The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-27
The Co.vocasIen In R.ne.

Our special kilograms yesterday from DIFF
ferent European centres were full OF interest
From one of them it appears that in Rome
and gigantic scale for the approaching festival
of Saturday and the services and ceremonies
Of Sunday. Already upwards Of four hundred
Catholic prelates-bishops and archbishops-
from all the ends of the earth, with many thou
sands Of priests, in obedience to the can of the
Holy Father, have assembled in the ancient
and honored seat Of Catholic Christendom
Rome is literally crowded with strangers, lay
and clerical, from all paris Of the world, and
still the multitude increases. The bishops
from the United States were, it appears, the
objects Of special attention. St Peters
church, which is TO be illuminated on the
occasion, win on the evening of Sunday present
scene which in point of genuine maguifcence
will be without precedent in the entire history
of the Christian religion. Never before has St.
Peters day been SO grandly celebrated as it
promises to be on this forthcoming occasion.
The ostensible object Of this convocation is
the celebration Of the eighteen hundredth ami
versary Of the martyrdom Of St. Peter. A
centenary, as compared with an anniversary, is
always entitled to special distinction. 1t was
fit and proper that attempts should be
made to make the celebration worthy Of
the time and OF the great event. In the
whole affair the Holy Father has from the FIRST
taken deep personal interest The hearty
response which has been given to his invita-
lions cannot fail in some quarters to create
surprise, and mus. generally produce convic-
ton that whatever may be the difficulties be-
tween the Holy See and the kingdom Of Italy,
and whatever may be the upshot OF these diff
cultics, the Papacy has not ceased to have q
firm hold on the intellect and affections Of q
large portion Of the human family. Ostensibly
convened for the purpose above indicated, IL is
vet difficult to resist the conviction that the
heads Of the Catholic Church were brought to-
| gether for other deeply important though ute
rior ends. 1t is at least improbable tina, having
come together they will separate without
taking into consideration some of the questions
which seriously affect the future of the Papacy.
We can see no reason, indeed, why they should
not, ere they separate, resolve themselves into
a council, II that be necessary, and dispose
| finally of some of those outstanding questions
which are becoming more and more . source
| Of weakness and annoyance.
There is, for example, that vexed question of
the temporal power--a question which is keep
| ing Italy and the See Of Rome at variance. and
| will continue to do 50 until 1t is settled. Why
cannot this matter be set Mt rest at onceY II
there Is any fearfuness on The part either Of
the Holy Father himself or OF his mmedi-
| ate advisers to trus, themselves to the volun-
tary principle, there arc prelates from England,
| from Ireland and from the United Stites who
are able to give them the benefit OF their ex-
perience. AS to the efficiency and suiliciency
| of that principle, there can be no manner Of
doubt. II there be any doubt as TO its
authority they cannot 10 better than fall back
upon the example aud teaching of the Church's
founder and still living head. my kingdom
| said he. on certain memorable occasion. ais
not OF this world" On another occasion he
rebuked those who would have tempted him by
| the words, "Re,der unto Cesar the things
which are Caesars and unto God the things
which are Gods" Better follow Christ than
retain the dangerous gifts OF Constantine and
Charlemagne.
Much good, too, might be done by . return
to greater simplicity Of doctrine and worship
We have wandered far from those beautifully
simple forms in which Divine truth found ex