temel,
elle prit en mains la cause abandonn€e des esclaves et se niontra
le champion valliant de la libertcf, bien que, selou I'exigence '
des choses et des temps, elle agit graduellement et ^vec mesure.
Elle accompiit en effet cette oeuvre avec sagesse et maturity, ne
cessant de poursuivre son but au nom de la religion, de la jus-
tice et de t'humanit^, et elle merita ainsi excellemment du pro-
gres et d^ la civilisation.
Ce zele de I'E^lise pour I'affranchissement des esclaves ne
s'affaiblit pas avec le cours des ^es ; au contraire, plus il obte-
nait de succ^s, plus son ardeur croissait. Cela est atteste par les
monuments les plus certains do I'histoire, qui a recommande a
ce titre a la posterite nombre de Nos prrfdcS&esseurs, parmi les-
quels on distingue saint Gregoire le Grand, Adrien I, Alexan-
dre ill. Innocent III, Gregoire IX, Pie II, Leon X, Paul III,
Urbain VIII, Beiioit XIV, Pie VII, Gregoire XVI, qui consacr#-
rent tous leurs efforts d: faire disparaitre I'institution de I'escla-
vage de la ou elle existait, et i^ empecher que, 1& bu elle ^lait
supprimee, ses germes ne vinssent a roprendre vie.
Nous ne pouvions repudier un helitage si glorieux transmis
par Nos pr^d^cesseurs ; c'est pourquoi Nous n'avons neglige
aucune occasion de reprouver publiquement et de condamner
cet horrible fleau de I'edclavage ; et nous avons traits avec soin
de cette question dans la Lettre que Nous avons adress^, le 3
des nones de mai de I'ann/e 1888, aux ^veques du Br^sil, par
laquelle Nous les avons Micites de tout ce que les particuliers
et le pouvoir avaient accompli de louable dans ce pays pour la
9
lib^rt^ des caclaves, et Nous avons montr^ en meme temps com-
bien I'esclavage est contraire ti la religion et a la dignite hu-
maine.
A la veVite, pendant que Nous ecrivions cette Lettre. Nous
e'tions vivement ^niu de la condition de ceux qui sont la pro-
pri^t^ d'un autre; mais Nous etions bien plus cruellement
affccte^par le rScit des maux qui assaillent tous les habitants de
certaines re'gions de I'Afrique intdHeure. Cast chose lamentable
ajisur^raent et horrible i rappeler ce que nous apprennent des
te'inoignages certains, que pres de quatre cent mille Africains,
sans distinction d'aee ni de sexe, sont chaque ann^e arrach^
par violeQce des villages qu'ils habitent d'ou, charges de chai-
nes et accabld^ de coups, lis sout traines par de longs chemins
sur des marches pour y etre exposes et vendus comme un vil
b^taU.
Comme ces faits ont 6te attest& par des t^moins oculaires et
confirmd& par les recents exploratenrs de I'Afrique equatoriale,
Nous avons ete enflamme du desire de secourir selon Nos for-
ces ces malheureux etxie soulager leur infortune. C'est pourquoi,
sans aucun retard. Nous avons confie' a Notre chers Fils le car-
dinal Charles-Martial Lavigerie, dont I'activit^ et le zlle aposto-
lique Nous sont connus, le soin d'aller dans les principales villes
de I'Europe pour faire ressortir I'ignoroinie de cet infame n^goce
et pour incliner I'esprit des Princes et des citoyens a preter as-
sistance 4 une race mal heureuse.
«
A ce sujet. Nous devons des actions de grace au Christ Sei-
gneur, Redempteur tres ai mant de tous les peuples, qui n'a pas
permis, dans sa bont^ que Nos sollicitudes fussent vaines, mais
qui a voulu qu'elles lussent comme la semence conii^ a une
terre fertile, promettant une joyeuse moisson. Car les chefs des
peuples et les catholiques du monde entier, tous ceux enfin a
qui le droit des gens et les droits de la nature sont sacr^s, ont
nvalis^ dans la recherche des meilleurs moyens a employer
pour extirper radicale^nent ce commerce inhumain. Le conges
solennel t«nu il y a peu de temps it Bruxelles, auquel ont pris
part les d^egueS des piinces de TEurope, et Tassembld^ plus
rdcente dans laquelle des hommes priv^ se sont r^unis it Paris
dans le in^e but, teimoignent ostensiblement que la cause des
nd]gres sera d^fendue avec une force et une Constance propor-
tionnees & la masse des maux qui les ecraseni Cest pourquoi
nous ne voolons pas laisser ecnapper Toccauon qui soffre de
nouveau de louer et de remericier comme ib le meritent les
princes de I'Europe et les autres hommes de bonne volonte, et
Nous prions instamment le Dieu tout-puissant qn'il daigne don-
I
10
ner le succes a leurs clesseins et aux comraenceraents d'nna si
grande entrfeprise.
Mais, outre le aouci de protewer la liberty, une autre solicitu-
de plus grave tient de plus pres a* Notre minis^fere apostolique,
lequel ^us preacrit de teiller rf ce que la doctrine evanseliqu^
soitpropa^^e dans les regions de TAfrique, afin qu'elle illumine
les habitants de ces terres assis dans les te'nebres, aveugUs par
d'epaisses superstitions, des clarteS de la verite' divine, qui les
rende participants avec nous de I'h&ritage du royaume de Dieu,
Nous poursuivons ce but avec d'autant plus d'ardeur qu'ayant
re9U eette lumiere, ils secoueront aussi le j6ug de la servitude
humaine. Lsl, en effet, ou lea nioeurs et les lois chr^iennes sont
en vigueur ; la ou la religion a instruit les hommes a observer
la justice et i^honorer la dignite humaine; la 6u s'est large-
ment repandu I'esprit de la charit^ fratemelle que ^esus-Christ
nous a enseignee, il ne pent plus subsister ni servitude, ni feifo-
cite, ni barbarie ; mais on voit fleurir Tameldite des mceurs et
la liberte chr^tienne omee des biens de la civilisation.
Deja plusieui-s hommes apostoliques, comme des soldats
d'avant garde de Jesus-Christ, ont aborde ces regions et y ont
repandu non seulement lour sueur, mais aussi leur vi^ pour le
salut de leurs fr^res. Mais la moiason est abondante etpeu nom-
breux sont les iravailleurs ; c'estpourquoi il faut qiie d'autres, en
grand nombre, sous Faction du nrekue esprit de Dieu, sans crain^
dre aucun p^ril, aucune difficulte, aucun labeur, s'en ailknt
vers les regions ou s'exerce ce honteux commerce, pour porter
ff leurs habitants la doctrine de Jesus Chii^t uuie a la vraic
libert*^
Mais I'entrejMnse d'une si grande oeuvre recliaila6 desressour-
cds €|;ales c( ses proportions. Car ce n'est pas sans de grandes
de^)€!nses qu'on peut pourvoir a* Tetablissement des nrissionnaires,
aux frais de longs voyages, a la mise en etat des maisdns, a la
Construction et a romementation des e'glises et aux autres neces-
site^ du m^ie getire ; toutes c(s depenses devront ^re suppw-
tees durant qudques ann^s, jusqu'a ce que, dans les lieuxoh
ils 86 seront Itublii^, les predicatours de I'Evangile puissent se
sufflre avec lettrs propres mo^ens.
Plut a Dieu que Nos ressources f ussent suffisantes pour Nous
p^rniettre d'assumer cette charge ! Mais, puisque I'eta^ae d^tresse
ou Nous sommes s'oppose K cette realisation de Nos vcbux, NoiUs
vous adressons un appel paternel, rf Vous, V^nA^bles'Firelfes, Il
tons les ekutres eveques et i? tous les catholiques, et Nous recom'-
mandons a votre charite comme i la leur une o6nvre si sainteet
salutaire. Nous souhaitons, en effet, qu&tous y participenti fu-
ce par la plus l%ere aumdhe, aiin que, repartie entre plus de
i, a la
neces-
il
ninnde, la chai^ soit plus facile a porter pour chacun ; afin
aussi que la ^race de Jesus Christ, dont il s'agit d'elendre le r^-
gne, se r^pande sur tous et qu a tous elle apporte la paix, le par*
don des p&ch6s ct tous les dons de choix.
C'est pourquoi nous Itablissons que, chaque iinnee, au jour et
dans tous les lieux oii Ton cflebro la f^ de TEpiphanie du
Seigneur, une qu^ sera faite pour venir en aide & I'oeuvre dont
Nous venons de parler. Nous avons choisi entre les antres, cette
solennitrf parce que, comme vous le coinprencz tr& bien, Vefirf-
rablos Freres, c'est en ce jour que le Fils de Dieu s'est premilre-
ment revele aux nations en se fcisant voir aux Magis qui, a
cause de cela, ont ^t^ heureusement appel^ par saint L^on le
Grand, Notre predecesseur, les pr^iices de noire vocation et de
noire fox. Aussi Nous avons bon espoir que Notre Seigneur
Jesus Christ, touche de la charity et des pri^res de ses fils qui
ont recu la . lumieVe de la vente, illuminera semblablement par
la revelation de sa divinit^ cette partie si malheureuse du genre
humain, et qu'il I'arrachera au bourbier de superstition et 2t la
condition miserable oh, dans I'abjection et I'abandon, elle est
depuis si longtemps plongee.
C'est en outre Notre volonte que I'argent recueilli au jour in-
diqu^ dans les eglises et les chapelles souuiises a votre juridic-
tion soitenvoy^a Rome, «k la Sacr^-Congregation de la Propa^
gande. C'est acelle-ci qu'il appartiendra de partager ces oflran-
des entre les missions qui sont ou seront install^ dans les
rd^ons de I'Af rique priTicipalemeni nottr y detruire I'eaclavage ;
et la rSgle de la repartition sera que i argent provenant de nations
ayant leurs missions catholiques pour la liberation des esclaves,
ainsi que Nous I'avons dit, soit applique «? soutenir et A aider ces
missions. Quapt au restedes aumShes, il sera distribue avec un
sage discemement entre les missions les plus pauvres par la
m^e Sacr^fe-Congr^atioUi qui est au courant des , besoms de
ces missions.
Nous ne saurions douter que le Dieu riche en misericoirde
n'accueille avec bon to les voeux que Nous formons pour les mal-
heureux Africains, et que vous, V^n^bles Freres, vous ne don-
niez av<;c empressement votre zele et vos efforts pour qu'ils soient
pleinement accomplis. De plus, Nous avons confiance que ce
secours temporaire et particulier, apport^ par les fiddles pour
faire disparaitre la tSche d'un tra£c inhamain et pour soutenir
les messagers de I'Evangile dans les lieux oi!l ce trafic existe,
n'am^nera aucune diminution dans la libdi^it^ avec laquelle ils
ont ooutume d'aider les missions catholiques en versant leurs
otfrandes a I'cEUvre fondee a Lyon sous le nom de Pro]^ation
de la Foi. Cette oeuvre salutaire, que Nous avons deja recom-
12
mandee a* la sollicitude des fiddles, aujourd'hui encore Nous
aaisissons I'occasion do I'honorer par un nouvel eloge, en expri-
mant le desir qu'elle ^tende au loin sa bienfaiaance et qu'elle
jouisse d'une florissante et heureuse prosp^riteT
En attendant Nous vous donnons tres affectueuseinent la
benediction apostolique, a* vous, Venerables Freres, ainsi qu'au
cler^e et aux fiddles confieS a*votre vi^lance pastorale.
DonneVRome, pres Saint Pierre, Te 20 novembre de I'ann^e
1890, la treiziline de Notre Pontiiicat. /
LEON XIIi; PAPE.
13
VENERABILIS FRATER
SaLVTEM et apostoucah benedictionem
Catholicae Ecclesiae, quae oinnes homines materna caritate
complectitur, nihil fere antiquius fuit inde ab initio, ceu nosti,
Venerabilis Frater, quani ut servibutem, quae uiisero jugo prein-
ebat mortalium quamplurimos, sublatam cernerct penitusque dele-
taiD. Sedula enim custos doctrinae Condi toris sui, qui per se
Ipsum et Apostolorum voce docuerat homines f ratemam neces-
situdinem quae jungit universes, utpote eadem origine cretas,
eodem pretio redemptos, ad eaindem vocatos beatitatem aeter-
nam, suscepit neglectam servorum causam ac strenua vindex
libertatis extitit, etsi, prout res et tempora ferebant, sensiiu rem
gereret ac temperate. Scilicet id praestitit prudentia et consilio
coustanter postulans quod intendebat religionis, justitiae et
humanitatis nomine ; quo facto de nationum prosperitate cultuque
civili meruit optime. — Neque aetatis decursu hoc Ecclesiae studi-
um adserendi mancipia in libertatem elanguit ; imo quo fructuo-
sius erat in dies, eo flagrabat irapensius. Quod certissima tes-
tantur monumenta historiae, quae eo nomine plures commen*
davit posteritati Decessores Nostros, quos inter praestant S.
Gregorius Magnus, Hadrianus I, Alexander III, Innocentius III,
Gregorius IX, Pius II, Leo X, Paulus III, Urbanus VIII, Bene-
dictus XIV, Pius VII, Gregorius XVI, qui omnem curam et
operam contulere, ut servitutis institutio, ubi vigebat, excideret,
et caveretur ne unde exsecta fuerat, ibi ejus germina re-
viviscerent
Tantae laudis hereditas a Praedecessoribus tradita repudiari
a Nobis non poterat : quare nulla praetermissa a Nobis occasio
est, improl^ndi palam damnandique tetricam banc servitutis
pestem ; ac data opera de ea re in htteris egimus, quas III Nonas
Maias anno moccclxxxyiii ad Episcopos BrasUiae dedimus,
quibus gratulati sumus de iis, quae pro mancipiorum libertate in
ea regione gesta fuerant laudabili exeroplo privatim et publice,
simulque ostendimus quantopere servitus religioni et humanae
dignitati adversetur. Equidem cum ea sciiberemus, vehementer
commovebamur eorum couditione qui dominio subduntur alieno ;
at multo acerbius afiecti sumus narratione aerumneunim, quibus
conflictantur incolae universi regionum quarumdam Africae in-
terioris. Miserum sane et horrendum memoratu est, quod certis
nunciis accepimus, fere quadringenta Af rorum millia,nullo aetatis
ac sexuB discrimine, quotannis abripi per vim e rusticis pagis,
unde catenis vincti ac caesi verberibus longo itinere trahuntur
ad fora, ubi pecudum instar promercalium exhibentur ac veneunt.
/
u
— Quae cum testata essent ob iis «jui viderunfc, et a recentibus
exploratoribus Africae aeqntnoctialis confirmata, desiderio incensi
suinus opittilandi pro vinbus miseris illis, levandique eorum-
calainitatem. Propterea, nulla interji'cta mora, dilecto Filio
Nostro Cardinali Cavolo Martialt Lavigeric, cujus perspecta Nobis
est alacritas ac zelus Apostolicus, curaiu deuiandaviinua obeundi
praecipuas Europae civitates, ut mercatus hujus turpissiiiii
ignoininiam ostenderet, et Principum civiumquo aniinos ad opem
t'erendam aeruninosae ^enti iuclinaret. — Quain ob rem gratiae
Nobis habendae sunt Cbristo Domino, gentium omnium Re-
deraptori amantissimo, qui pro bsaignitatc sua passus non est
euras Nostras in irritum cedere, sed voluit esse quasi semen
feraci creditum humo, quod laetam aefgetem pollicetur. Naroque
et Rectores populorum et Catholici ex toto terrarum orlie, omnes
demum, quibus sancta sunt gentium et naturae jura, certarunt
inquirere, qua potissimum I'atione et ope conniti praestet, ut
inhumanum illud * commercium evellatur radieitus. S<ilemnis
Conventus non ita pridem Bruxellis actus, quo Legati Principum
Europae congressi sunt, ac recentior coetus privatorum virorum,
qui eodem spectantes magno animo Lutetiam convenere, mani-
festo portenduut tanta vi et constantia Nigritarum causam
defensum iri, quanta est ea qua premuntur aerumnarum moles.-
Quare oblatam iterum occasionem noluraus omittere, ut meritas
agamus laudes et gratias Europae Principibus ceierisque bonae
voluntatis hominibus, atque a summo Deo precamur enixe, ut
eorum consiliis et orsis tanti operis prosperos dare velit eventus.
At vero praeter tuendae libertatis curam, gravior alia pressius
attingit apostolicum ministerium Nostrum, quod Nos curare
jubet, ut in Africae regionibus propagetur Evangelii doctrina,
quae illarum incolas sedeutos in tene:bris, a caeca superstitione
ofiiisis, illustret divinae veritatis luce« perquan nobif»cum
fiant participes hereditatis Regni Dei. Id autem eo
curamus enixius, quod illi, hac luce recepta, etiam humanae
servitutis ab s6 jugum excutient Ubi enim ohrisliani inore&
legesque vigent, ubi religio sic homines instituit^ ut justitiam
servent atque in honore habeant humanam dignitatem, uhi late
spiritus manavit fratemae caritatis, quam Christus nos docuit,
ibi neque servitus, nee f eritas, neque barbaria extare potest ; sed
floret morum suavitas, et civili ornata cultu Christiana libertas. —
Plures jam Apostolici viri, quasi Ghristi milites antesignani
adiere regiones illas. ibique ad fratrum salutem non suoorem
modo sed vitam ipsam profuderunt. Sed mesaie quidem mvMa,
operarii autem pauci : que.re opus est^ ut alii quamplures eodem
acti spiritu Dei, nulla verentes aiscrimina, incommoda et labores,
ad eas regiones pergant, ubi probrosum illud commercium exer-
15
cetur, allaiuri illarum incolis doctnnani ChriHii verae liliertAti
conjunctatn.— Verum tanti oporis aggressio copias flagitat ejus
ainplitudini pares. Non eniiii sine inj^^enti tiuinptu pruspici
potest MiHsionariorum iustitutioni, longis itincribus, parandis
aedibus, teinplis excitaiuUs et instruendis, aliisque id genus
neccHsariis, <{uae quidein iuipendia per aliquot annos snstinenda
erunt, donee in iis locis uu? cons >derint evangelii praecones, suis
se sumptibus tueri possint. Utinam Nobis vires suppeterent
quibus possenius hoc onus suscipere. At quum votis Nostris
obsistant graves, in quibus vei-sanmr, reruni angustiae, te,
Venerabilis Frater, aliosque sacrorum Antistites et Catholicos
oinnes patema voce coupellannis, et Vestrac corunique caritati
conimendamus opus tarn sanctum et salutare. Omnes enini
participes ejus optamus iieri, exigua licet coUata stipe, lit
dispartituin in piures onus levius cuique toleratu sit, atque ut
in omnes effundatur gratia Christi, de cuius regni propugnatione
agitur, eaque cunctis \mcein, veniam peccatoruni, et lectissiina
quaeque munera impertiat.
Propterea constituiinus, ut quotannis, qua die in quibusque
locLs Epiphaniae Domini celebrantur mysteria, in sub.si<]iuni
mcmorati operis pecunia stipis instar corrogetur. Hanc autem
solemnem dieiu prae ceteris elegimus quia, uti probe intelligis
Venerabilis Frater, ea die Filius Dei primitus sese gentibus
revelavit dum Magis videndum se piaebuit, qui ideo a S. Leone
Magno deccssoro Nostro scite dicti sunt vocationia no8tr(m
jideique lyrimitiae. Itaqne bona spe nitimur fore, ut Christus
Dominus permotus caritate et precibus fiKorum, qui veritatis
lucem acceperunt, revelatione divinitatis suae etiam miserrimam
illam hiimani generis partem illustret, eamque a superstitionis
coeno et aerumnosa conditioue, in qua tamdiu abjecta ot nep|;lecta
jacetj eripiat. ' •dtcit
Placet autem Nobis, ut pecunia, praedicta die, collecta in
ecclesiis et sacellis subjectis jurisdictioni tuae, Romam mittatur
ad Sacrum Consilium Christiano nomini propagando. Hujus por-
ro munus erit partiendi earn pecuniam inter Missiones quae ad
delendam, potiasivium servitutem in Africae regionibus extant
aut instituentur : cujus partitionis hie modus erit, ut pecunia
profecta ex nationibus, quae suas habent catholicas missiones ad
vindicandos in libertatem servos, ut memoravimus, istis
missionibus sustentandis juvandisque addicatur. Reliquam vero
stipem ideini Sacrum Consilium, cui earumdem missionum
necessitates compertae sunt, inter egentiores prudenti judicio
partietur.
Equidem non ambigimus, quin vota Nostra pro infelicibus
Airis concepta, benigne excipiat dives in raisericordia Deus. ac
'/
16
tu Vencrabilis Frater, ultro collaturus sis studium operamque
tuam, ut ea expleantur cumulate. — Confidimus insuper, per hoc
temporarium ac peculiare subsidium, quod fideles conferent ad
inhumani commercii labem abolendam et sustentandos evanfi^elii
nuncios in locis ubi illud viget, nihil iraiuinutum iri de liberali-
taie qua Catholicas inissiones adjuvare solent cotlata stipe in In-
stitutum quod Lugduni conditum a wofpaaaiione fidei nomen
accepit. Salutare hoc opus, quod fidelium studiis pridem
commendavimus, hac nunc opportunitate oblata novo omamus
laudis testimonio, optantes ut late porrigat beneiicentiam suatn
et lacta floreat prosperitate. Interim Tibi, Venerabilis Frater,
Clero et fidelibus pastorali vigilantiae tuae commissis, Apostoli-
cam Benedictionem peramanter impertimus.
Datum Romae apud S. Petrum, die XX Novembris anno
MDCCCXC, Pontilicatus Nostri decimo tertio.
LEO PP. XIII.
1
t