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CIHM/ICMH
Microfiche
Series.
CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches.
Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques
1980
Technical Notes / Notes techniques
The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Physical features of this copy which may alter any of the images in the reproduction are checlced below.
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Coloured covers/ Couvertures de couleur
L'institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Certains d6fauts susceptibles de nuire d la quality de la reproduction sont not6s ci-dessous.
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Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur
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Coloured maps/
Cartes g^ographiques en couleur
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Coloured plates/ Planches en couleur
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Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tachet6es ou piqudes
Tight binding (may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin)/ Reliure serrd (peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure)
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Additional comments/ Commentaires suppldmentaires
Bibliographic Notes / Notes bibliographiques
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Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible
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Pagination incorrect/ Erreurs de pagination
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Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents
Cover title missing/
Le titre de couverture manque
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Pages missing/ Des pages manquent
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Des cartes g^ographiques manquent
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Additional comments/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires
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The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications.
The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol ^^ (meaning CONTINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies.
Les images suivantes ont it6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la conii...on et de la netteti de I'exemplaire filmA, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage.
Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la der- niire image de cheque microifiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE ', le symbole V signifie "FIN".
The original copy was borrowed from, and filmed with, the Itind consent of the following institution:
Library of the Public
Archives of Canada
IVIaps or plates too large to be entirely included in one exposu.^e are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method:
L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de l'6tablissement prAteur suivant :
La bibliothdque des Archives
publiques du Canada
Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul clich6 sont film6es A partir de I'angle supirieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode :
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mLIOTMSQUC MCHIVEf PUlLIQUftk OnAWA. OMT.
^U' ^:
PASTORAL LETTER
OF
THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS
UK TIIK
FiTIISIASTICAl, I'liOVIMES iiF 01F.BH \lii\TliL\l,, .WD OTTAWA.
ON
The Manitoba School Question.
v^e, by the (}ra("e of god, and favor of the Apostolic 8ee, Archbishops and Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa.
To the Secular and Re^-ular Cl.er^//. and to all the faithful of our respective dioceses, health and benediction in oar Lord.
J)early beloved Brethren,
Called by the will of our Divine Lord to the spiritual government of the particular churches confided to their care, the Bishops, au(^ces8or8 of the Apostles, have not <»nly the mission to teach truth at all times and to infuse salutary principles into the souls of men, but they hav'e, moreover, in certain critical ^d perilous circumstances, the right, and it is their duty to raise their voices to forewarn the faithful of dangers that threaten their faith, and to direct, stimulate, and sustain them in the just revindication of their impres- criptible rights, manifestly disregarded and violated.
You know, dearly beloved brethren, the vei-y pjiinful position in which our co-religionists of Manitoba have been
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placed by the unjust laws which deprivod them, six years aiiio, of the separate school system, which, in virtue of the Constitution of tlie country, they enjoyed till then — a school system so important, so necessary for a mixed popu- lation, for a healthy education and for the formation of children in the principles of the Catholic faith, which is, on earth, our greatest treasure and most precious inheritance.
We stood not in need of the decisions of civil tribunals, dearly beloved brethren, to see the injustice of these Mani- toban laws, these attacks on liberty and justice, still, it has pleased Divine Providence, in His wisdom and goodness, to obtain for Catholics the legal support of an unexceptional and sovereign authority in the recognition, by the highest tribunal of the Empire, the legitimacy of their griefs and the legality of a Federal Remedial measure.
In view of these facts, the Canadian Episcopate, solicitous above all, for the interest of religion and the good of souls, could not dissimulate the gravity of the duty which was imposed on their pastoral solicitude, and which obliged them to claim justice as they have done.
For, since the Bishops, Avhose authority is from God liimself, are the natural judges of questions concerning christian faith, religion and morals ; since they are the recog- nized heads of a perfect society, sovereign and superior by its nature and its end to civil pociety, it belongs to them, when circumstances require it, not only to express uniquiv- ocally their views and their desires in every religious matter, but to point out to the faithful, or approve of suit- able means to arrive at the spiritual end they have in view. This is the doctrine of the great Pope Leo XIII, in his
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Encyclical Jmmortale Dei : " All that is sacrcMl in human affairs, under any tith> \vhatov(;r, all that regards the end in view, all such tails under the jurisdiction and authority of the Church."
We deem it of importance, dearly heloved brethren, to remind 3'ou briefly of these inherent principles in the cons- titution of the church itself, these essential rights of religious authority, in order to justify the attitude taken by the members of the Catholic Hierarchy in the present school question, and to explain more fully the obligations under which the faithful are of following Episct)pal directions.
If there are, in fact, circumstances in which Catholics aught U) manifest openly towards the church all the respect and devotedness to which she is entitled, it is surely in a crisis such as the present, when the highest interests of faith and justice are at stake, demanding on the [)art of all good men, a united and firm front under the direction of their leaders.
We had hopes, dearly beloved brethren, that tiie last session of the Federal Parliament would bring to a termina- tion the school difficulties which so widely divide men's minds ; we have been deceived in these hopes. History itself will judge of the causes which impeded the long- expected solution.
As for us who have in vii'W only the triumph of the eternal principles of religion and justice contided to our care, we, whom no defeat will ever be able to dishearten or turn aside from the acconqdishment of the divine mission which was that of the apostles themselves, we feel, in the presence of the electoral struggle about to take place, that
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ail imperative duiy is iuciimbcnl on us : this duty is to iuUicati' to all the faithful under our jurisdiction, and whose eonsciencos uc have to direct, tiie only line of conduct to be followed in the i)re8ent elections.
Should we, first of all, remind you, dearly beloved breth- ren, how noble and important is the right bestowed upon you by the constitution in designating foi- otHce the depo- sitaries of public power ? Every citizen worthy of the name, every Canadian who loves his country, who whishes it to be great, peaceful and prosperous, should interest himbelf in its government.
Now, the government of our country, of a people still young, but capable of occupying a distinguished place among the nations, will be what you will make it yoursel- ves by your choice and by your votes.
That is to say, dearly beloved brethren, as a general rule, and save rare exceptions, it is a duty of conscience for every citizen to vote : a duty all the more grave and press- ing as the questions disputed are important and may exercise over your destinies an influence more or less deci- sive.
That is to say, again, you should vote as honest, wise, enlightened and intelligent christians.
Avoid then, dearly beloved brethren, the deplorabk' (ex- cesses against which we frequently warned you ; perjury, intemperance, lying, calumny, violence and paity spirit, which warp the judgment and produce a kind of volun- tary obstinate blindness.
Do not sell your vote. To vote is a duty, and duty is not sold. Give not your vote to the first comer, but to him
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whom in conscience you judge the bent qualified b^' his mental powerw, firmnesH of character, ami his moral princi- ples, to till the noble oftice of legislator.
And that this judgment may be surer, and more eidightened, fear not the criticisms ot a newspaper or the opinions ot a friend who would hamper your mind : con- sult, when necessary, before voting, persons who, by their instruction, their rank or their social standing, ari' best qualified to judge of the questions that are agitated, and to appreciate the relative value of the candidates who ask your sutfrage.
Tliese are, dearly beloved brethren, general principles ot wisdom and christian prudence, that apply to all times and to Jill elections in which the laws of the country permit you to take part.
But, in the present circumstances, the duty ot Canadian electors, principally Catholic electors, is invested with a character ot special importance, to whose gravity we desire to call your attention in a special manner. A grave injustice was committed against the Catholic Minority in Manitoba.
They were deprived of their Catholic Separate Schools, and forced to send their children to schools that their con- sciences condemn. The I'rivy ('ouncil of England reco- gnized the justice of the Catholic claim, and the right of the Federal Authorities to interfere, in order that justice be done to the oppressed. It is question then for the Catholics of our country, and well meaning Protestants to unite their strength and their ^itVuges, to secure a final victory for rehgious liberty, ana the triumph t>f the rights secured by the Constitution. The means to secure this end is to elect,
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as reprcsciittttiveH of tlio i>0()i)lo, only men sincerely resolved to favor witl) all tlioir inHuence and titHUstain in Parliament a measurt' to remedy tin- evils from which the Manitoban minority Huilern. In speaking to yon thus, dcaily beloved brethren, oni' intention is not to bind onrselv s to any of the parties tlmt are combating in the political arena ; on the contrary we desire to preserve our liberty. The Manito- ba School Cjuestion being, befort* all, a religions question, intimately allied to the dearest interests of the C'atholic faith in this country, to the natural rights of parents, and also to the respect due to the Constitution of the country and to the Uritish Crown, we would regard it as betraying a Sacred Cause of which wo are, and ought to be, the defenders if we did not use our authority to secure its success.
Renuirk, dearly beloved brethren, that a Catholic is not permitted, in whatever position he may be, — a journalist, an elector, a candidate or a representative, \i> have two lines of conduct in religious questions, one for private, and the other for public life, to trample underfoot, in the exercise of his social duties, the obligations imposed on him as a submissive child of the Church. This is whv our llolv Father Pope Leo XIIT, \\\ his Encyclical Libcrtds iirmshni- tissiintriti condemns those who "pretend that, in all that concerns the government of human society, its institutions, morals, laws, public functions, the instruction of youth, no more attention is to be paid to the C'hurch than if She did not exist. For the same reason he says elsewhere (Encyclical Iminorlale Dei) : " Before all it is necessary tluit all Ca- tholics, worthy of the name, determine to be, and show
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tlietiiHolvi 8 devoted hour of the Cliureh : tlmt tliey repulfl*' without hesitation all that would hv incompatible with thirt |)n»te88ioii ; that they make use of public institutiouH as far an they can in conscience for the furthe. "ice of truth and justice. »
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, all Catholics siiouM support only those candidates who bind themselves formally and solemnly to vote in parliament in favor of legislation which will restore to the Catholic minoritv of Manitoba the school riefhts to which tliey are entitled by the decision of the Hon. Privy Council of England. This grave duty is incumbant on every good Cathohc, and you would not be justified either before your spiritual guides, nor before God himself by neglecting this obligation.
Until now we could congratulate ourselves on having the sympathetic support of a great number of our separated brethren who understood that , in a country such as ours, iiaving different religions, it is necessary for the general good to make use of this broadness of view which respects liberty of conscience and acquired right. We appeal again to their spirit of justice and patriotism, so that, joining their infiuence to that of Catholics they may aid them to redress the grievances of which our co-religionists so justly complain.
What we want is tlie triumph of right and justice, ^he re-establishment of the rights and [)rivileges of our Ma. to- ba Brethren, the Roman Catholic minority, in educatio' ,1 matters so as to shelter them from arbitrary and unjust legislation.
We rely in this matter, dearly beloved brethren, on your spirit of faith and obedience.
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We are convinced that, siilnnissive in mind and iieart to the teacliing ot yonr chiof pastors, you will know how, it* called upon, to jtlace above your personal opinions and feelin;;H the interests ot" a cause vvhiiih excels all others ; that of justice, order, ami harmony in the different classcf which compose the great ('anadian family.
Done, and signed at Montreal, on the sixth (hiy of May, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
t Edwawd-Chas.. Abp. of Montreal, t J.-Thomas, Abp. of Ottawa, t L.-N., Abp, of Cyrfene, adm. of Quebec, t L.-F., Bishop of Tree-Rivers, t L -N., Bishoi) of St. llyacintlu
t N.-Zkphirix, IJishop of Cyth^.re, vie. Apost. of Pontiac. t Ei.iMiftdK, Mishop of Xicolet.
t Andre-Albkri', Bishop of St. Germain of Rimouski. t Mu'H.VKii-THo.MAS, Bishop of Chicoutimi. t Josepm-Medaim). Bishop of Valleytield. T F*AUL. liishop of Sherbrooke.
t Max., Bishop of Druzipara, coadjutor to the Bishop of St. Ilyacinthe.
By order of their Lordships,
Alfred Arch.xmhkault, Canon,
Chance/ /or.