TWENTY-EIGHTH DOCUMENT

SOLEMN CANONISATION OF SAINT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS,
DISCOVERER OF AMERICA.

DOGMATIC DECLARATION ON THE TEMPORAL POWER, AND OTHER DECLARATIONS.

We, Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of El Palmar de Troya.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, solemnly declare and proclaim the elevation to the glory of the altars, through most solemn Beatification and Canonisation, of the eminent and venerable servant of God, Christopher Columbus, discoverer of America.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, assisted by the most Powerful light of the Holy Ghost, gathering the sense of most chosen and eminently holy members of the Church, after a profound historical study of the glorious life of the exalted admiral Saint Christopher Columbus, assure and guarantee, with our word as pledge, his life of sanctity and heroic virtue.

We, as teacher and Universal Guide of the church, have dedicated Our own life to the enterprise of discovering those illustrious members of the Mystical Body, in order to multiply our praises of God in his great servants.

With unspeakable joy, we present today the lofty figure of Saint Christopher Columbus.  Thus we desire to increase and enliven holy desires to attain for the Church of God, through the mirror that reflects the holy life of this model, exalted and splendid saints for the future.

We, as Vicar of Christ on earth, will devote our faculties and abilities fighting valiantly against the calumnies and lies hurled at these noble figures.

We direct our words to you, beloved children:  We have carefully and in detail examined certain writings among the many on the life of Saint Christopher Columbus.  We have found innumerable calumnies against this exalted saint,- calumnies invented by his many envious detractors.  We see with complete clarity, amidst the trash that they wrote, in what prodigious manner there appear between the lines the exalted virtues of Saint Christopher Columbus.  They invented every kind of calumny and lie to discredit the invincible faith of this glorious saint.  It is no surprise that they have invented stories and framed lies about Saint Christopher Columbus,- since many saints have received the same treatment.

Beloved children:  consider the calumnies and meditate over the lies, insults and outrages against Our Lord Jesus Christ.  The envious who in the presence of Pontius Pilate hurled every kind of lie against Jesus.  These liars and detractors were supported by high dignitaries of Israel, including priests, the High Priests, and the Sanhedrin itself.  The tyrant Herod, thinking his kingdom was threatened, acted with all rigour against Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings.  The unjust judge, Pontius Pilate, fearing that Caesar would remove him, decreed the death sentence, knowing that Jesus was innocent.  The high priests Caiphas and Annas represented the authority of God.  They knew Sacred Scripture perfectly, and the promised Messias.  But they rejected Him when He stood in their presence.  After Jesus’ confession as Son of the Living God, the high priest rent his garments, with the few words:  “He has blasphemed.  We need no more proof.  He is guilty of death.”  The high priest Annas had a vicious servant who, to gain his master’s favour, dared to lay his vile hand on the Sweet Face of Jesus.

Beloved children, do not forget that on Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph.  The whole city wished to proclaim Him king.  Everyone cried “Hosannah!” and a few days later, the same multitude cried:  “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”  The official church of that day, represented by the Synagogue, made friends with the Romans, who were usurpers and invaders, and thus they condemned Christ:  the church, the authorities, and the people in general, with the exception of a small number that favoured the Nazarene.  With this infamous judgment, they set the cross on the shoulders of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who went up to Calvary, amidst the insults and outrages of the mob, while his own disciples abandoned Him.  The Crucified of Calvary appeared as a failure, but the apparent failure was reversed when the glorious resurrection of Christ took place.  In spite of the Resurrection, the enemies of Christ remained against Him.  At each moment they sought false witnesses against Him, even saying that while the soldiers slept, the disciples stole the body,- anything to deny the Resurrection.  This fable about the sleeping guards collapses entirely, since a person who is asleep cannot be a witness of anything.  The soldiers were present at the Resurrection, were taken by surprise, and were left dazzled,- and still they said they were asleep.

We desire you to meditate deeply on these things.  You will observe how those who experienced such prodigies, miracles and graces, do not appear in defence of Jesus when he is being judged.  Thus they treated the Redeemer of the world without pity.  They treated the Divine Master vilely,- and the disciples cannot be treated better than their Master.

We recognize with perfect clarity the heroic sanctity of Saint Christopher Columbus, man of deep faith and piety, desiring to extend the reign of Christ, feeling in his soul the fire that moved him to undertake the valiant and noble work of discovery.  Saint Christopher Columbus was impelled towards unknown lands, where he would find abundant gold and precious pearls, a treasure with which to reclaim the Holy Land from heretics, to put it in the hands of their Catholic Majesties of Spain, Saint Isabel I the Catholic and Ferdinand V the Catholic.  At that glorious time, these monarchs were the most powerful in the world.  Saint Christopher Columbus desired to use the treasures of those unknown lands in order to enrich the Holy Catholic Church, to assist the Vicar of Christ, to undertake Crusades in defence of the faith.  Of course he asked for honours for himself, a certain percentage of the treasures,- all quite logically, to assure himself the means to continue his glorious enterprises.  Saint Bartoleme de las Casas has left us a precious portrait of Saint Christopher Columbus, as a pious and virtuous man, who heard Mass each day, communicated frequently, and recited daily the canonical hours and the Rosary.  He belonged to the Franciscan tertiaries and loved the Franciscan habit.  Saint Bartolome de las Casas writes:  “He hated blasphemy, was very devout towards the Virgin Mary, towards Saint Ferdinand, king, Conqueror of Seville, invoking him constantly.  He was a man of strong character, capable of great accomplishments, and was both authoritative and gentle.”

We, as Master and Universal Guide of the Church, accept as manifest truth the description of Saint Bartolome de las Casas, great and intimate friend of Saint Christopher Columbus.  It would be rash to depreciate the description that a saint gives of another saint, since without doubt, the saints are most qualified to speak of sanctity.

We consider very important the singular protection Saint Christopher Columbus received from Saint Isabel the Catholic, another confirmation of how the saints encourage other saints.  Another distinguished Saint, the great Cardinal, Regent of Spain, Saint Francisco Jimenez de Cisneros, was a great defender of Saint Christopher Columbus.  We recall also Francisco of Rabida, Father Marchena, who helped greatly in the enterprise of the discovery of America; likewise the illustrious confessor of the holy Queen.  These saintly and distinguished personages testify to the sanctity of the admiral and discoverer.  Before the weight of this testimony, the lies and calumnies fall to the ground.

We know by revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that the great admiral and discoverer of America, Saint Christopher Columbus, was born in the Marian city of Seville,- against all opinions of his having been born in other places, especially Genoa, where he certainly did not announce his discovery,- there being nothing more illogical than to neglect to announce a great undertaking to one’s own compatriots.  In all his letters, both before and after the discovery, Christopher Columbus writes in Castilian, and never in Italian.  At the same time, if he is writing in Latin, the mistakes he makes are those of a Spaniard, not of an Italian.  His confessor, Father Goricio, was Italian, and all their correspondence is in Castilian.  During his 14 years residence in Portugal, he always wrote his letters in Castilian.  The weight of these facts destroys the suggestion that he might have been born in Genoa.  The 3^rd August, 1492, he sailed from Palos, in the province of Huelva, to make the discovery on the 12^th October, Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar.  He made 3 more voyages.  In the third, he was brought in chains to Spain, treated as a criminal.  After this outrage, their Catholic Majesties helped him to make his 4^th and last voyage.  He died in Valladolid, strengthened with Sacraments of the Church, 20^th May 1506, after a life of 70 years.  After this long life of outrage and suffering, piety and holiness, he committed his soul to God, leaving the problems of the lands to men, and undertaking the business of eternal glory.  His mortal remains await the resurrection in a great mausoleum in the Cathedral of Seville.  Providence has committed his relics to the city of his birth.  In Seville he found his greatest enemies, those who most defamed him, proving again that “no one is prophet in his own land.”  Seville was ingrate and cruel towards the saint who enriched her, making her the capital of two worlds,- while he himself was repaid with calumny.  Thus the peoples treat their best sons.  Jesus was treated worse by his people.

We wish to indicate the following to the faithful.  In the life of Saint Christopher Columbus there were also defects, imperfections, errors and weaknesses.  No doubt the calumnies he suffered helped to purify his weaknesses,- since the Lord leads souls to Heaven after purifying them on earth or in Purgatory, either before or later, since entrance into Heaven requires complete purity from every stain, perfect crystalline purity.  Blessed are those that suffer persecution unjustly, since by this God purifies as by fire, in order later to give the imperishable crown of glory.

We desire to recall the great benefits Christendom has received from the discovery of America, since the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ was preached there, where the light of Redemption had not previously penetrated.  We also desire to remind all Spaniards to have deep veneration for Saint Christopher Columbus, since his discovery enriched Catholicism and brought Spain the most vast Empire,- which Empire, in the eyes of God, still belongs to Spain, since Our predecessor Pope Alexander VI, by the Bull “Inter Cetera” of 4^th May 1493, entrusted to the Spanish Crown the American continent with its islands, from Pole to Pole, and to their successors in perpetuity.  In those glorious centuries all Christendom respected the Temporal Power of the Popes and acknowledged that all lands belonged to the Popes, who had the power in Christ’s name to distribute the lands among the nations.  The same Pope, Alexander VI, gave Portugal all the lands she had discovered and conquered for Christ.  Likewise, other popes committed other lands to the nations who evangelized.  Through this Bull “Inter Cetera” of Pope Alexander VI, the American continent still belongs to Spain, the Mother Country.  Until now, no Pope has abolished the Bull “Inter Cetera,” which means logically that the so-called liberation of America is a Masonic and satanic work, an emancipation contrary to divine right.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, teach that the Pope, by Divine Law, also exercises the Temporal Power.  We teach that the Pope has not received the Temporal Power either from the Emperor Constantine or from the Emperor Charlemagne.  These two Emperors only gave external form to what already exists by Divine Law.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, teach that the Pope receives together the Spiritual Power and the Temporal Power, inasmuch as he is the Sweet Christ on earth.

We, as Master and Universal Guide of the Church, teach that Our Lord Jesus Christ is the High and Eternal Priest, as well as the King of the Universe.  Therefore the Pope, as representative of Christ, exercises the two powers by Divine Law, since he represents only one person, governs the world in the name of Christ, in the spiritual as in the temporal.  Christ is the true Lord of all lands, all islands, all seas and rivers, all plains and mountains, and so forth.  From this certain and true doctrine is understood that the Pope is Lord of all lands.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, teach that the Pope has supreme power to distribute the lands,- logically entrusting them to evangelizers and not to heretics.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, teach as certain doctrine that the Pope cannot validly commit a land to heretics, as in Sacred Scripture God says that heretics may not abide in Israel.

We teach that the Popes have the duty and the right of supporting and blessing every crusade to expel heretics, since it is not permitted to stain the earth with the cursed and vile feet of heretics.

We, as Universal Doctor of the Church, teach that the Popes should launch holy Crusades against the heretics, until either they are converted or disappear persecuted to the ends of the earth.  He who permits the adoration of false gods or the practice of false religion stands opposed to God.  We teach that it is not licit for Popes to unite themselves with heretic princes against Catholics.

We teach that a Pope who unites with heretics against true Catholics calls down upon himself the wrath of God, of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and our personal indignation.

We, availing ourself of the present document, feel deep joy and jubilation on speaking of Catholic Ireland.  It is certain and true doctrine that our Predecessor, Hadrian IV, had the power in Christ’s name to entrust Ireland to the evangelizing nation.  However, from the moment England fell into heresy, she lost her power over Ireland, and since Ireland has no Catholic King, the Pope holds direct power over her until he provides a Catholic king.

We teach as certain doctrine and true, that England, when she fell into heresy, lost every right and authority over Ireland.

We recall that Our venerated predecessor, the great crusader Saint Pius V, using the Divine Right of Temporal Power, deposed queen Elizabeth I of England.  For this reason, Elizabeth I, as heretic, could not be Queen of Ireland, or for the matter of England.

We, in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, with the authority of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of our own, solemnly declare and proclaim:

The Pope, as Vicar of Christ, by Divine Right, exercises Spiritual Power and Temporal Power, all the world being subject to him.

If anyone dare to say that the Pope cannot exercise Temporal Power, let him be anathema.

If anyone dare to say that the Pope cannot distribute the lands, let him be anathema.

If anyone dare to say that the Pope cannot depose kings, let him be anathema.

If anyone dare to say that the Pope cannot name kings, let him be anathema.

We, with the authority with which we are vested, anathematize the so-called liberators who robbed the lands the Pope had given to Spain.

We, with the authority of Christ, solemnly declare:  If anyone say that the liberators of Spanish America served God in the work of satanical emancipation, let him be anathema.

We teach that masonry is a work inspired by Satan, who attempts to destroy the Holy Church of God.

We, as Vicar of Christ, exercising the Spiritual Power and the Temporal Power, by divine right, will in the proper moment, with the help of God and of the sword, redeem, step by step, all lands,- to lay them at the feet of Christ, King of the Universe.

We declare Saint Christopher Columbus exalted patron and protector of America.

We proclaim as titles of Saint Christopher Columbus, exalted evangelizer and missionary of Spanish America.  We establish the universal feast of Saint Christopher Columbus on the 20^th May of each year, with proper Mass and preface.

We add the glorious name of Saint Christopher Columbus to the list of protectors of our Pontificate.

Given in Seville, at the Apostolic See, the 40^th anniversary of the victory of Saint Francisco Franco against communism, 1^st April of the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ MCMLXXIX.

With our Apostolic Blessing.

GREGORIUS XVII, PP.  Pontifex Maximus.

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