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We are horrified to see what monstrous doctrines and prodigious errors are disseminated far and wide in countless books, pamphlets, and other writings which, though small in weight, are very great in malice. We are in tears at the abuse which proceeds from them over the face of the earth. Some are so carried away that they contentiously assert that the flock of errors arising from them is sufficiently compensated by the publication of some book which defends religion and truth.

Oh good heavens! You mean that some people actually had this silly notion that it was an abuse of power to suppress ideas with the force of arms, and that bad words could be overcome by good ones? Clearly they must be stopped!

Nor can We predict happier times for religion and government from the plans of those who desire vehemently to separate the Church from the state, and to break the mutual concord between temporal authority and the priesthood. It is certain that that concord which always was favorable and beneficial for the sacred and the civil order is feared by the shameless lovers of liberty.

Or, one might get the impression that those who call for censorship are afraid that their own views might not hold up very well when exposed to criticism; and that those who wish to yoke themselves to the world by having the State sponsor the Church lack confidence in Christ's promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against her.

Anyway, thanks for the new tagline, Gregory.

It is true that it is easier to destroy than to build, and atheism is primarily about destruction. It is then fair to ask that atheistic tracts be required to be on the same intellectual level as the work of the Church. I don't see why that is controversial.

having the State sponsor the Church [who lacks] confidence in Christ's promise

But the promise was never predicated on inaction on the part of the Church. The faith of St.Peter was never a quietist faith: he was a man ready to draw the sword (he had two of them) and defend the Lord. The Church is to either use the state as a tool; not a necessary one, but a tool nonetheless. It is true that the Church will prevail either with the state or despite it. With the knowledge of 20c. history that Gregory XVI did not have, I think, we are going to prevail despite the state that has turned hostile, but I think you cannot in fairness blame him for thinking that perhaps the state could be of some use.