Page:The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.djvu/334



328 CATHOLICITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

And they did this, not by an adventitious but an inherent right. For "the Roman Pontiff, upon whom Christ has conferred ordinary and immediate jurisdiction, as well over all and singular churches, as over all and singular pastors and faithful,^ since he cannot personally visit the different regions and thus exercise the pastoral office over the flock entrusted to him, finds it necessary, from time to time, in the discharge of the ministry im- posed on him, to despatch legates into different parts of the world, according as the need arises; who, supplying his place, may correct errors, make the rough ways plain, and administer to the people confided to their care increased means of salvation." ^

But how unjust and baseless would be the suspicion, should it anywhere exist, that the powers conferred on the legate are an obstacle to the authority of the bishops I Sacred to Us (more than to any other) are the rights of those whom the Holy Ghost has placed as bishops to rule the Church of God. That these rights should re- main intact in every nation in every part of the globe. We both desire and ought to desire, the more so since the dignity of the individual bishop is by nature so inter- woven with the dignity of the Roman Pontiff that any measure which benefits the one necessarily protects the other. "My honor is the honor of the Universal Church. My honor is the unimpaired vigor of My brethren. Then am I truly honored when to each one due honor is not denied." ^ Therefore, since it is the office and function of an apostolic legate, with whatsoever powers he may be vested, to execute the mandates and interpret the will of the Pontiff who sends him, thus, so far from his being of any detriment to the ordinary power of the bishops, he will rather bring an accession of stability and strength.

1 Con. Vat. Sess., iv. c. 3.

^ Cap. Un. Extra V. Comm. De Consuet, 1. 1.

^ S. Gregorius Epis. ad Eulog. Alex. lib. viii. ep. 30.