, 1860-11-08

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Rall9 zion and Morals In Naples.



Religion and Morals In Naples.
[Cor1>spondsnos Of ths N. 7. ohsssTsr.]
:, Aoxr4uaAN. (rarn and oaronne3
Those who hava not Visited the provinces Of
Southern Italy can hardly form IN 'dea Of me
strange religion existing there under the name
Of Christianity. It Is not tho Roman Catholl-
cisui Of Protestant countries or Of France, q
Cathollcism which preserves stNi some mod
estT, aiiows something to inc Nants Of ase,
The religion OF these, Southern Italians H.,
generally, an abject. pas1nism, . disgusting
mixture Of silly supetstItsous anu gross immo-
fality:: all Of which Is rsoommenaeo anu sane
toned by tie priests, and eternal salvation Is
promised to the bigota who blindly engage IN
An intelligent Ind unprejudiced traveller,
Mr. Theodore Vcrnes, lately took Journey
through the south Of Italy, and on his return
published book entitled" Naples aud the
heapolitans." will give you IN Idea Of some
Of lts pages, adding my own observations.
iuferior to the other races in Italy. Thcvwerc
brave, bold people, quick to comprehend,
and capable of accomplishing great things.
At the time even of the reformation, large
number Of Neapolitans showed n readiness to
embrace the pure Gospel 0s It was preached to
them by Peter Martyr Vetn1gn and a other dls. .~
the 1nqoisition could neyer be regularly estab-
lished in Naples. This milton contained in-
stinctiytly the germs Of true plety and moral
ity which might have drodnced rich harvest.
But the neigAborhood Of Rome, the constant
and subtle workings Of the Jcsuits, the inte-
rests Of priests aud calculations Of Kings have
stined what was good IN the Seapo1itans, and
cultivated what was bad.
Two faults III particular 1laye been greatly
increased BY the clergy First, the Inhabitants
Of Naples arc very imprraixe; they like festi
walls, the p0mps of worship, theatrical e1hi-
billions In the churches, banners mud garlands
saints,-all that capsiyates the Imagination
and appeals to tho senses. The priests have
not failed to take advantage of this tendency
Fnrtler, the Neapolitaus have for the most
part contracted tudo{ent habits under their des-
potic government They have ceased to think
for themselves. The prieats foster this feeling
IN every way the5 give to laymcn q religion
which requires no exercise Of the INTELLECT
It is enough to 1eazu by heart some tornls vi
prayer, to ottain absoluhon from the confes-
sor, to observe the outward ceremonies, and to
give money to the clergy: ia pagan from an-
grave, be would feel perfectly at home in the
practice of this false Christianity. The names
have been changed but the creed and tie NQr-
ship are about the same.
Thus, the great and holy name Of God holds
very small place In the worship Of the Nea.
politans. God is TOO spiritual, SO to speak he
is too high, too perfect being. A multitude
ofLazzaroui, remarks Mr. Theodore Vcrncs,
hare never asked whether there VILE God.
OF what matter to them the infinite, eternal,
alpowcFfnl, -p1nniscent BcingY II you at-
tempt to speak to them Of the Father of light
aud mercy, they will think you are hereto.
Their diyinities arc the Vlrgin aud some saints,
the patrons Of eacl church district. The poor
est Napolitau has in his hous Que or two pic
tnres Of his favoritc saints, before which
small lamp burns day and night, il not this the
sa11: u the Household Gods, Worshipped BY the
At the corner of every street, nich con-
tains thefmayye ofthc patron saints Of the place
When the street Is long, there are several nich-
es with different saints. On entering the humb-
lest OF the most splendid shop, you see oppo-
site the door, the statute Of the Virgin Or
saint dccked with 1owess; md in the evening,
this image ii lighted By candles. 1t is kind
Of fet'chism Which has not the slightest resem-
blance to that ,roraaip in spri& and in traM re-
qnired BY the Lord.
The populacc Of Naples aud the peasants of
Calabria or tue AbTuZzes have invented yerT
convenient way Of usln: these images Of saints.
when they have committed rObbeIy, thcy
place IN the arms or at the feet Of the Statue,
part Of the stolen goods, and then keep the
rest with quiet conscience! 1t is not rare to
meet with an image in which is hid part Of the
spoiis taken from some traveller who has been
robbed and murdered! The saint becomes in
this way an accomplice, aud the crime is par
doued! What religion! What ahominahle
rrofanation Of sacred things! need not add
priest Of the parish, who readily excuses the
crimes of robbers, because he profits By
them.
Inc same trufllc is carried on in the con-
fessionnL 4 person, for instance, takes what
doc: not belong to him: He makes the fol
such or such benefit; will give the half or
third part to tue priest, as mark Of 1,.nttence
After making this sacrifice to the church, MT
contessor will give me absolution, aud can
keep the rest without roproach or blame"
The priest fixes the terms Of this compromise,
sharing the profits with the thief What won
der, after this, that frauds and robberies should
be so multiplied In the kingdom Of the Two
slcllles! True, thieves have sometimes to
render an account before the civil magistrates,
The gal1eys and prisons are harder to bear
tnan ecclesiastical penauces. But the guilty
always hope to escape human Justice, and they
often find in the churches an asYs,sm from the
vengeance Of the laws.
ought to sp.ok OF the effects OF this deteet-
able religion upon the feelings and conduct
OF the women. But the subject Is very deli
cate Twill only say ttzit sin Is redeemed in
klE HA1AV MAY III IDuUe3j. a VoIQAu lAuB mo
sin; her conscience is troubled, her heart uu-
easy and full Of terror. What shall she do:
She goes to her coufessor, who administers
pcuauce more or less caasy; then she obtains
ahsolutioD, and all is over Sometimes the
price OF this nbsolution Is 4 new shame! Then
the woman Is forgiven, and returns the next
DAY to her dissolute 1ifr The religion, which
ought to prevent the violations Of the moral
Law. IL the very means of multiplying them.
efdnaily, iu the highest sense Of Inc word.
is scarcely known among Neapolitans. The
priest exercises more authority than the hus-
band and the father he governs lie wife, the
mother; he interfcrcs II the most private
domestic relations he eau hold secret inter
course with the women every time he wishes
and woe to the man WIN dares to resist. or
break open the door before which Lie the shoes
OF the priest us ] sacred barrier!
The Bible evidently must be forbidden In
Naples. The Bible would be the most formid-
able adversary OF such = religious system.
The priests themselves rarely read the Script
lirr$, and only certain parts. as to the laiciy,
the Bible ID almost Is unknown to them as the
Koran, or the Vedas In India They would
nc suspected, If copy was found In their
house.
The Ignorance Of this people is proycrb1al.
Their natuEal yiyacity has BEEN kept down by
the clergy II they we're enlightened, they
would soon abandon the absurd mythology
Which have mentioned, not excepting the
miracle Of the blood Of St. Jannary; and If
they rcnounced their mythology, the clergy
would lose Its revenues, its Ionore and its
power. Thus there are but few schools In M
pies, and these arc only attended By children
of the middle or aristocratIc classes.
Lct US hope that the great political changes
| which hare taken place in the kingdom of the
i two sicilios vii remedy this deplorab1e relig-
ious and moral condition. The liberals know
wen that they must repress the usurpations Of
fht%.
wish to establish liberty on i durable basis,
Garibaldi has beautifully said: The Bible is
the canon which will free Italy"
d AGood-Natured View OF the Princes
Visit,
The CArisfian Lnqxirer pleasantly says:
Having but few heroes to worship at home