In
1895, Pope Leo XIII wrote an encyclical addressed to the Bishops of the United
States, Longinqua
(On Catholicism in the United States) and in 1899 addressed Cardinal James
Gibbons Archbishop of Baltimore in a letter entitled Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae (Concerning
New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to Americanism)
Both writings review the state of
affairs of the Catholic Church in late 19th century America, and the
latter addressed certain errors that were developing in the Catholic Church in
the United States at that time.
On June 27, 2019, members of
the Traditional Knights Latin Mass Network, approved a resolution endorsing and
affirming support for both Longinqua
and Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae.
A RESOLUTION ON CATHOLICISM IN THE
UNITED STATES AND ON AMERICANISM (PDF link), as
approved on June 2019
It also resolved the following:
- To affirm and endorse the teachings and exhortations contained in Longinqua and Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae
- To endorse and practice these teachings contained in the above writings and encourage all Knights to implement these in all activities
- To promote not only the corporal works of mercy, but the spiritual works of mercy in the parishes through specific activities and devotions
Additional Resources
Papal
Encyclical: Longinqua
– On Catholicism in the United States, by Pope Leo XIII, January 6, 1895
Letter
to the U.S. Bishops: Testem Benevolentiae
Nostrae - Concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to
Americanism, by Pope Leo XIII, January 22, 1899 (The Heresey of
Americanism)
Americanism: Then and
Now, by Russell Shaw, Former Director of Public Information of the Knights
of Columbus, Catholic World Report,
May 1995 (Provides detailed background surrounding the hersey of Americanism as
outlined in Testeum Benevolentiae Nostrae)
