The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-30
THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.
Pro-SynodnI SessiOn-Tbe Programme of Pro-
cecdinRs-POlitIcRl Qucstlons-The Council,
the ibpcrn. and Actors.

held in the hall which has been arranged Tor
its meetings, at the Baslica of st. Peter, where,
on Thursday in Holy Week, the ceremony OF the
washing of the pilgrims feet takes place. 1t
comprises the entire right branch of the court,
onc-half the transept, and has been separated
from the rest of the church by wooden parti-
tion, neatly painted in imitation of the precious
marbles by which it is surrounded.
One end of the parallelogram thus formed is
reserved for the Pope. There stands the throne,
with species of grated enclosure in the rear
whittier he can retire when fatigued. Par par
entteSe he is supposed always to be present, but
a man of seventy. eight would be unequal to such
an excrtion, SO his attendance will usually be
simulated by the appearance of the helmets of
his body guard. On either side are the tribunes
for the Fathers of the Council, each of whom is
provided with movable desk, and also seats for
the ambassadors or sovereigns who may wish to
be present at the public scssions. Without are
dressing and committee rooms, and around the
walls are hung all the great works of art which
record former councils, or acts of faith having
reference to their decisions in former times.
At this prosynod about five hundred bishops
attended together with the two Roman Princes
COlonna and Orsini, who are named CuStOdeS,
and such eminent jurisconSults of the civil tr-
bunas as have been selected to aid in the de-
liberations on points where ecclesiastical law
might clash with civil.
The Pope opened the meeting with a short
speech in Latin, pronounced with firm, clear
voice, which set forth his hopes that the august
assembly would, by its works, disseminate know
ledge throughout the world, heal dissensions.
rally back all lost and stray sheep to the fold,
etc. etc. etc, to the greater glory of God. In
short, lie spoke in very general terms After this
the doors communicating with the main build
ing were closed, and an oath of secrecy was adj
ministered to all present, the pledge to remain
in force until they are released from it by the
proper authority.
ORDER OF BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL.
The mode of procedure is as follows:-Com-
nf tWa ahn
each, will examine matters in detail. During
the last six or eight months every question has
been carefully elaborated by preparatory COM
missions sitting under the presidency of the Sc
cretary of the Council, Bishop Fessler, so that
no undue time may be lost in selecting those
worthy of discussion.
An abstract Of these separate matters will be
submitted to the commissions of twenty-four,
who will, in their turn, lay them before the con-
gregations, with the summary of the views of
each member, and draft of the resolutions
proposed. After due examination before the
congregation, the entire question, with the vari-
Gus opinions will Ee given to each member of
the Council, and the vote thereon will be taken
in general session, each member answering in
the affirmative or negative, as his name is
called; the purpose of the prelimnarics being
to get rid of unnecessary speeches, and so
shorten the duration of the Council. With the
exception of the sessions, when the vote is
taken, all the deliberations will, as has already
been stated, be secret; the first public session Is
to be held on the 9th of January, and then will
be promulgated such acts as have already re-
ceved the sanction of the Pope.
POLITICAL QUESTIONS.
From series of letters which have appeared
in the OSSerCdtOTe CdttOljcO, of Milan, attributed
to Monsgnore Nardi, member of almost all
the preparatory congregations, and particularly
of the one to which, under I he presidency of
Cardinal Rauscher, Is entrusted the eXamina-
ton of political matters, it seems that the 'Syl-
lalN, will form hn hne of tbn I,,,
Gil, and that an intentional omission of political
questions would be quasi surrender Of its pre-
rOgatives.
The Pope himself has been heard frequently
to declare that he was firmly convinced that the
world would be regenerated by the works OF the
coming Council; that no attempt would be made
to influence the bishops, who would have full
liberty of discussion; but that he trusted they
would not abuse this privilege by consuming
valuable time in idle disputes. 1t would be bet
ter, he added, that all decisions should be unani-
nous; but in case of difference of opinion the
question would be decided by the majority, ey-
cept when that majority happened to be insight
ficant. Plus TX hopes, however, that no divi-
sions will arise, believing that the Holy Spirit
will inspire the Council, and lead all its members
to act in harmony.
DoGMAS.
1t is also asserted that two dogmas will be
proclaimed
/. The assumption in spirit and body of the
Virgin Mary.
2. The infallibility (personal and independent
OF all councils) Of the Pope, speaking er cdthe
dYd, on questions of religion and morals.
The controversy on this last point is likely tc
| be warm, and the grounds taken against it by
Monsgr. Dupanloup and Monsgs. Maret, ir
| their pamphlets, have produced so much excite
| ment that ii will certainly be the last subjec
| discussed.
| PRoTEsTANTs AND sCHIsMATIcs.
Protestant and schismatic ecclesastics will b,
| allowed no voice in the council. But the Pop
| has notified the Archbishop of Westminster, DR.
| Manning, that a commission would be formed o
| prelates of dogmatical ability, who would COME
| with all duly authorized persons of other de
nominations on such points of the Catholic faitl
| as were rejected by them. In con
| sequence OF this a committee OF fou
| English clergymen are announced as ol
| their way to Rome.
THE OPERA AND THE COUNCIL.
One of the French Cardinals-Dc Bonncchos
has made q collection of the libretti of all tn
/ operas now on the stage and proposes to sub
| NIT them to the examination of the Fathers O
the Council, who are to decide whether the
| are morally and religously adapted to Catho
lies; those whose tendencies are bad or in whic
religion is attacked, in any of its institutions
to be expunged from the repertoire. In shor
there is to be an eXpurgative edition OF the lyri
droma, where, if the music of RigOtettO tn
Irauidta, Beatrice de Telda and Others of tha
stamp appear at all, it must be with a radicl
change in scene and incident. Already th
Roman censure was very severe. RObel
le Didble was only known as Robert of p,
cardy; LO FOrxd del DeStinO became DO
AlUdr the Sioilidn Vespers GiduGnnG
Guzmdn ; and Donizetti's Fdooritu l.
TaJ; ..hnr turn nj