Graves ac diuturnae

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Graves ac diuturnae is an encyclical written by Pope Pius IX. With this circular to the clergy in Switzerland and to the population of Switzerland of March 23, 1875, he writes “about the Church in Switzerland”. The Pope condemns the Old Catholics (in Switzerland: Christian Catholics ) and the anti-Catholic marriage laws and exhorts the clergy to obey faithfully.

introduction

In his introductory remarks he states that the new heretics , who would call themselves Old Catholics, tried to deceive the believers and tried to drive them out of the country. These heretics would be favored by the authorities to expand their vicious sect in the Basel area, and they used religious freedom to support schismatic laws.

Fraudulent Features

Pius IX describes the new rules created by the Old Catholics. as lies and deceptions, he condemns the rebellion of the heretical priests and underlined this with the statement that it has always been a special characteristic of the heretics and apostates to act through lies and deceit. It is also a fact that they refuse not to recognize the supreme divine privilege of the representative of Jesus Christ on earth.

Condemnation

Pope Pius IX criticizes the fact that some of these heretics are already teaching holy theology at the University of Bern , that they violate the doctrine of the faith and rebel against the definitions of the Ecumenical Vatican Council (1870). He had already announced this in his letter of 1873 and pronounced excommunications . For these reasons Pius IX warned. before any dealings with the apostates and forbade all business relationships and meetings.

Marriage laws

He deals with the new marriage laws, described by the Pope as "anti-Catholic" as follows: These laws go deeply against the authority and jurisdiction of the Church . As he has already mentioned in several letters and allocations , he emphasizes again that the sacrament of marriage , which is in accordance with canon law , as a Holy Power. This judgment of holiness and the power of marriage would prevent human society from falling apart.

Obedience and prayer

He finally turned to the devout Christians in Switzerland to warn them of the consequences of the decline. He exhorted the believers to preserve the old religion they had received from their ancestors. He urged Catholics to be faithful and obedient to their pastors, legitimized by the Apostolic See . Finally, the Pope asks for God's blessing and asks everyone to pray together within the month of May for solidarity.

literature

  • Rudolf Fischer-Wollpert: Do you know ? (Old Catholic), Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg, 3rd edition 1982, ISBN 3-7917-0738-8

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