Roman Catholic Testimony.
By Albert Weeks
“And they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” Dan. 7:26. The following Catholic testimony is a witness that this prophecy is having a rapid fulfillment:— “CIRCULAR SENT TO ALL THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS.” Rev. Dear Sir:—Please announce to your congregation that the annual collection for the Holy Father will be made in all the churches of the Archdiocese on the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, the 16th of June. I need not remind you of the many reasons for which it is not only very desirable, but even of urgent importance, that this collection should be, if possible, a more than usually large and liberal one. It is well known to all that the trials and embarrassments of our Holy Father have been multiplied during the past two years far beyond anything he has hitherto been obliged to endure. The enemies of the church and of the Apostolic See have been pursuing and still continue to pursue with ever-increasing boldness their work of sacrilege and spoliation in the capitol of the Christian world. It is sought to reduce the Venerable Pontiff, who is already virtually a prisoner in their hands, to the still further humiliation of becoming a pensioner to the bounty of an unscrupulous government, which has usurped his rights and robbed him of his temporal goods and possessions. To this he firmly and nobly refused to submit. He looks to his faithful children throughout the world, confident that from this indignity, at least, they can and will protect and rescue him. Ours, then, is a share in the duty and privilege of supplying the wants and consoling the heart of our common father. I don’t allow myself to doubt that his children in this diocese will perform their parts cheerfully and generously. Wishing you health and blessing, I remain, Rev. dear sir,
Very truly your friend and brother in Christ, JOHN, Archbishop of New York.” The above I copy from The Boston Pilot, July 6. I have italicized that which is particularly expressive of the fulfillment of the prophecy at the head of these lines, expressing the consumption of the papal dominion. The following from the same paper shows the apparent confidence that the pope has in the ability of the church to outride the storm: “The persecution of Catholics has commenced in Germany, but they display courage under affliction and have notified the German government that the persecution of the church is folly. The church, said the Holy Father, remains triumphant. We have asked Prince Bismarck how it is that the once contented German bishops have, according to the expressed belief of the German government, been suddenly transformed into dangerous conspirators.”