Humani Generis Redemptionem

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For the 1950 Papal encyclical, see Humani Generis.

Humani Generis Redemptionem is a papal encyclical written by Pope Benedict XV and published on June 19, 1917. The letter exhorted the clergy to preach while acknowledging that the great increase in preachers appeared to be paralleled by a decreased regard for Christian virtue. The conclusion drawn by the Pope was that preaching must conform more closely to standards. Preaching would henceforth be only by those appointed by bishops. Bishops were to keep a closer eyes on those they appointed: monitoring their learning and virtue.