Leo XIII, 1878-1903

mistrusted the Catholic Faith, which we are sorry to say has taken place more than once.

1887. Let all who are accustomed to express their opinions in writing, and especially writers for newspapers, bear this precept in mind. In this struggle over most important matters, there can be no place for internal controversies or for party rivalries; and all should strive to preserve religion and the state, which is the common purpose of all. If, therefore, there have been any dissensions before, they should be obliterated by a kind voluntary oblivion; if hitherto there have been rash and injurious actions, those who are in any way to blame for this should make amends with mutual charity, and a kind of special submission should be made on the part of all to the Apostolic See.

1888. In this way Catholics will obtain two very excellent results: one, that of establishing themselves as helpers of the Church in preserving and propagating Christian wisdom; the other, that of bestowing upon civil society the greatest blessing, the preservation of which is imperiled by evil doctrines, and passions.

Craniotomy and Abortion¹

[From the Response of the Holy Office to the Archbishop of Lyons, May 31st, 1899 (May 28th, 1884)]

1889. To the question: Whether it can be safely taught in Catholic schools that the surgical operation which is called craniotomy is licit, when, of course, if it does not take place, the mother and child will perish; while on the other hand if it does take place, the mother is to be saved, while the child perishes?"

The reply is: "It cannot be safely taught."

[From the reply of the Holy Office to the Archbishop of Cambrésis, August 19, 1889]

1890. The reply is similar with the following addition: ". . . and every surgical operation that directly kills the fetus or the pregnant mother."

[From the reply of the Holy Office to the Archbishop of Cambrésis, July 24, 25, 1895]²

1890a. When the doctor, Titius, was called to a pregnant woman who was seriously sick, he gradually realized that the cause of the deadly sickness was nothing else than pregnancy, that is, the presence of the fetus in the