ON THE CLERGY IN ITALY

PIENI L'ANIMO

Encyclical of Pope Pius X promulgated on July 28, 1906.

To the Venerable Brethren, the Archbishops, and Bishops of Italy.

Venerable Brethren, Health and the Apostolic Blessing.

Our soul is fearful of the strict rendering that We shall one day be called 
upon to make to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Pastors, concerning the flock 
He entrusted to Our care. We pass each day with great solicitude in 
preserving as much as possible the faithful from the dangerous evils that 
afflict society at the present time. Therefore, We consider addressed to Us 
the words of the Prophet: "Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a 
trumpet."[1] Accordingly, sometimes by speech and sometimes by letter We 
constantly warn, beseech, and censure, arousing, above all, the zeal of Our 
Brethren in the Episcopate so that each one of them will exercise the most 
solicitous vigilance in that portion of the flock over which the Holy 
Spirit has placed him.

2. The cause which now moves Us to raise Our voice is of very serious 
importance. It demands all the attention of your mind and all
the energy of your pastoral office to counteract the disorder which has 
already produced the most destructive effects. If this disorder is not 
radically removed with a firm hand, even more fatal consequences will be 
felt in the coming years. In fact, Venerable Brethren, We have letters, 
full of sadness and tears, from several of you, in which you deplore the 
spirit of insubordination and independence displayed here and there among 
the clergy. Most assuredly, a poisonous atmosphere corrupts men's minds to 
a great extent today, and the deadly effects are those which the Apostolic 
Saint Jude formerly described: "These men also defile the flesh, disregard 
authority, deride majesty."[2] That is to say, over and above the most 
degrading corruption of manners there is also an open contempt for 
authority and for those who exercise it. What overwhelms Us with grief, 
however, is the fact that this spirit should creep into the sanctuary even 
in the least degree, infecting those to whom the words of Ecclesiasticus 
should most fittingly be applied: "Their generation, obedience and love."[3] 
This unfortunate spirit is doing the damage especially among young priests, 
spreading among them new and reprehensible theories concerning the very 
nature of obedience. In order to recruit new members for this growing troop 
of rebels, what is even more serious is the fact that such maxims are being 
more or less secretly propagated among youths preparing for the priesthood 
within the enclosure of the seminaries.

3. We therefore consider it Our duty, Venerable Brethren, to appeal to your 
conscience to see that you do not spare any effort and with a firm hand and 
constant resolve you do not hesitate to destroy this evil seed which 
carries with it such destructive consequences. Never forget that the Holy 
Spirit has placed you to rule. Remember Saint Paul's command to Titus: 
"Rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise thee."[4] Be firm in demanding 
that obedience from your priests and clerics which is a matter of absolute 
obligation for all the faithful, and constitutes the most important part of 
the sacred duty of priests.

4. Take the proper means necessary for the diminution of these quarrelsome 
souls. Bear well in mind, Venerable Brethren, the Apostle's warning to 
Timothy: "Do not lay hands hastily upon anyone."[5] In fact, haste in 
admitting men to Sacred Orders naturally opens the way to a multiplication 
of people in the sanctuary who do not increase joy. We know that there are 
cities and dioceses where, far from there being any reason to lament the 
dearth of clergy, the clergy greatly exceed the needs of the faithful. 
Venerable Brethren, what reason is there for imposing hands so frequently? 
In those places where the lack of clergy is no sufficient reason for haste 
in so important a matter and the clergy are more numerous than the 
requirements demand, nothing excuses from the most delicate caution and the 
greatest exactitude in selecting those who are to receive the sacerdotal 
honor. The eagerness of the aspirants is no excuse for haste. The 
priesthood that Jesus Christ instituted for the salvation of souls is by no 
means a human profession or office which anyone desiring it for any reason 
can say he has a right to receive. Therefore, let the Bishops call young 
men to sacred orders, not according to the desires or pretexts of the 
aspirants, but, as the Council of Trent prescribes, according to the needs 
of the dioceses. In this task they can select only those who are really 
suitable and dismiss those who have inclinations contrary to the priestly 
vocation. The most dangerous of these inclinations are a disregard for 
discipline and that pride of mind which fosters it.

5. In order that young men who display qualities suitable for the sacred 
ministry may not be lacking, Venerable Brethren, We wish to insist most 
earnestly on what We have already frequently pointed out. That is to say, 
you have a very serious obligation before God of guarding and fostering 
most solicitously the proper conduct of the seminaries. Your priests will 
be as you have trained them. The letter of December 8, 1902, which Our most 
prudent Predecessor addressed to you as a testament from his long 
Pontificate is very important.[6] We desire to add nothing new to it; We 
shall merely remind you of the rules it lays down. We especially recommend 
the immediate execution of Our orders, published through the Sacred 
Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, on the concentration of the 
seminaries especially for the study of philosophy and theology. In this way 
the great advantage resulting from the separation of the major and minor 
seminaries and the no less great advantage of the necessary instruction of 
the clergy will be secured.

6. Let the seminaries be jealously guarded in order that a proper 
atmosphere will be maintained. Let them always be destined exclusively for 
preparing youths, not for civil careers, but for the noble vocation of 
being ministers of Christ. Let philosophy, theology, and the related 
sciences, especially Sacred Scripture, be studied along the lines of 
pontifical directives: according to the teaching of Saint Thomas which Our 
venerable Predecessor so often recommended, and We Ourselves recommended in 
the Apostolic Letter of January 23, 1904.[7] Therefore, let the Bishops 
exercise the most prudent vigilance towards the professors' teachings. Let 
them recall those who run after certain dangerous novelties to their sense 
of duty. If they do not profit from these warnings, let them be removed--
cost what it may--from their teaching position. Young clerics are forbidden 
to frequent the universities unless the Bishops think there are very good 
reasons and necessary precautions have been taken. Seminarians are 
absolutely forbidden to take part in external activities. Accordingly. We 
forbid them to read newspapers and periodicals, excepting, in the case of 
the latter, those with solid principles and which the Bishop deems suitable 
for their study. Let discipline continue to be fostered with renewed vigor 
and vigilance. Finally, in every seminary there must be a spiritual 
director. He is to be a man of extraordinary prudence and experienced in 
the ways of Christian perfection. With untiring zeal he must train the 
young men in solid piety, the primary foundation of the spiritual life. 
Venerable Brethren, if these rules are conscientiously and religiously 
followed they will be your sure guarantee of seeing a clergy growing up 
around you which will be your joy and your crown.

7. If these instructions are not observed, the problem of insubordination 
and independence which We now lament will be even more aggravated by some 
of the younger clergy and cause even more harm. This is especially so since 
those who are subject to this reprobate spirit are not lacking, and, 
abusing the sacred office of preaching, they are its outspoken promoters 
and apostles, to the detriment and scandal of the faithful.

8. On July 31, 1894, Our Predecessor, through the Sacred Congregation of 
Bishops and Regulars, called the Bishops' attention to this very serious 
problem.[8] The regulations and norms set up in that Pontifical document We 
now affirm and renew, commanding the Bishops to form their conscience 
according to it, lest the words of the Prophet Nahum might be applied to 
any of them: "Thy shepherds have slumbered."[9] No one can have the faculty 
of preaching "unless he first be approved of in life, knowledge and 
morals."[10] Priests of other dioceses should not be allowed to preach unless 
they have testimonial letters from their own Bishop. Let the subject of 
their sermons be that which the Divine Savior indicated when He said: 
"Preach the gospel[11] . . . teaching them to observe all that I commanded 
you."[12] Or, according to the Council of Trent, "announcing to them the 
vices they should avoid and the virtues they should follow in order to 
escape eternal punishment and attain heavenly glory."[13] Therefore, let 
those arguments better suited to journalistic campaigns and lecture halls 
be completely banished from the holy place. Let moral preaching be 
preferred to sermons which are, to say the least, fruitless. Let the 
preacher speak "not in the persuasive words of wisdom, but in the 
demonstration of the Spirit and of power."[14] The principal source, 
therefore, from which preaching will derive its strength will be the Sacred 
Scriptures, understood not according to the private judgment of minds very 
frequently blinded by passions, but according to the traditions of the 
Church and the interpretations of the holy Fathers and Councils.

9. According to these rules, Venerable Brethren, you should judge those to 
whom you will entrust the ministry of the divine word. Whenever you find 
any of them departing from these rules, being more concerned with their own 
interests than those of Jesus Christ and more anxious for worldly applause 
than the welfare of souls, warn and correct them. If that proves 
insufficient, be firm in removing them from an office for which they have 
proven themselves unworthy. You should be especially diligent in employing 
this vigilance and severity since the ministry of preaching belongs in a 
special way to you, and is one of the chief functions of the Episcopal 
Office. Whoever outside your rank preaches, he does so only in your name 
and in your place. It follows, therefore, that you are always responsible 
before God for the way in which the bread of the divine word is distributed 
to the faithful. In order to remove all responsibility from Our shoulders, 
We notice and command all Ordinaries to discontinue or suspend, after 
charitable warnings, any preacher, be he secular or regular, and even if it 
be during a course of sermons, who does not completely obey the regulations 
laid down in the above-mentioned Instruction of the Congregation of Bishops 
and Regulars. Better by far would it be if the faithful were satisfied with 
the simple homilies and explanations of the Catechism their parish priests 
offer them than to attend sermons that do more harm than good.

10. Another field where the junior clergy find a wide scope and great 
stimulus for maintaining and advocating exemption from every bond of 
legitimate authority is the so-called Popular Christian Action. This 
action, Venerable Brethren, is not in itself reprehensible, nor by its 
nature does it lead to contempt of authority. Many, however, 
misunderstanding its nature, have voluntarily abandoned the rules laid down 
for its promotion by Our Predecessor of immortal memory.

11. You are aware that We are referring to the Instruction on Popular 
Christian Action which, by command of Leo XIII, the Sacred Congregation of 
Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs issued on January 27, 1902, and which 
was sent to each one of you to carry out in your dioceses.[15] For Our part, 
We maintain and, with the fullness of Our power, We renew these 
instructions with each and every one of their regulations. Similarly We 
confirm and renew all the orders We issued in the motu proprio of December 
18, 1903, on Popular Christian Action[16] along with the Circular Letter 
dated July 28, 1904, of Our beloved son, the Cardinal Secretary of State.[17]

12. Concerning the founding and directing of newspapers and periodicals, 
the clergy must faithfully follow Article 42 of the Apostolic Constitution 
"Officiorum," namely, "Clerics are forbidden to direct newspapers or 
periodicals without the previous consent of the Ordinaries."[18] Similarly, 
without the previous consent of the Ordinary, no cleric can publish any 
kind of writing, be it concerned with a religious, moral, or merely 
technical subject. Before the founding of circles and societies their rules 
and constitutions must be examined and approved by the Ordinary. No priest 
or cleric can lecture on Popular Christian Action or any other subject 
without the permission of the Ordinary of the place. Language which might 
inspire aversion for the higher classes is, and can only be regarded as, 
altogether contrary to the true spirit of Christian charity. Likewise, all 
terms smacking of an unhealthy novelty in Catholic publications are 
condemnable, such as those deriding the piety of the faithful, or pointing 
out a new orientation of the Christian life, new directions of the Church, 
new aspirations of the modern soul, a new social vocation of the clergy, or 
a new Christian civilization.

13. While it is a very praiseworthy thing for the clergy, and especially 
the younger clergy, to go to the people, nevertheless, they must proceed in 
this matter with due obedience to authority and the commands of their 
ecclesiastical superiors. In devoting themselves according to this 
submission to the cause of Popular Christian Action, their noble duty must 
be "to rescue the children of the people from ignorance of spiritual and 
eternal things, encouraging them by their kindness to live honestly and 
virtuously; to strengthen adults in the faith, fortifying them in the 
practice of the Christian life by removing all contrary influences; to 
foster among the Catholic laity those institutions which are really 
instrumental in improving the moral and material welfare of the masses; and 
above all, to defend the principles of evangelical justice and charity, 
applying equally to everyone the rights and duties of civil society. . . 
Let them, moreover, be ever mindful that even among the people the priest 
should inviolately preserve his novel character as a minister of God, being 
placed at the head of his brethren for their salvation.[19] In devoting 
himself to the people should he do anything contrary to the dignity of the 
priesthood or ecclesiastical duties or discipline, he must be rebuked."[20]

14. Moreover, Venerable Brethren, in order to erect an effective bulwark 
against this extravagance of thought and extension of the spirit of 
independence, by Our authority, We absolutely forbid all clerics and 
priests to give their names in the future to any society that does not have 
Episcopal approbation. In a very special manner, under penalty of exclusion 
from Sacred Orders for clerics and suspension "ipso facto a divinis" for 
priests, We forbid them to become members of the National Democratic 
League, whose program was issued from Roma-Torrette on October 20, 1905. 
Its statutes were published the same year by the Provisional Committee of 
Bologna without the name of their author.

15. Being concerned about the present state of the Italian clergy and the 
importance of the subject, the solicitude of Our Apostolic Office demanded 
Us to issue these directives. We must now once again arouse your zeal, 
Venerable Brethren, in order that these arrangements and regulations will 
be quickly and fully carried out in your dioceses. Prevent the evil where 
fortunately it has not yet appeared. Suppress it immediately where it is 
beginning to spring up. Wipe it out with a firm and resolute hand where 
unfortunately it has already ripened. Making this a matter of conscience 
for you, We pray that God will fill you with the spirit of prudence and 
necessary firmness. For that reason, from the bottom of Our heart, We 
impart to you the Apostolic Blessing.

Given at Saint Peter's, Rome, on July 28, 1906, the third year of Our 
Pontificate.

ENDNOTES

1. Is. 58: 1.

2. Jude 8.

3. Ecclus. 3:1.

4. Titus 2:15.

5. I Tim. 5:22.

6. Cf. ASS, 35:257 ff.

7. Cf. ASS, 36:467 ff.

8. Cf. ASS, 27:162 ff.

9. Nahum 3:18. 

10. Council of Trent, Sess. V, c. 2, "De Reform." 

11. Mark 16:15. 

12. Matt. 28:20. 

13. Loc. cit. 

14. I Cor. 2:4. 

15. Cf. ASS, 34:401 ff. 

16. Cf. ASS, 36:339 ff. 

17. Cf. ASS, 37:19 ff. 

18. January 25, 1897. Cf. ASS, 30:39 ff. 

19. St. Gregory the Great, Pastoral Care, 2:7. 

20. Encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII, "Fin dal principio," December 8, 
1902. Cf. ASS, 35:257 ff.