Leo XIII
June 24, 1893
Ad Extremas Encyclical of Pope Leo
XIII on seminaries for native clergy
Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, on
the 24th day of June, in the year 1893, the sixteenth year of Our pontificate.
LEO XIII:
To Our Venerable Brothers, the Patriarchs,
Archbishops and Bishops and other Ordinaries in Peace and Communion with
the Holy See.
Venerable Brothers, Health and Apostolic
Benediction.
The Orient, courageously and successfully
explored by the Portugese, is coveted by many today for its lucrative trade.
We, however, have a more noble purpose in mind. We reflect upon those immense
regions of the Indies where for many centuries men of the Gospel have expended
their labor. Our thoughts turn first of all to the blessed Apostle Thomas
who is rightly called the founder of preaching the Gospel to the Hindus.
Then, there is Francis Xavier, who long afterwards dedicated himself zealously
to the same praiseworthy calling. Through his extraordinary perseverence,
he converted hundreds of thousands of Hindus from the myths and vile superstitions
of the Brahmans to the true religion. In the footsteps of this holy man
followed numerous priests, secular and religious, who with the authority
and permission of the Holy See strove untiringly to preserve and promote
the Christian mysteries and institutions introduced by Thomas and renewed
by Xavier. To this day, they are continuing these noble efforts; nevertheless,
in the vast reaches of the earth, many are still deprived of the truth,
miserably imprisoned in the darkness of superstition! How very great a
field, especially in the north, lies yet uncultivated to receive the seed
of the Gospel!
2. Pondering these needs, We place
our trust in Our Savior who alone knows the exact circumstance and time
to bestow his light; he is wont to direct the mind and hearts of men by
divine inspiration. But, assuredly, We ought to exert every possible effort
to convert such a great part of the world. We have been searching for possible
ways of better organizing and expanding Christianity in the East Indies,
we have decided upon certain measures to help achieve Our goal.
New Dioceses
3. First of all, to be sure, with
respect to the patronato of the Portuguese people in the East Indies, We
have concluded a formal pact with the most faithful king of Portugal and
Algerve. This agreement has removed the causes of dissensions, which had
disrupted Christians for so long a time. These communities have been under
obedience to apostolic vicars and prefects. We have decided to form them
into dioceses with their own bishops to be administered by ordinary right.
Therefore, by the apostolic letter, Humanae salutis, given on the first
of September, 1886, a new hierarchy has been instituted in those regions,
consisting of eight church provinces, namely, Goa as the patriarchal see,
Agra, Bombay, Verapoly, Calcutta, Madras, Pondichery and Colombo. Furthermore,
through the Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, We will do whatever
will be fruitful there for salvation and for the increase of faith and
piety.
Native Clergy
4. The preservation of the Christian
faith among the Hindus will be precarious and its propagation uncertain
as long as there is not a native clergy properly trained for priestly duties,
not only to be of assistance to foreign priests, but also to be in rightful
charge of the administration of the Christian Church in their cities. Tradition
tells us that Frances Xavier maintained this same opinion. They say that
he used to assert that the Christian cause in India could never have firm
roots without the continuing dedication of a pious and zealous clergy native
to India. It is clearly evident that he had a keen understanding of the
issue. Certainly the work of the missionaries coming from Europe is beset
with many obstacles. Most especially, indeed, is their unfamiliarity with
the vernacular, which is very difficult to learn. There is also the remoteness
of institutions and customs which remain unfamiliar even after a long period
of time. Hence, the European clergy is forced to live there as in a strange
land. Since a foreign clergy, therefore, has difficulty in winning the
hearts of the people, it is plain that the work of a native clergy would
be far more fruitful. From experience, they know the nature and customs
of their people; they know when to speak and when to keep silent. In fine,
they live among Hindus as Hindus without causing any suspicion and it is,
indeed, difficult to say how important this is especially in times of crisis.
5. Then, again, it is necessary
to realize that the number of missionaries abroad is far from adequate
to serve the existing Christian communities. This deficiency is plainly
evident from the mission statistics. The missionaries in India keep on
imploring the Sacred Congregation for more preachers of the Gospel. Now,
if there are not enough foreign priests to care for souls, what will happen
in the future when the number of Christians will have multiplied? Nor,
indeed, is there any reason to hope that the number of missionaries will
increase proportionately. Consequently, if we want to be concerned for
the salvation of India and the establishment of Christianity in that immense
region on a firm foundation, we will have to select candidates from the
native people, who after careful training will assume priestly functions
and duties.
6. Thirdly, we must not overlook
an eventuality, even though at the present time it is improbable. Such
critical conditions could arise in Europe or Asia that would compel foreign
priests to leave the Indies. In that event, how could religion survive
without a native clergy: with no one to administer the sacraments, no one
to teach the law of God? The history of the Chinese, Japanese, and Ethiopians
speaks clearly enough about this hazard. More than once, the Christians
in Japan and China had to suffer from hatred and calamity. The hostile
people in power exiled and executed alien priests, but spared the native.
Because they were completely familiar with the language and customs of
their native land and were sustained by friends and relatives, they were
allowed not only to remain unharmed in their country, but also to administer
the sacraments freely, and perform pastoral duties in all the provinces.
On the contrary, the Ethiopia, where Christians already numbered 200,000,
a sudden storm of persecution completely destroyed the fruits of long labor
because there was no native clergy when the European missionaries were
killed or expelled.
7. Finally, there must be respect
for antiquity; whatever we see advantageously established in times past
must be religiously preserved. Now, it was the practice of the Apostles
first to instruct the multitude in Christian precepts, then to select several
from the people and initiate them into the sacred mysteries and even elevate
them to the episcopacy. This example was followed afterwards by the Roman
pontiffs. Their custom has always been to direct missionaries to exert
every means to select a native clergy wherever the Christian community
grew sufficiently large. To take care, therefore, of the preservation and
propagation of the Catholic religion among the Hindus, a Hindu clergy has
to be formed that could administer the sacraments and govern the Christian
people properly, no matter how menacing the times.
Seminaries
8. For that reason, the prefects
of the Congregation of the Indies, with the advice and approval of the
Holy See, have founded seminaries for priests wherever possible. The Synods,
moreover, of Colombo, Bangalore and Allahabad, held at the beginning of
1887, have decreed that every diocese should have its own seminary for
the training of a native clergy; if any of the suffragan bishops do not
have the financial means to do so, they are to have their seminarians trained
in the metropolitan seminary at their own expense. The bishops are making
every effort to implement these beneficial decrees, but their most admirable
willingness is hindered by lack of funds and by the want of qualified priests
to supervise instruction and direct discipline judiciously. Hence, there
are hardly any seminaries where candidates are able to complete a prescribed
course of studies-and this is at a time when the civil government and Protestants,
in large numbers, are sparing no expense nor effort to offer young men
a judicious and refined education.
9. It is evident, therefore, how
opportune it is and how consistent with the public good to erect in the
East Indies some seminaries where the native youth, the hope of the Church,
are educated in all the refinements of doctrine and also in those virtues
essential for the pious and wholesome exercise of sacred functions. As
the reasons for dissensions have been removed by the pact agreed upon,
and as the diocesan administration had been erected by the hierarchy of
the Church, we would seem to have attained our goals if we could provide
a sound basis for the training of the clergy. For, as We have said, once
seminaries for the clergy have been founded, qualified priests in great
numbers would come forth, and in spreading the truth of the Gospel, would
skilfully utilize the important resources of their studies.
Financial Contributions
fitting that Europeans make some
financial contribution, especially because We alone are not able to manage
the vast cost of such an enterprise. It is the mark of Christians to cherish
all mankind as brothers wherever they are, and to exclude no one from their
love, particularly in matters upon which the eternal salvation of their
neighbour depends. We, therefore, earnestly request that you will fully
support our undertaking. Be sure that the role of Christianity in such
remote regions becomes well known. Make your people understand that something
must be done for the Hindus. May they who believe that works of mercy are
the most perfect investment especially realize this need.
11. We are convinced that we have
not appealed in vain to the generosity of your people. If the contributions
should exceed the expenditures for the seminaries which we have mentioned
above, we shall take care that the remaining funds will be used beneficially
and conscientiously on other projects.
12. In token of heavenly favors,
and as a witness of Our good will, most lovingly in the Lord, We bestow
upon you, venerable brothers, upon your clergy and your people the Apostolic
Blessing.
