The national Republican., 1867-07-29
THE TEMPORAL POWER OF
THE POPE.

There has recently been held, as oil
know, great assembly at Rome. Bishops
and prelates, and many Of the highest dig
nitaries Of the Church, have been gathered
for many days in grand convocation at
Rome, by invitation OF the Holy Father.
The United States, and other countries Of
North and South America; all the coun.
tries of Europe, and from many parts Of
Asia and Africa, came delegates to the
Holy City. There has not, at least in
modern times, been gathered together, in
one place, an assembly Of such an impos-
ing character. The large secular journals
of this country, and Of Europe, have given
many interesting details Of this gathering
Of the men OF the Catholic communion.
The bishops made an address to the Pope,
and the Pope also addressed the bishops;
and steps were taken and plans proposed
and adopted 10 strengthen and extend the
power and influence Of the Church. Every
man, whatever may be his religious views,
must feel degree Of interest in what was
said and done in this holy convocation Of
distinguished prelates. Whatever may be
thought of the temporal power which His
Holiness exercises over Rome, as to
whether, indeed, he has this right, Us Q
temporal ruler, or not, no one can question
the fact that the Roman Hierarchy still
holds mighty spiritual sway throughou
Christendom.
This great assembly convened under tn
protecting power Of the Pope, proceeded
to transact the business which brought /
together; but almost coincident with it
assembling, GARIBALDI announces his pul
pose to liberate Rome and to destroy tn
temporal power Of the Pope. GARIBALr
contributed much towards the re-estat
ment Of the kingdom Of United Italy. II
desired the liberation Of Venetia froI
Austrian thraldom and domination, an
his labors in this direction were crowne
with success. He would now free Rom
from the temporal power by in whic
it is held by the Pope, and he, h
sons, and his friends are now, t
use an American phrase, "on the wa
path" to effect this purpose. We do nc
learn that GARIBALDI proposes to interfer
in the least with the spiritual supremac
of His Holiness. He would separate tn
spiritual from the temporal, and divorc
Church and state, rendering to CESAR tn
things that ore CIEsAR's and to God th
things that are Gods" In this country W
have no union of Church and State, bu
in Europe it is quite otherwise. vii
therefore, the great Powers look on an
see the Pope dethroned, and himse
and the monks and nuns driven befor
these soldiers Of GARIBALDI out Of Rome
We hardly think it. The crowned head
will interfere and prevent what this ster
old warrior proposes to do. Several day
ago it was announced that Louis NAPc
LEON would put in order the French fortif
cations about Rome; and SO We may e1
pect that in answer to the Pope he vii
notify, GARIBALDI to desist-that h
will even use q strong force to make hin
desist. 1t hardly seems possible that GAr
IBALDI can, under existing circumstances
succeed.
This last gathering Of the Catholi
Church at Rome, by its delegates, demon
strates the fact that that great and wide
spread communion is still mighty power
in the earth that at least its spiritual su
premacy is not, as some have intimatet
and some believe, on the wane. When W,
look at facts like this it may be safely con
cluded that Church that holds such com
plete sway over many of the most power
full Governments of the earth will, by thi
and other kindred influences, be able tC
maintain unbroken its temporal power ii
the Seven Hilled city.