Russia, is, from various causes, exposed to great dangers as
regards salvation. Without bishops, they have none to guide them in the
paths of righteousness, none to administer to them spiritual succour, or
to warn them against the insidious approaches of heresy and schism. The
Holy Father is confident that the Latin priests will bestow all their care
and employ every available resource in affording spiritual aid to these
"most dear children." "From our inmost soul," concludes the venerable
Pontiff, "we exhort, earnestly and lovingly in the Lord, and urge the
Ruthenians themselves to remain faithful and steadfast in the unity of the
Catholic Church, or, if they have been so unfortunate as to abandon it, to
return to the bosom of their most loving mother, to have recourse to us,
who, with God's assistance, will do whatever is best calculated to secure
their salvation."

As regards some of these highly important matters, the wishes of the Holy
Father were acceded to by the Russian Emperor. The bishop of Kherson was
allowed a second suffragan. It was also regulated that matrimonial and
other ecclesiastical causes, whether in Russia proper or in the kingdom of
Poland, should, on appeal from a sentence pronounced by the ordinary, be
heard before the tribunal of the metropolitan, or before the more
neighboring bishop, in case of judgment having been first given by the
metropolitan. Such causes, in the event of final appeal, should be
referred to Rome--to the tribunal of the Apostolic See.

In considering, at some length, the Concordat with Russia, and the more
favorable terms by which it was followed, we learn what hopes may be
entertained as regards the spiritual well-being of the more numerous
Catholics, Armenians and others, who will now, in all probability, come
under the sway of Russia.(2)

(M23) The Society of the Holy Ghost had labored successfully in France,
the Indies, Canada, China, Acadia, or Nova Scotia, the islands, Miquelon
and St. Peter. In the countries referred to, there were bishops, vicars
apostolic, of this society, and several missionary priests. In Cayenne and
French Guiana, they maintained an apostolic prefect and twenty
missionaries apostolic. The troubles of the French revolution all but
extinguished this zealous and influential missionary society. It was
revived in the year 1848, under the auspices of Pius IX., and resumed its
labors under the title of Society of the Holy Ghost and the Immaculate
H