MIRARI VOS (On Liberalism and
Religious Indifferentism)
Pope
Gregory XVI
Encyclical of
Pope Gregory SVI promulgated on 15 August 1832.
To All Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and
Bishops of the Catholic World.
Venerable Brothers, Greetings and Apostolic
Benediction.
We think that you wonder why, from the time of
Our assuming the pontificate, We have not yet sent a letter to you as is
customary and as Our benevolence for you demanded. We wanted very much to
address you by that voice by which We have been commanded, in the person of
blessed Peter, to strengthen the brethren.1 You know what storms of
evil and toil, at the beginning of Our pontificate, drove Us suddenly into the
depths of the sea. If the right hand of God had not given Us strength, We would
have drowned as the result of the terrible conspiracy of impious men. The mind
recoils from renewing this by enumerating so many dangers; instead We bless the Father of consolation Who, having overthrown
all enemies, snatched Us from the present danger. When He had calmed this
violent storm, He gave Us relief from fear. At once We decided to advise you on
healing the wounds of
2. In the meantime We were again delayed
because of the insolent and factious men who endeavored to raise the standard
of treason. Eventually, We had to use Our God-given authority to restrain the
great obstinacy of these men with the rod.2 Before We did, their
unbridled rage seemed to grow from continued impunity and Our considerable
indulgence. For these reasons Our duties have been heavy.
3. But when We had assumed Our pontificate
according to the custom and institution of Our predecessors and when all delays
had been laid aside, We hastened to you. So We now present the letter and
testimony of Our good will toward you on this happy day, the feast of the
Assumption of the Virgin. Since she has been Our patron and savior amid so many
great calamities, We ask her assistance in writing to you and her counsels for
the flock of Christ.
4. We come to you grieving and sorrowful
because We know that you are concerned for the faith in these difficult times.
Now is truly the time in which the powers of darkness winnow the elect like
wheat.3 "The earth mourns and fades away....And the earth is
infected by the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws,
they have changed the ordinances, they have broken the everlasting
covenant."4
5. We speak of the things which you see with
your own eyes, which We both bemoan. Depravity exults; science is impudent;
liberty, dissolute. The holiness of the sacred is despised; the majesty of
divine worship is not only disapproved by evil men, but defiled and held up to
ridicule. Hence sound doctrine is perverted and errors of all kinds spread
boldly. The laws of the sacred, the rights, institutions, and discipline--none
are safe from the audacity of those speaking evil. Our Roman See is harassed
violently and the bonds of unity are daily loosened and severed. The divine
authority of the Church is opposed and her rights shorn off. She is subjected
to human reason and with the greatest injustice exposed to the hatred of the
people and reduced to vile servitude. The obedience due bishops is denied and
their rights are trampled underfoot. Furthermore, academies and schools resound
with new, monstrous opinions, which openly attack the Catholic faith; this
horrible and nefarious war is openly and even publicly waged. Thus, by
institutions and by the example of teachers, the minds of the youth are
corrupted and a tremendous blow is dealt to religion and the perversion of
morals is spread. So the restraints of religion are thrown off, by which alone
kingdoms stand. We see the destruction of public order, the fall of
principalities, and the overturning of all legitimate power approaching. Indeed
this great mass of calamities had its inception in the heretical societies and
sects in which all that is sacrilegious, infamous, and blasphemous has gathered
as bilge water in a ship's hold, a congealed mass of all filth.
6. These and many other serious things, which
at present would take too long to list, but which you know well, cause Our
intense grief. It is not enough for Us to deplore these innumerable evils
unless We strive to uproot them. We take refuge in your faith and call upon
your concern for the salvation of the Catholic flock. Your singular prudence
and diligent spirit give Us courage and console Us, afflicted as We are with so
many trials. We must raise Our voice and attempt all things lest a wild boar
from the woods should destroy the vineyard or wolves kill the flock. It is Our
duty to lead the flock only to the food which is healthful. In these evil and dangerous
times, the shepherds must never neglect their duty; they must never be so
overcome by fear that they abandon the sheep. Let them never neglect the flock
and become sluggish from idleness and apathy. Therefore, united in spirit, let
us promote our common cause, or more truly the cause of God; let our vigilance
be one and our effort united against the common enemies.
7. Indeed you will accomplish this perfectly
if, as the duty of your office demands, you attend to yourselves and to
doctrine and meditate on these words: "the universal Church is affected by
any and every novelty"5 and the admonition of Pope Agatho: "nothing of the things appointed ought to be
diminished; nothing changed; nothing added; but they must be preserved both as
regards expression and meaning."6 Therefore may the unity which
is built upon the See of Peter as on a sure foundation stand firm. May it be
for all a wall and a security, a safe port, and a treasury of countless
blessings.7 To check the audacity of those who attempt to infringe
upon the rights of this Holy See or to sever the union of the churches with the
See of Peter, instill in your people a zealous confidence in the papacy and
sincere veneration for it. As St. Cyprian wrote: "He who abandons the See
of Peter on which the Church was founded, falsely believes himself to be a part
of the Church."8
8. In this you must labor and diligently take
care that the faith may be preserved amidst this great conspiracy of impious
men who attempt to tear it down and destroy it. May all remember the judgment
concerning sound doctrine with which the people are to be instructed. Remember
also that the government and administration of the whole Church rests with the
Roman Pontiff to whom, in the words of the Fathers of the Council of Florence,
"the full power of nourishing, ruling, and governing the universal Church
was given by Christ the Lord."9 It is the duty of individual
bishops to cling to the See of Peter faithfully, to guard the faith piously and
religiously, and to feed their flock. It behooves priests to be subject to the
bishops, whom "they are to look upon as the parents of their souls,"
as Jerome admonishes.10 Nor may the priests ever forget that they
are forbidden by ancient canons to undertake ministry and to assume the tasks of
teaching and preaching "without the permission of their bishop to whom the
people have been entrusted; an accounting for the souls of the people will be
demanded from the bishop."11 Finally let them understand that
all those who struggle against this established order disturb the position of
the Church.
9. Furthermore, the discipline sanctioned by
the Church must never be rejected or be branded as contrary to certain
principles of natural law. It must never be called crippled, or imperfect or
subject to civil authority. In this discipline the administration of sacred
rites, standards of morality, and the reckoning of the rights of the Church and
her ministers are embraced.
10. To use the words of the fathers of
11. Now, however, We want you to rally to
combat the abominable conspiracy against clerical celibacy. This conspiracy
spreads daily and is promoted by profligate philosophers, some even from the
clerical order. They have forgotten their person and office, and have been
carried away by the enticements of pleasure. They have even dared to make
repeated public demands to the princes for the abolition of that most holy
discipline. But it is disgusting to dwell on these evil attempts at length.
Rather, We ask that you strive with all your might to justify and to defend the
law of clerical celibacy as prescribed by the sacred canons, against which the
arrows of the lascivious are directed from every side.
12. Now the honorable marriage of Christians,
which Paul calls "a great sacrament in Christ and the Church,"15
demands our shared concern lest anything contrary to its sanctity and
indissolubility is proposed. Our predecessor Pius VIII would recommend to you
his own letters on the subject. However, troublesome efforts against this
sacrament still continue to be made. The people therefore must be zealously
taught that a marriage rightly entered upon cannot be dissolved; for those
joined in matrimony God has ordained a perpetual companionship for life and a
knot of necessity which cannot be loosed except by death. Recalling that
matrimony is a sacrament and therefore subject to the Church, let them consider
and observe the laws of the Church concerning it. Let them take care lest for
any reason they permit that which is an obstruction to the teachings of the
canons and the decrees of the councils. They should be aware that those
marriages will have an unhappy end which are entered upon contrary to the
discipline of the Church or without God's favor or because of concupiscence
alone, with no thought of the sacrament and of the mysteries signified by it.
13. Now We consider another abundant source of
the evils with which the Church is afflicted at present: indifferentism. This
perverse opinion is spread on all sides by the fraud of the wicked who claim
that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the
profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained. Surely,
in so clear a matter, you will drive this deadly error far from the people
committed to your care. With the admonition of the apostle that "there is
one God, one faith, one baptism"16 may those fear who contrive
the notion that the safe harbor of salvation is open to persons of any religion
whatever. They should consider the testimony of Christ Himself that "those
who are not with Christ are against Him,"17 and that they
disperse unhappily who do not gather with Him. Therefore "without a doubt,
they will perish forever, unless they hold the Catholic faith whole and
inviolate."18 Let them hear Jerome who, while the Church was
torn into three parts by schism, tells us that whenever someone tried to
persuade him to join his group he always exclaimed: "He who is for the See
of Peter is for me."19 A schismatic flatters himself falsely if
he asserts that he, too, has been washed in the waters of regeneration. Indeed
Augustine would reply to such a man: "The branch has the same form when it
has been cut off from the vine; but of what profit for it is the form, if it
does not live from the root?"20
14. This shameful font of indifferentism gives
rise to that absurd and erroneous proposition which claims that liberty of
conscience must be maintained for everyone. It spreads ruin in sacred and civil
affairs, though some repeat over and over again with the greatest impudence
that some advantage accrues to religion from it. "But the death of the
soul is worse than freedom of error," as Augustine was wont to say.21
When all restraints are removed by which men are kept on the narrow path of
truth, their nature, which is already inclined to evil, propels them to ruin.
Then truly "the bottomless pit"22] is open from which John
saw smoke ascending which obscured the sun, and out of which locusts flew forth
to devastate the earth. Thence comes transformation of minds, corruption of
youths, contempt of sacred things and holy laws--in other words, a pestilence
more deadly to the state than any other. Experience shows, even from earliest
times, that cities renowned for wealth, dominion, and
glory perished as a result of this single evil, namely immoderate freedom of
opinion, license of free speech, and desire for novelty.
15. Here We must include that harmful and never
sufficiently denounced freedom to publish any writings whatever and disseminate
them to the people, which some dare to demand and promote with so great a
clamor. We are horrified to see what monstrous doctrines and prodigious errors
are disseminated far and wide in countless books, pamphlets, and other writings
which, though small in weight, are very great in malice. We are in tears at the
abuse which proceeds from them over the face of the earth. Some are so carried
away that they contentiously assert that the flock of errors arising from them
is sufficiently compensated by the publication of some book which defends
religion and truth. Every law condemns deliberately doing evil simply because
there is some hope that good may result. Is there any sane man who would say
poison ought to be distributed, sold publicly, stored, and even drunk because
some antidote is available and those who use it may be snatched from death
again and again?
16. The Church has always taken action to
destroy the plague of bad books. This was true even in apostolic times for we
read that the apostles themselves burned a large number of books.23
It may be enough to consult the laws of the fifth Council of the Lateran on
this matter and the Constitution which Leo X published afterwards lest
"that which has been discovered advantageous for the increase of the faith
and the spread of useful arts be converted to the contrary use and work harm
for the salvation of the faithful."24 This also was of great
concern to the fathers of Trent, who applied a remedy against this great evil
by publishing that wholesome decree concerning the Index of books which contain
false doctrine.25 "We must fight valiantly," Clement XIII
says in an encyclical letter about the banning of bad books, "as much as
the matter itself demands and must exterminate the deadly poison of so many
books; for never will the material for error be withdrawn, unless the criminal
sources of depravity perish in flames."26 Thus it is evident
that this Holy See has always striven, throughout the ages, to condemn and to
remove suspect and harmful books. The teaching of those who reject the censure
of books as too heavy and onerous a burden causes immense harm to the Catholic
people and to this See. They are even so depraved as to affirm that it is
contrary to the principles of law, and they deny the Church the right to decree
and to maintain it.
17. We have learned that certain teachings are
being spread among the common people in writings which attack the trust and
submission due to princes; the torches of treason are being lit everywhere.
Care must be taken lest the people, being deceived, are led away from the
straight path. May all recall, according to the admonition of the apostle that
"there is no authority except from God; what authority there is has been
appointed by God. Therefore he who resists authority resists the ordinances of
God; and those who resist bring on themselves condemnation."27
Therefore both divine and human laws cry out against those who strive by
treason and sedition to drive the people from confidence in their princes and
force them from their government.
18. And it is for this reason that the early
Christians, lest they should be stained by such great infamy deserved well of
the emperors and of the safety of the state even while persecution raged. This
they proved splendidly by their fidelity in performing perfectly and promptly
whatever they were commanded which was not opposed to their religion, and even
more by their constancy and the shedding of their blood in battle.
"Christian soldiers," says
19. These beautiful examples of the unchanging
subjection to the princes necessarily proceeded from the most holy precepts of
the Christian religion. They condemn the detestable insolence and improbity of
those who, consumed with the unbridled lust for freedom, are entirely devoted
to impairing and destroying all rights of dominion while bringing servitude to
the people under the slogan of liberty. Here surely belong the infamous and
wild plans of the Waldensians, the Beghards, the Wycliffites, and
other such sons of Belial, who were the sores and disgrace of the human race;
they often received a richly deserved anathema from the Holy See. For no other
reason do experienced deceivers devote their efforts, except so that they,
along with Luther, might joyfully deem themselves "free of all." To
attain this end more easily and quickly, they undertake with audacity any
infamous plan whatever.
20. Nor can We predict happier times for religion
and government from the plans of those who desire vehemently to separate the
Church from the state, and to break the mutual concord between temporal
authority and the priesthood. It is certain that that concord which always was
favorable and beneficial for the sacred and the civil order is feared by the
shameless lovers of liberty.
21. But for the other painful causes We are
concerned about, you should recall that certain societies and assemblages seem
to draw up a battle line together with the followers of every false religion
and cult. They feign piety for religion; but they are driven by a passion for
promoting novelties and sedition everywhere. They preach liberty of every sort;
they stir up disturbances in sacred and civil affairs, and pluck authority to
pieces.
22. We write these things to you with grieving
mind but trusting in Him who commands the winds and makes them still. Take up
the shield of faith and fight the battles of the Lord vigorously. You
especially must stand as a wall against every height which raises itself
against the knowledge of God. Unsheath the sword of
the spirit, which is the word of God, and may those who hunger after justice receive bread from you. Having been called so that
you might be diligent cultivators in the vineyard of the Lord, do this one
thing, and labor in it together, so that every root of bitterness may be
removed from your field, all seeds of vice destroyed, and a happy crop of
virtues may take root and grow. The first to be embraced with paternal affection
are those who apply themselves to the sacred sciences and to philosophical
studies. For them may you be exhorter and supporter, lest trusting only in
their own talents and strength, they may imprudently wander away from the path
of truth onto the road of the impious. Let them remember that God is the guide
to wisdom and the director of the wise.31 It is impossible to know
God without God who teaches men to know Himself by His word.32 It is
the proud, or rather foolish, men who examine the mysteries of faith which
surpass all understanding with the faculties of the human mind, and rely on
human reason which by the condition of man's nature, is weak and infirm.
23. May Our dear sons in Christ, the princes,
support these Our desires for the welfare of Church and State with their
resources and authority. May they understand that they received their authority
not only for the government of the world, but especially for the defense of the
Church. They should diligently consider that whatever
work they do for the welfare of the Church accrues to their rule and peace.
Indeed let them persuade themselves that they owe more to the cause of the
faith than to their kingdom. Let them consider it something very great for
themselves as We say with Pope St. Leo, "if in addition to their royal
diadem the crown of faith may be added." Placed as if they were parents
and teachers of the people, they will bring them true peace and tranquility, if
they take special care that religion and piety remain safe. God, after all,
calls Himself "King of kings and Lord of lords."
24. That all of this may come to pass
prosperously and happily, let Us raise Our eyes and hands to the most holy
Virgin Mary, who alone crushes all heresies, and is Our greatest reliance and
the whole reason for Our hope.33 May she implore by her patronage a
successful outcome for Our plans and actions. Let Us humbly ask of the Prince
of the Apostles, Peter and his co-apostle Paul that all of you may stand as a
wall lest a foundation be laid other than that which has already been laid.
Relying on this happy hope, We trust that the Author and Crown of Our faith
Jesus Christ will console Us in all these Our tribulations. We lovingly impart
the apostolic benediction to you, venerable brothers, and to the sheep committed
to your care as a sign of heavenly aid.
Given in
ENDNOTES
1. Lk 22:32.
2. 1 Cor 4:21.
3. Lk 22:53.
4. Is 24:5.
5. St. Celestine, Pope, epistle 21 to Bishop Galliar.
6. St. Agatho, Pope,
epistle to the emperor, apud Labb.,
ed. Mansi, vol. 2, p. 235.
7. St. Innocent, epistle 11 apud
Constat.
8. St. Cyprian, de unitate
eccles.
9. Council of
10.
11. From canon ap. 38 apud
Labb.,
ed Mansi, vol. 1, p. 38.
12. Council of
13. St. Cyprian, epistle 52, ed. Baluz.
14. St. Gelasius,
Pope, in epistle to the bishop of Lucaniae.
15. Heb 13:4.
16. Eph 4:5.
17. Lk 11:23.
18. Symbol .s. Athanasius.
19.
20.
21.
22. Ap 9:3.
23. Acts 19.
24. Acts of the Lateran Council 5, session 10,
where the constitution of Leo X is mentioned; the earlier constitution of
Alexander VI, Inter multiplices, ought to be read, in
which there are many things on this point.
25. Council of
26. Letter of Clement XIII, Christianae,
25 November 1766.
27. Rom 13:2.
28.
29. St. Euchenius apud Ruinart. Acts of the Holy
Martyrs concerning Saint Maurius and his companions,
n. 4.
30. Tertullian, in apologet., chap. 37.
31.
32. St. Irenaeus, bk.
14, chap. 10.
33. St. Bernard, serm
de nat. b.M.v., sect. 7.