XI Rome, January 8, 1887

Letter of His Eminence the Cardinal Prefect of the S. Congregation of Propaganda to H.E. the Archbishop of Florence.

A request has been presented to this Sacred Congregation by some Catholics of Italy asking approval for a National Association for the Diffusion of Catholic Schools in Asia, Africa, and America. The purpose of the association would be to spread the Catholic religion and with it the Italian language.

            The request was referred to the Holy Father and His Holiness sent it back for examination by the Eminent Fathers of this S. Congregation. In the general meeting held on the 20th of the past month, after due consideration of the proposal, the Cardinals could not fail to recognize the great danger implicit in approving in any manner, even under a disguised title, a society which is substantially similar to that of the Propagation of the Faith of Lyons and that of the Schools of the Middle East, in existence for many years in France. The Cardinals felt that especially at this time when Catholics of various countries are trying to separate themselves from the above mentioned societies, it is necessary to be firm, so that everybody remains united with them. In fact some years ago the establishment of a society similar to the one now proposed was attempted in France, that is a society for the Maronite schools of the Middle East and committees had already been formed. However, the Propaganda was opposed and absolutely forbade that such a plan be implemented. Similarly not too long ago, in a great empire, an attempt was made to set up a separate work for the missions. Indulgences were sought from the Holy See, but the Sacred Congregation made every effort to dissuade the bishops from going ahead. It has acted in the same way for similar societies that appeared in other places. The danger resulting from the dissolution of the above mentioned existing societies, which support the life of almost all the missions in the two hemispheres, is too great to venture in any way into concessions that would even indirectly contribute to their weakening. Therefore, the Sacred Congregation, to its regret, cannot grant the requested approval. And I say to its regret, because it is indeed painfully aware of the sad conditions to which the Italians in the colonies are reduced. It is fully aware of their moral and material needs.

            It sees them abandoned in many places, so that they lose not only their native language, but even the faith, and they remain victims of the non-Catholics and the nonbelievers. Those whose very serious obligation it should be to defend the interests and the precious moral values of their own countrymen do not lift a finger to help them. Hence the S. Congregation’s continuous efforts to come to their aid. These efforts do not fully reach their intended purpose because of the intolerable conditions to which the Holy See is reduced and the daily attacks to which it is exposed by its oppressors, who force it to avoid any occasion that could serve them as a pretext to publicize its cooperation with them.

            Therefore, while it thanks those gentlemen, and especially Prof. Augusto Conti and Prof. Ernesto Schiapparelli for their proposal, it feels that its hands are tied and that it cannot proceed to second and favor these designs.

            It hopes, however, that the faithful in Italy will not refuse because of this to contribute according to their ability to the work of the propagation of the faith and of the schools of the Middle East. As it has occurred so far, contributions on behalf of the Italian missions will increase in the future in proportion to the increase of donations that will come from Italy to those societies. You will be so kind as to call on those two gentlemen and read to them the present letter for their information.

Giovanni Cardinal Simeoni,

Prefect