The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-19
The Approaching Grand Catholic Council

The Approaching Grand Catholic Council.
Our letters from Rome and from other
European centres touching the grand Council
to be held in St. Peters, in December, have
for the last two or three weeks been more than
usually interesting. A particular section of
that grand Christian temple has been set apart
for the meeting, and everything is being done
to make the place worthy of the great occa-
sion. The rumor in circulation some weeks
ago to the effect that, in consequence Of differ
ing sentiments between the Church dgnitaries
and the temporal chiefs of the various CathO-
lie States the idea of Council had for the
present been abandoned, has been proved to
be without foundation. From all the ends Of
the earth Roman Catholic bishops have begun
to wend their way to the shrine of st. Peter,
the centre of Catholic Christendom. 1t is
calculated that not fewer than one thousand
titled representatives of the Church will be
present to claim seats on the 9Th of
December, the day fixed for the opening of the
Council. st. Peters on the occasion will put
on its best attire. The magnificent ceremonies
of the Church will captivate eye and ear and
touch many hearts. 1t will be great day in
Rome-a true "Roman holiday" such
holiday as has not been witnessed in many
centuries, and which to every historical stu
dent who takes part in it will call up scenes
inseparably associated with the days Of Rome's
greatest splendor. There will be no Pompey,
no Caesar, no Anthony seen marching to the
Capitol in triumph; but the spectacle will be
grander and more attractive than any Roman
triumph in the ancient sense-suggestive Of
higher and nobIer thoughts, and inspiring a
sweeter and holier joy.
1t is our conviction, however, that the opee-
ing will be the best of the Council. The
spectacular demonstration will be confined to
the first day. When the show is over
and the ecclesiastical dignitaries sit down
to the work prescribed for them the
excitement will be over. The proceedings
will be conducted with closed doors. The de-
bates, if there be any debates, will be carried
on in bad Latin. The stenographic reporters
who are being specially trained for the work
will report, not to the public, through the news
papers, but to the Council itself. 1t promises
| to be stupid, old fashioned medieval kind of
thing which will do the world no harm and
which will certainly do it no good. 1t was
customary on the occasion of former councils
| of the kind for the Catholic monarchs to be
represented by certain great civil function
aries At this approaching Council of the
| Vatican all such representatives will be con-
spicuous by their absence. The princes of the
Holy Roman empire will be nowhere. Aus
tria, France, Bavaria, Nuremberg Baden,
| Italy have each refused to regard the Council
in any other light than that of an ecclesiasti-
cal assembly, and, of course, have re-
fused to lend it any of that eclat which
would result from the presence of great
State officials. What course Spain and
Portugal may follow we know not
is already certain that no Catholic
State or Catholic ruler will be formally repre-
sented The Protestant Powers will, of course
take no part in it. Greece will follow tn,
example of Russia, although the Greek govern
ment is not likely to go quite so far as to for
bid the Catholic bishops from ate ndng tn
Council if they feel SO disposed. In positivel
instructing the Catholic bishops not to atten'
the Council Russia has proved that she still
adheres to her hereditary policy; but mos
men will be of opinion that the policy is unne
cessarly severe and altogether unworthy Of
great Power in this advanced and enlghtene
age. We have not heard that any prelate Q
the Greek Church intends to be present nor
with the single exception of DR.. John Cum
ming, of London, of millennium" and 'Tribu
lation" fame, are we aware that any prominen
Protestant divine has expressed desire
take part in the discussions of the Council
Dr. Cumming has written to the Pope stain
: the conditions ON which he is willing to acceT
his invitation. The Holy Father has not ye
replied but some of the Pope's friend
| in London have written to the docto
rather discouragingly. We are sorry that tn
} Covent Gardent divine has been left so muc
alone. Had he been joined by such men q
Sturgeon and Henry Ward Beecher an
! Charles B. Smyth he might have had create
: success. It must, however, be consoling I
one and all of those gentlemen to reflect tbs
the Vatican ecclesiastics, not they, will be th
e losers.
o What does the Council mean 10 dop Du