The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-20
Temporal Power OF the Pope.

Temporal Power OF the Pope.
The future Of the Pontiff, as to the
extent of the effects of the lato war
on his temporal authority, is attract
ing much attention on both sides of
the Atlantic not SO much on account
OF the power or magnitude of his
State, as from the historic and ecclc-
siastical prominence of it's ruler. A
good many Journals havo expressed
the opinion that his temporal au-
thority as Il civil magistrate, which
dates from the time of Constantine, is
approaching to its close. The Balti-
more transcripts not of this opinion.
1t says:
cit seems to us little too carly to
assume that the temporal power of
the Pope is permanently ended The
intelligent reader need scarcely he in
formed that, repeatedly III the his
tory of the Papacy, the Pope has been
compelled to rclinquish his capital;
h'it, III the course Of It few years, or
an even shorter period, events have
restored to him his sovereignty. Tie
w"s held ut one timo Il prisoner l,y
the great Napoleon, and scemcd as
weak and helpless ;ln object in the
grasp Of that mighty conqucror, us Il
lamb in the clutches of an eagle. But
the conQucror died at last, himself n
prisoner, on :ln island rock, rcvcrcnt-
~ acknowledging the spiritual au-
thorlty of his former captive, WHO was
once more free, and again 3: Sovc-
reign. In our Protestant eyes, and,
We think, in the view of sound rca-
son and religion, the temporal power
is inconsistent with the spirit of
Christianity, and we have no manner
OF doubt that 1t must be disadvan-
tage to tho real strength and spiritu-
ality Of the Church; but still, in view
OF the many ups and downs of the
temporal power, we shall not feel
quite certain that it has ceased for
good. till we have the Pope's own
word to that effect The recent ter
rltorial changes in Europe are not
likely to be permanent, and Bismark
may afford another illustration of
going up like the rocket and coming
down Ike the stuck.
And the New York CnhoHc Reqisfe,.
has the following comments. which
of course express the opinions of
good Catholics cverywhcre:
''1n the prospect, SO far us human
sagacity can forecast, there is nothing
but disaster, spoliution and humi-
liation for the Pope. And vet,
intelligent Catholics, all over the
world, while they grieve and regret,
laugh at the oppressor, while they
fear the judgments of Heaven.
nor for the Church They pity tie
world, and are awc-stricken because
the end of all may be ut hand. The
Italian abortion Of Il Unitary King
dom will fall, because it is against the
natural genius Of the different races
and peoples OF Italy to be united.
France may dwindle into insigniii-
cance. by being led into false courses.
Austria may cease to exist. Other
nations may rise or fall. But older
than any of them, is the Holy Roman
Catholic Church. Anti Catholic
powers will hurry on to their cNtinc-
ton. There is no enduring principle
III any Government not based ON the
principles taught by the Catholic
Church. But, while the world lasts,
intelligent Catholics know that, DO
llticaily sovereign and indencndent.
or else Ill prison. the doors of
which will he opened soon-evcn if
mlraculously. us in the case of the
first Pope, ST. Peter the Vicar ,f
Christ on earth will ill rule the
Church, as the successor of St
Peter"
VIRGINIA The stay law and other
uucSt IONS Commercial with fhn inloLt