The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-29
TIE Popsdona ard the Italian Confederation

TIE Poptdon and the Italian Confederation
The news from Europe of the Pope being ele-
waited to the Presidency of Confederation OF
all the States Of Italy news which is confirmed
by the arrival of the Eoropa-is suggestive Of q
train of reflections which carries the mind back
over eighteen centuries, TO the time when the
Bishop of Rome was the simple and humble pastor
Of church which ne used to meet in secret once a
week ID the Catacomos, afraid of the sword Of per-
secutiop whose sharp edge had been tesheo with
many a victim The history of the Popedon is
one of the most curious 10 the annals of nations.
AT fret the Bishop Of Rome, like all other print
tive bishops, was but The humble shepherd of a
Christian flock or congregation. For IN those
times every congregation WAS a little indepen-
dent Republic, having a pastor, or presby,er or
bishop, or priest or they were ali oDe), presiding
over it. elected by itself aud it was uncontrolled
by any external spiritual authority whatever.
In future sge these churches became grand
federatiye republic, with the Bishop OF Rome,
then called Pope, presiding over them all Not
only Gid he become the President Of fedemtive
republic, but king, Sovereign Pontiif, a spi-
ritual ana temporal roller in ope-more than
an emperor--a vicar OF God himself claiming
universal dominion.
The power of the Pope rose by degrees. When
the pastors OF several neghboring churches met
for consultation the most respected ard aolest
among them was called to preside The churches
were at first planted ia the large cities by the
Apostles or their converts, and then churches
branched out in the surrounding neighborhood.
in connection with the parent stem, whose pastor
had probably seen and conyersed with the
Apostles, and was therefore regarded with more
than ordinary reverence But this respect to him
grew into homage and obedience to his Successors.
In the beginning he was but the fret among
equals. The Office gradually became permanent,
and when provincial synods of the clergy were
held, IL became still more imp0i tant. To him
the disputes of the Christians were referred for
arbitration, instead of bringing them before an
idolatrous magistrate. for the government was
still pagan, and prosecuted the Christians The
Office of president Of these assemblies fell to
the Bishop of Rome, but it conferred little
power on him till the Emperor Constantine who
embraced Christianity and protected and estab-
disbod the new religion--removed from the West
to the East; and now the Roman preate exer-
cised not only spiritual, but sometimes temporal
authority.
In the fourth century, about the time Of Jul
han, called the Apostate, there was decided
increase of the power and influence of the Bishop
of Rome, who was considered the first in rank
and distinguished by sort of pre-eminence over
all other bishops. lie Surpassed all his brethren
IN the magniicenoe ard ep,endor Of the church
over which he presided, in the amount of his re-
venues and possession, ia the number aud va
riesy Of his ministers ia his credit with the PEG
pie and In his sumptnous and splendid manner
Of living. This led Proetextatus, who WAS ma.
g'strate OF the city, to say Make me Bishop Of
Rome, and I'll be Christian too The iniu-
cree Of the Bishop Of Rome reached sili hi CHER
point and assumed a wider range wbep, in the
beginning 81 the seventh ceptsry. the Emperor
phocas conferred GU Bonisace Ill The lille a
Universal Bishop TIE done,ioi,s CT Fepin ava