Officio sanctissimo

Officio sanctissimo is an encyclical of Pope Leo XIII. , Which he sent on 22 December 1887 the Bavarian episcopate and in which he wrote " on the Church in Bavaria".

Church in Bavaria

He begins with the words: " Guided by the " sacred duty " ( sanctissimo Officio ) of the Apostolic office, I turn to the bishops in Bavaria," and refers to his encyclical ( Iampridem of 6 January 1886) and the situation of Catholicism in Prussia, this apprehension was not reached in the Kingdom of Bavaria.

Exhortation

Basically, exhorts and encourages ( exhortiert ) he the Bavarian clergy in his work and his work does not subside. The bishops come to a special position in relation to Church and State. In support, he adds a letter of his predecessor Pius IX. in which it praised the seriousness of faith and the defense of the Church in Bavaria.

The Office of Bishops

The Bishops govern the particular Churches assigned to them by counsel, exhortations and example, but also in authority and sacred power. This violence, which it carries on the name of Christ personally coming to them as their own, ordinary and immediate, although its exercise is ultimately regulated by the supreme ecclesiastical authority and be described in terms of the good of the Church or of the faithful with certain limits can. Virtue of this power the bishops have the right and duty to legislate for their subordinates to make judgments and to moderate everything pertaining to the ordering of worship and the apostolate. You is the constant daily care of their dioceses entrusted to the full extent. They are not to be construed as representative of the bishops of Rome, as they have acquired them an own violence and hot full truth head that they control the people. This statement was included in a later church document, compare this " second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church " Lumen Gentium " (21 November 1963) Note 95

The Formation of Priests

In order to strengthen the youngest members of the clergy in their duties, it is important to let them get a good education. The young priest should not feel left alone to stand against the "false philosophers " and "evil ".

Schools and church

He further describes the situation in the schools of Bavaria and calls for the preservation of the religious schools, but he issued the "mixed school" but also participating in " communal, teaching and events " a rejection, at the same time he warns against false teachers and professors. It is the paramount duty of the Church and the clergy to maintain the Catholic schools and to promote Christian education.

Freedom of action of the Church

He admits the church and the bishops that they would in the course of their work have a freedom of action that was for the good of the Church, but also for the good of society. This statement is also found in a recent Church document compliance, comparison, see: Declaration " Dignitatis Humanae ," Using the freedom of religion. The right of the person and the community on social and civil freedom in religious matters (7 December 1965) Note 32