Ahhh, o.k. For a moment there I thought you were considering the editor/writer of that article on "SABBATH OBSERVANCE" to be "authoritative" simply because he wrote for a "Catholic" newspaper! Thanks for clarifying.
Sorry, but I never heard of that quote before.
Edited to Update: I searched this quote, and what I have to say is, "LOLOLOL!"
First of all, was the letter first written in Italian or Latin? Because I guarantee you, it wasn't originally written in English...
...which means the letter was
translated into English.
Here is the sentence in Italian:
"E invero, poiché Noi siamo sulla terra vicari di Dio onnipotente, il quale vuole che tutti gli uomini siano salvi e pervengano alla conoscenza della verità, e poiché la tarda età e le amarezze Ci sospingano al termine della vita, Ci piace imitare l’esempio del redentore e maestro Nostro Gesù Cristo"
Here is the translation of the sentence from Italian to English:
"And indeed, since
We are on earth vicars of almighty God, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, and since old age and bitterness push Us to the end of life, We like to imitate the example of our redeemer and master Jesus Christ"
Here is the sentence in Latin:
"Iamvero, cum Dei omnipotentis vices in terris geramus, qui vult omnes homines salvos fieri et ad agnitionem veritatis venire, cumque Nos et sera aetas et amara curarum ad humanum urgeant exitum, visum est redemptoris magistrique nostri Iesu Christi"
Here is the translation from Latin to English:
"Now, when
we are carrying out the works of the Almighty God on earth, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, even if late age and bitter cares urge us to a human exit, it seemed to our redeemer and teacher Jesus Christ"
So, what's there to deny? A poor translation?
Here is the letter. In Italian, Latin and English. Enjoy reading.
<i>Praeclara gratulationis</i> di Papa leone XIII - Dopo aver rivolto agli scismatici un pressante invito all’unità nella Chiesa di Roma, il Pontefice ricorda il valore dell’azione svolta nei secoli dal Cristianesimo per l’elevazione dei popoli e per l’affermazione della pace.</i></p><p><i>Di...
www.vatican.va
Epistola Apostolica Ssmi D. N. Leonis XIII ad Principes Populosque Universos, occasione sui Iubilaei Episcopalis
www.vatican.va
To Our Venerable Brethren, all Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic World In Grace and Communion with the Apostolic See Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction, The splendid tokens of public rejoicing which have come to Us from … <a...
www.papalencyclicals.net
As far as I can tell, there is no "authoritative" record to show that any Pope said that, or that the Vatican ever issued any statement like that. Supposedly that 'sentence' proceeded the other sentence in
The Catholic Recorder. But I gave you the link to the newspaper, and that sentence is not in the paper.
I acknowledge that Bill Gates is the 'head' of Microsoft. I acknowledge Joe Biden as the 'head' of the USA. I do not believe in the "supremacy" of Bill Gates or Joe Biden. And likewise with the Pope. I recognize the Pope as the 'head' of the earthly Catholic church. But I acknowledge Christ's supremacy OVER the Church.