The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-20

Ia coming to the Council with the Archbishop oil
ject winch, coming from the pen OF theologian %
wen as bishop, have given some umbrage at Rome
But the CtrtItG Cattoitca, which Is usually reads
enough 10 wage war In Its polemcal columns against
all who Call into question the Popes personal malt
biity. has not yet ventured TO attack MonseigneuI
Maret, deeming, perhaps that 1t would be equlva.
lent to attacking the French government as whose
expense the work has been printed This book
demonstrates that besides meeting with opposition
from various governments the new dogma
would be offensive to numerous classes OF
Latin Catholics on account OF the entire
change II would introduce into the constltu-
ton Of the Church, at a time. too, when absolute
rule In spiritual government would be rs 6istastefu
as ntempora. As the TO olienrals whose yeneraloD
for ecumenlcal councils Is traditional and I'M
bounded, dogma tantamount to aboshing such
assemblies would produce among them the greatest
dfstrust and alarm
with sucn prospects OF hostility from portion, OF
any rate OF the bishops expected at the Council, II
is thought that the Court OF Rome VIII either aban-
don the plan OF this new dogma altogether or en-
deayor TO carry 1t by surprise, by organizing in the
Council nucleus OF reliable bishops, who VIII urge
their colleagues to the required definition by acca-
nation without the iormaity OF voting. The other
leading questions to be submitted to the Catholic
hierarchy assembled at st. Peters are the dog.
assumption OF the Virgin Mary into heaven, the
making belief IN the necessity Of the Pope's tenn
frmauon OF the famous syllabus published by the
relgning Pontiff to the astonis aed world In 1854
IL Is not probable that the first Of these PROPOSE
hons will encounter any opposition In the Council.
The Pope has always nourshed an especial seDtl-
ment OF devotion towards the Madonna, and he
makes no secret OF his earnest wish that the new
dogma OF her assumption may be proclaimed. The
majority OF commissioners in the section OF dogmatic
theology have already opned favorably so thar the
definition OF the doctrine Is considered as ensured
Fins coroaat opus, and Plus H., by his
final homage, crowns the series OF devotional
honors which he has offered TO the mother Of our
Lord. Father Passaglia was the principal writer on
the Immaculate Conception. but the Pope has
assigned TO Father vaccari, Benedictine monk, the
task or demonstrating In learned dlsquisltlon the
dehniDllltY or the assumption.
Tue dogma OF the necessity OF the Pope's tenn
poral power has not so good cnance OF success in
the Council, for the most devoted champions OF that
power could not lind the elements OF dogma In IL,
however important they may consider the belief In
It's opportuneDess and even necessity But If this
project Is not sanctioned the bishops will probably
renew the protests they put forth In 1852 and 1867
on the spoiiatlons endured by the Pope and the
unwarrantabe invasion OF his small remaining
territory.
AS to the syllabus, which must be regarded as the
code which regulates the relations Of the Court OF
Rome with civil society, we must recollect that
although published with great soemnity in 1864 1t
was not entirely composed then but only compiled,
1t were, from successive concentrations OF modern
principles previously issued by Plus TX. and his I'M
mediate predecessors. AS the Court or Rome has
no intention or abandoning this code 1t Is probable
that the bishops Will be invited to give 1t their
ton as whole, and to furnish explanatory COM
ments on such paragraphs rs have hitherto been
Ineligible unfayorably interpreted by the public
When the Council has disposed OF these principal
questions VIII only have to occupy ITSELF as Ear as
we can yet learn, with dlsclpnaran regulations
which Will o1er no peculiar interest except to the
parties concerned In the changes that may be de-
creed. The reform OF missions another attempt at
uniting schlsmatcs and heretics to the Church of
Observation-Disclosures in the number and character
OF religious orders, Improvement Of the instruction
given TO, the clergy-adaptation OF the judicial
power OF bishops TO the requirements OF modern
society-such will be some OF the topics presented
for discussion. II has been reported that the liberal
Catholic bishops intend to advise the Pope to come
to some agreement with Italy the question OF the
annexed Papal provinces, and to allow the highest
dignties Of the central government Of the Church,
NOS excepting that or Supreme Pontin, to be
accessible IN future to all Catholics without
distinction OF nationality The introduction OF such
q really Catholic principle into the government OF
the Church OF Rome ID not at all probable, nor
tue suggestion OF 1t come from the bishops. az the
Council can take no initiative In the matters TO be
treated Of the limit assigned to its action by Church
traditions being mat the Council has all power in
ness.n
The preparatory mechanism OF the Council works
IN the Following manne-:-Ihe Pope communicates
10 the directing congregation OF cardinals the theme
OF the questions which he considers opportune to
say before the assembly This congregation, which
is supposed to form with his Holiness single per-
son, morally speaking, is composed OF cardi-
nals presided over by Cardinal Patrzi, several con-
sultors ana secretary. They alone know the
theme OF question In due form, and sends 1t to
the cardinal project OF Of the six preparatory
consideration OF ceremonies poliuco-eccesastica
Affairs churches and missions In the East, religious
communities, dogmatic theology and ecclesiastical
discipline. Each commission mas Its cardinal pre-
feet, its consultors and its secretary The cardinal
convokes at his residence the members OF his com
mission and invites each or them to deliver in wri-
ting his rotl1i. or opinion, on the subject In ques.
ton. These cotd which are, strictly speaking mere
opinions are printed at the secret Typography In
the Qurlnal palace and sent TO the directing con-
Rregation, winch discusses them with the Pope and
forms the dennirive canon The collection OF these
proposed eanons Is already complete and will be
distributed to the bishops on the SIN December. l
have already said that the Initiative or the ques-
tons TO be treated OF belongs solely and entirely to
the Pope a fact which renders any serious oppos
ton In the Council improbable, II not impossible.
the hierarchy has been mainly created by his own
nominations, and must therefore, be prompted by
feelings OF gratitude, well reverence to vote
In accordance with his suggestions
Rome IL not yet very sensibly invaded by bishops,
but the oflcla journal mentions the arrival OF two
or three every day. Yesterdays list comprised
three Syrian bishops ana the Calabrian blsnop OF
Catanzaro, The great mass OF them may be
pected towards the middle Of next month, the 18th
OF November having been indicated to all those pre-
lates OF moderate means who are TO enjoy the
Sovereign Pontin's hospitality as the period at
which his Holiness would be ready to receive them.
Cardinal Bonnecnase, Archbishop OF Rouen, with
Six French bishops, arrived at Civita vecchia yes
terday from Marseies two days behindhand, in
consequence Of stormy weather. which drove them
to seek refuge In Porto creole.