The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-21
BRAZIL.

The Question Of Authority I'm Church
and State-Re1ations OF the Hierarchy
to the Secret Societies and the Crown
Position OF the Imperial Executive
Grand Church Ceremonial.
Rio JANEIRO, July II, 1873.
The issue between the temporal and spiritual
powers has just assumed graver aspect than
before. The Bishop Of Olinda has relieved the in.
terdicted secret society brotherhoods from the
penalties he had imposed on them; but he has
done so only temporarily, and has declared that in
doing so he obeys only instructions received by
him from Rome simultaneously with the govern
ment order; andS furthermore, has stated
in pastoral which he has published and
ordered to be read in all the churches,
that the arguments and order OF the gov
eminent were unworthy OF receiving o reply
from him. and that he recognized only the orders
OF the Pope This is plain enough speaking, but the
Bishop has determined to leave doubt Of his in
tent and proceeded to acts The Brazilian law says
that no bull or other Papal document may be pub
hshed before receiving the placet OF the government
but the Bishop OF Olinda has published brief of
Plus TX, dated May %, just received by him from
Rome. and without communication with the gov
ernment The brief is important in its bearing on
the question now agitating Brazil from end to end.
Commencing with the usual formulas about pas
tors and focks, it enters into denuncation Of
Freemasonry, declares all Freemasons eXcommu-
nicated, as well in Brazil as elsewhere; approves
OF the action of the Bishop Of Olnda, but says
"As we here take the place OF Him who came into
the world not to the just but to save sinners
we authorize you to relieve from accommodation,
for the term OF one year, all the Freemasons Of
your flock but at the expiration Of this term OF
grace we command you to put into force all the
spiritual pains and penalties communicated against
FreemasOns. We also command you to dissolve all
brotherhoods and to constitute others who win
fulfil their duties"
Lastly, tue Pope desires that the brief shall be
being intended by him to operate throughout the
Empire and to be carried out in all the dioceses.
1t Is now beyond doubt that the Pope and the
Bishop OF Olinda and doubtless the other Brazil
ian bishops are determined to place the spiritual
power above the civil one and treat the latter as
subordinate. 1t Is not probable that the imperial
government will accept as SUFFICIENT obedience to
It's peremptory order the mere suspension of the
interdict during one year, especially when the
Bishop declares, at the same time that he does not
obey 1t, but the Pope's command, and treats its
order with contempt
THE EXECUTIVE POSITION.
Tomorrow or the 14th the government will have
to reply to interpretations IN both Chambers upon
what 1t will do. According to the constitution the
Emperor has the power OF suspending the bishops,
but not Of removing them from their Offices.
SOLEMN RELIGIOUS SERVICES,
grand mass for the soul OF the deceased En-
pressDowager, Duchess OF BraganZa, was cele-
brated yesterday in the Imperial chapel and her
funeral Grafton pronounced. 1t has csst the nation
$4,000.
Ait the grandees. officials and diplomats were
invited, but no poor devils of newspaper men.