The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-26

position of Ecumenical Councils-theIr commission
and decrees-and an anticipatory proclamation Of
the final work and consequences Of the present
Council Of the Vatican.
Church Councils, Divine Commission, Dis
cipline and InfaIlibility-Spccial Definition
TO the Herald.
ROME, June o. 1870
The ceremonies Of the 9Th instant, Pentecost have
oeen somewhat dimmed by q heavy rain tnat has
prevailed all day. Even with fine weather they
would not have been very remarkable this is not
one OF the grand field days Of the Church. ''The
sOlemnity OF Pentecostn-as they say here-was
uslered In by discharge OF the guns at Castle San
Angelo, and the Apostolic banners were holsted on
the two bastons OF that fortress ut early dawn In
crossing the bridge TO go to ST. Peters observed
that the ags, displaying the tiara and keys looked
rather dingy and unprepossessng as they Mapped
about under the hard rain; In fact, they could
scarcely have been considered anything but two
dirty aprons hung out 70 be washed by the rain, had
1t not been known 10 me that they were the arms
and the pennants OF Pic Mono. However, they
served their purpose; the sentnels paced up
and down under their protection, and old Tiber,
moving past looked yel!ower than ever.
AT St. Peters cardinal, OF the order OF
bishops, was to chant mass, as the Pope would
not publicly intervene III the ceremonies OF the day.
Arrived at the church found very scanty congre-
cation OF the faithful IN attendance to hear the Car
dinal. The footsteps OF the few present, as they
moved about. re-echoed silently under the high
vaults, and there was no busy hum OF voices as on
grand OCCASIONS when st. Peter It's level best Or
the Ecumenical fathers do theirs. The bronze lamps
on the balustrade around the Apostles tomb were
lighted, as also the six candles the main altar,
while two tall tapers burned before the bronze
statue, whose left toe has been away by fire.
quent kisses Of the pious. The effect Of this illum.
nation at the main entrance was such as to render
the church even more gloomy, cold and majestic
than usual.
Besides mass in the chief Of cathedrals there was
also the esto of the Holy Ghost in the Giulia church
and display Of the sacred relics In the Church Of ST.
Mark, with plenary indulgence for all visitors who
should drop In to worship. The Council, however,
was neither at work In a solemn ordinary session
Rome is now fairly given over to her native popu-
lation which itself by walking out Of doors
almost all night, especially in the Corso and squares
thereto adjacent, where the cafes and musicians
offer their refreshments. Nobody here at all thinks
about attends to the Council, sitting to speak,
entirely perdu the other side OF the Tber, at the
Vatican.
COUNCIL PRoGREss-A MONsIGNORE ON SPECIAL
EXPOSITION.
Notwithstanding all this tile fathers are going
ahead with their discussions on the material OF
faith; for their efforts put forth not only for
these Roman gentry, always little wicked and care
less, but Tor q much larger audience-fOr the i'm
mense world Of Cathocdom. The nullity OF those
efforts, as Of the prestige or the Council in the eyes
of the natives here is in no wise sign that outside
Catholics and non Catholics in the rest Of Europe
have not an ear OF an eye extended Romewards
just now. As to these Romans, their case Is very
havn Fla lova or acf IA in
particular or general and as far as can and hear
are rather 10 oKing to Victor Emanuel than to the
Holy Ghost for their future happiness. But the out
side world, not being under the necessity Of lookn
to Victor Emanuel Is still waiting with anxiety to
shortly from the Council hall. Whether those de-
Crees Will be forthcoming on the festivlty OF Corpus
Christi or Of ST. Peter, during this June, Is now the
Having just had conversation with one Of the
monsignor attached to the holy See In the capacity
OF apostocal notary with regard to the nature OBJ
jects and results OF The present Ecumenica body,
repeat the substa nee OF It, from which you will
that tine reverend gentleman, who has spoken and
is at least hopeful for the best If not optimst
on his side OF the question, or Rome against the
CORRESPONDENCE nsignore, do you think the
Council Is working well ?
MoNsIaMoREwa 49, certainly; me divine origin
especially referred to them when he said, "Where
two or three are gathered together in my name
there will he in the midst OF them" With these
evangelical words He signifed the assembling Of
Ecumenical councils promising his assistance to
the same; for these words not to be taken in the
sense OF Calvln-that is to say literally-that the
decisions OF TWO OR three persons are lnlall1oe. II
Christ Is to be found In the midst OF two Or three
His name, how much more must He be found In the
midst Of the entire Catholic Church assembled in
councils Besides, there stands the testimony OF the
Evangelist ST. John, according to which Jesus
Christ promised to his Apostles and their successors
every truth Clearly such promise announced the
presence Of the Holy Spirit In councils; and hence
am convinced that the present one sitting at the
Vatican cannot and will not fail Of It's holy object
CoRREsPONDENT-Who do You consider to be su-
preme in the Church-the Pope or the Ecumenlcal
MoNsIGNoRE-Tn ordinary times the Church does
not need the convocation OF general councils limo
h d tna s t are aams son y so
80, 1t would be in state OF chaos and not the well
regulated society ordained by Jesus Christ which 1t
Is IL would 40 longer In that consist OF teach
ers and disciples OF those who command and those
who obey; the impous theory admitted, it would
follow that all In the Church would be pastors, and
there would be no flock to feed or tend. Such
theory would bear In Itself the germ OF destruction,
for any lay person or sovereign would then have as
the guidance OF the Church. The Catholic truth is
tnat only those have right to intervene IN council
governing his flock which is the scope for which che
present Vatican assembly was called.
you ans tnat no lay
COuncilf 8er rr q
cils but they were admitted only through the suf-
ferance Of those bodies. Those soverelgns always
recognized IN an Ecumenical Council higher than
q royal and imperial dignity. Such ambassadors
always attended both as an honor TO themselves ana
rs an act Of reverence for the greater glory and
spendor OF the Council The newspapers have as
serted over and over again that several governments
mad sent, or intended sending, ministers to this
Council. Well II they had come to learn and not TO
disturb the teachers they would have been gladly well
coined. The doors OF the Vatican would have been
open to all VINO should have applied or been sent
there to receive respectfully the laws which the
cllary fathers are now engaged In proclaimtng But
no agent or ambassador mas yet nor Is likely TO be-
accredited TO the assembly
CORRESPONDENCE the right Of free discussion al
lowed on every topic preached in the Council hail
MONsIGNORE- Yes, fully so; there has not been the
slightest pressure exercised against any member
All the subjects discussed were diligently examined
and spread out in the amplest manner by learned
men rom all parts OF the world the moment the Idea
. Ol Council was entertained The Pope had this
done with a view to greater diligence and the des.
patch OF business SO mucn required by the welfare
oil The Church. Now, the magnity, or, TO say the
least, the immense ignorance OF some, especially
among journalists appears Ia THIS, that owing
TO these preliminary preparations they have
been all along progressing that the Vatican Council