The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-06-15
The Gcumen!Cal Council.

The GcumensCal Council.
The preparations, which, as already
stated, were begun in 1867, soon after
the announcement of the Pope's inten-
ton to convoke the Council, have been
actively continued ever since. The Su-
preme Directive Congregation is COM
posed of seven Cardinals, six Of whom
are Italians and one Il German. To
them are joined, as consultors, several
bishops and learned priests, among
whom are four Italians, one English
man (Nir. Talbot, one Professor OF
the University of Louyain in Belgium,
and Professor Hrfele, of the University
of Tubingen, in Germany. The latter
is the author of by far the best history
of the Councils OF the Christian Church,
a work of solid and profound learning,
and valued by Protestants as highly as
by Catholics. Under the direction OF
this Congregation, special commissions
prepare the matters to re discussed and
decided upon by the bishops. There is
a commission of ceremonies, 4 politico-
ecclesiastical commission, for Eastern
affairs, one on the religious orders and
congregations, one of degmatic theolo-
gy, one of ecclesiastical discipline. It
ally has, of course, a larger share in the
selection of the members of these COM
missions than any other nation; next to
Italy Catholic Germany has furnished
the largest number. The United States
are represented by DR.. Corcoran. oi
Charleston; England. by Mr.. Talbot
and Mr.. Howard. Dr. Newman was
invited to assist. but declined on &C.
count of infirm health. DR.. Dollinger
the great church historian of Munich
has also been invited, but has declined
the invitation For the first time i'll the
history of Gcumenical Councils, thanks
to the art of stenography, literal ac-
count of the entire proceedings will be
taken, and the provisions Of this klrd
have been completed An Austrian
Bishop OF note, DIR. Fessler, Of st. Pol
ten, has received the appointment OF
Secretary of the Council. The sessions
of the Council will be held in one O
the large chapels Of st Peters Church
and the principal architects of Rome err
actively engaged in making the xecessa
ry accommodations.
Trustworthy information on the prog
rcss Of the preparations, and in genera
of all occurrences concerning it, is civ
Ell by periodical paper, issued at thu
office Of the Civilta, at Rome and enti
tied "Chronicle of Matters relating tc
the Future Council" Germany ant
France also have periodicals exclusively
devoted to the affairs Of the coming
Council Among the large number o
books which have been published on tht
subject, that of Bishop Dupanloup, o
Orleans, has probably attracted the great
est attention.
THE TOPICS TO BIZ DISCUSSED.
The names of the special commission
which We have mentioned before indi
cate that the Council, like its prcdecess
ors, will extend its discussions and de
cisions over large variety of subjects
embracing points of Christian doctrine
ecclesiastical discipline, and politico-ec
clesiastical polity. Among the subjects
which are likely to attract prominent at
tention are mentioned the reunion OF th,
Eastern Churches of Rome, the relation
of the Church to the modern State, es
pecially with regard to the question o
public instruction; the position of mon
sstic orders, in the thorough reformation
of which the present Pope has alway
taken especial interest. Many absurC
and sensational reports have been pub
lished on this subject by the Romal
correspondents of the political press
especially that Of England. 1t is nat
ural to suppose that hardly any trust
worthy information will find its way t
the public, except through the channe
of the Roman papers.
HOW LONG THE COUNCIL IS LIKELY TO LAsI
With regard to this question, which i
frequently asked, the Paris Monde, on
of the most influential papers of tn
Catholic world, remarks: 1.-The Counci
of Trent lasted eighteen years; but
was the longest of any of the Councils
and its real labors only lasted for abou
five years" The Monde expects that
unless unforeseen events intervene, tn
deliberations can be finished by the yea
1870 Should new questions presen
themselves, the summer of 1870 woult
be employed for preparatory work, ant
the final session would take place in tn
winter of 1S70to 1S71.--N. Y. Tribune