The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-06-21
PrieatIv Proaigaov.

The Criminal Court Of Turin has
lately been occupied with the hearing
of a case which has spread oonsterna-
ton and shame through many Of the
most respectfully connected families in
the Sandman capital; and contributed
not little to increase the feelings Of
dislike growing up of late towards the
Catholic clergy. 1t was that of a priest
named Don Gurlino, Of the Carmelite
order, among whose regular profession
al duties were those connected with
the confessional, and these duties he
violated in a manner so foul and afro
cious that no less than thirty-three
young girls have fallen victims to his
Ipro8igacy.
This priest is forty years Of oge,
Isingularly handsome in face and figure,
and possessing q remarkable influence
over the minds of youthful penitonts.
The wretch was in the habit of accom-
panying his oral temptations with the
appliances and means of obscene books
and lascivious prints, to hoighten and
accelerate their effects. The relations
of young creature, one of his latest
victims, found in her possession an OBJ
scene print, and insisted on her telling
them from whom she had procured it.
The girl refused for some time, but,
yielding to menacCs, stammored forth
the name of her coniessor. She added
that not she alone, but likewise several
Of her young friends, had received
from Don Gurlino immoral books and
prints, and debauched by his arts,
had yielded up their honor to their
spiritual guide.
The wretch was brought to trial, but
it was before a secret tribunal, yet
enough has been disclosed to fill all
Turin with horror and indignation.-
IThirty-three young girls, belonging tc
the highest social classes, testified tc
their ruin by this priest, and he was
sentenced to seven years solitary con.
fnement.
On this matter the London Dispatch
makes comments, as truthful in this
country as in England 1t says;
What Is needful to be remarked ir
England is the crime to which the con
fessional. There is a power placedin leads
the hands Of human beings to indulge
sensuality by committing the crosses
wrong. The Catholic priests of this
country, where society is more vigilant
and detection more sure, know well the
practices of their brethren in Italy,
They will themselves warn young wo
men proceeding thithor to choose ole
men for their confessors, knowing wha
else may be attempted But even here
let confession be the custom of tho
land, let it once be considered by tho
clergy of both creeds necessary for re.
ligious discipline, and very soon WI
should have trials with closed doors
as in Turin, to escape the frightfu
scandal and the enormous crime ac
ceptod as an accident in a holy system
Men cannot be trusted with these su
pernatural powers of absolution without
their being tempted to use them for sec
ular purposes; and the conscience once
broken to such dealing, the worst pur
poses will be as acceptable to it as any
others. Let our young Puseyito cler
gy, far enough at present from such in
famous practices, ponder the trial of
Don Gurino, and trace candidly from
events to causes, from the deepest wick
edness to the most insidious tompta
ton.