The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-01-03

TEMPORAL. POWER OF THE POPE.-The Rev.
NJ O'Ferrall, S. j., delivered an able sermon
on the Temporal Power of the Pope in the
Church of St. Ignatius San Francisco, on the
22d November, the conclusion of which, as pub
lished in the San Francisco Monitor, give
below:
And now we should turn our thoughts to the
immortal Pontiff who so happily reigns. j..
Were we to listen to the nfidel press of
Europe, the Roman people should also have
Joined in the revolutionary war against the
temporal sovereignty of the Holy See. But it
is not SO: the Romans have learned too we'll the
fate of the usurped provinces and the sad tale
of the adjoining kingdom, to seek to substitute
a military despotism for their present mild
rule. No; the Roman people love to prove on
every occasion their devoted loyalty to the
Sovereign Pontiff. They proved it when with
universal acclaim they welcomed Pho Mono
returning from his exile. They proved it year
after year, refusing to afford plea to Pied
montese intervention, which was ever ready at
the frontiers. They proved it when the French
army was withdrawn, and when they formed
special troops for the defence of the Patrinlony
of st. Peter, and swelled the Zouave battalions
to rcpel the Garibaldian bands They proved
it in the towns of the Sabina, which We're
entered by surprise by the invading revolution
lists but the inhabitants soon chased the free
hooters from their walls with the rallying cry
of Viva Pho Nono." They proved it, in fine,
when unsolicited they formed volunteer corps
of guards to maintain order i'll the city OF
went forth in the name and with the blessing
of the whole Christian world to humble to the
dust the Garibaldian pride on the plains OF
Montana. Yes, the Romans know too well the
privileges they enjoy under the mildest and
most benciicent rule OF Christendom to associate
themselves with the revol,itonists OF other KING
doms. No deaths from starvation are heard OF
in Rome no emigration is forced upon It's
people secure the means of subsistence rum
is not brought upon its families by sudden
momentary crisis; for centuries the small
hpll .irp
right: its capital, the great centre of attraction
for the elite of Europe. is enriched Ivy an ever
increusng train of wealthy visitors; there is
no form OF human misery but has the noblest
institutions for its relief; everything is done
by the Government to alleviate the condition
of the poor the whole revenue OF the rope Is
devoted to public works for the good OF the
country the schools and universities present
n gratuitous education, even i'll the highes'
branches, to all there is no monopoly III It's
Offices, and the highest post is open alike to the
sons of the humblest artisan us to the sclons OF
its noblest houses. Such are but few of the
special features of that rule which the Roman
people refuse to exchange for the disgrace and
misery, oppression and bankruptcy of theil
ncighbors. But let me suppose that the Roman
people We're at length to be seduced from theil
allegiance to the Sovereign Pontif, should this
suffice to Justify the powers of Europe i'll ac
quiescing in such "a revolutionary course.
unhesitatingly reply that it would not. 1t is
not for itself alone that the patrimony OF st
Peter enjoys the Papal government, but 1T is
moreover, for the common good of all Chrlsten'
dom. An American statesman has we'll illus,
trated this point The District of Columbia,
as n seat of Governments, enjoys special
independence. Now, Were this state, he says, to
proclaim itself DESTROYS of being annexed to an
adjoining state, surely noman OF common sense
in Congress would by his vote sanction its
desire, for the plain reason that its exceptional
government is given to it, not for itself alone
but for the benefit of all the United States.
No change can be justified in the form OF
government at Rome without the approval and
sanction of ChristenIom. Never shall the
Holy See he deprived of n temporal independ-
ence necessary for its dignity and free exercise
gifts spiritual prerogatives. No, Christendom
cannot surrender the Patrimony of Peter,
which, hallowed by the reverence ola thousand
years, stands as the only sure bulwark to man
kind, of order, true civilization and Christian
liberty. The Christian pilgrim shall still jour
>ney to that shrine and greet from age to age
the Eternal City as the home of the heart, the
palladium of all that is venerable in history
inspiring in art, directing in morals. and com
forting and sustaining in the destinies OF man
MISSION IN GALVESTON. Flakes Bulletin