Francis de Cárdenas to To the most eminent cardinals, the very reverend archbishops, the reverend bishops, and the capitular vicars, January 2, 1875

Circular of the minister of grace and justice to the clergy.—Dated January 2, 1875.

[From the “Gaceta de Madrid,” January 7, 1875.]

The regency-ministry being constituted, I have believed it my duty to give official information to your ——— of the fortunate occurrence to which it owes its origin. In the relations of the Catholic states with the church, that which is a prosperous event for the former cannot be other than a happy augury of success for the latter. If the church has suffered in common with the Spanish nation the countless ills of sterile political convulsions, with the advent to the throne of an illustrious prince, Catholic, like his pre-eminent ancestors, and resolved to repair of, in so far as may be possible, the injuries which have been caused, should lead us to hope for days of tranquillity and better fortune. The proclamation of our King, Don Alfonso XII, being the true end of those disturbances, shall, for the same reason, be the beginning of a new era, in which shall be seen the re-establishment of our good relations with the common Father of the faithful, which have been unfortunately interrupted by the unjust acts and the excesses of these latter times. All that can affect these reciprocal relations shall be forthwith carried out with the counsel of wise prelates and in accord with the Holy See, and the church and her ministers shall be given all the protection which is due to them in an eminently Catholic nation like ours. To this end the government counts upon the efficient co-operation of your———and of your worthy companions in the episcopate, upon the assistance of the high corporations of the state, and upon the aid of all good Catholics. I take pleasure in communicating to your———the happy news of this salutary change in our political situation, which permits us to hope for more favorable days for the nation and for an epoch of better fortune for the church.

May God guard your———many years.