The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-19

Rio DE JANIERo, Empire of Brazil, !
Feb. "a, 1874, s
In order to acquaint the American read
ers more fully with the controversy now
raging in this empire between the prelates
of the church and the imperial authorities,
on account of the attempt to enforce the
papai encyclicai in regard to the order of
Freemasons have taken the pains to set
forth in this letter a more complete account
of the origin and growth of the conflict eff
opinion, which has not yet reached its ter
mination. Doubtless before this statement
telligence of the steps taken by the Impe-
rial governmental prevent the princes
of the church," as the prelates are called
here, from executing the papal DEGREES In
relation to the Ancient Order of Freema-
sons, which has resulted in the trial and
conviction of the Bishop Of Oiinda, for a
violation of the imperial laws. This trial
on many accounts deserves more special
mention than any m ere reference to the re-
suit. Further on l shall recur to 1T again.
THE RELATIONS OF CHURCH AND STATE.
To fully understand the relations of the
church to the state here, it is necessary be-
forehand to state the fact, that the Catho-
lie church is the state church, and the form
of Christianity taught in that church is
the religion established by the laws of the
empire AS regards the status of the Bra
,
and what is required to constitute that
virtue, they would be classed as ultramon-
tame in Europe. The decree of infallibility
caused no disturbance in the church in the
empire, but was fully and cordially received
and Endorsed. The DEGREES of the Vatican
Council were duly promulgated, and that,
too, under royal sanction.
But it appears in the light of recent
events that even this decree, and that which
it was meant to establish, only possessed a
relative Specification, in the estimation OF
the civil authorities. 1 mean by this that
to accord to the Holy Father the title, with
out meaning to allow him to exercise the
rights, due to an infallible spiritual arbiter.
So far as ordering the execution of ecclesi-
astical DEGREES was concerned, the supreme
pontif might do that while such DEGREES
did not touch upon the real or supposed
prerogatives of the secular power. But the
moment any order emanating from the Pope
came in conflict with the wishes of the i'm
peral government, then it was made mani
fest that if the Pope was infallible, the gov
eminent claimed to be above him and re-
fused to permit an execution of the papal
orders. The State is held to be supreme,
and the church is called upon to submit to
that supremacy of the civil administration.
THE OCCASION OF THE CONFLICT OF Az
THORITY.
The immediate occasion for break be-
| tween the civil authorities AID ecclesiastical
! administrators was the reception of the pa
pal encyclcal promulgated about two years
| ago against the Fremasons and other secret
brotherhoods. Many of the semi religious
| societies and benevolent associations of the
| Brazilian church counted among their mem
| bership Masons and others who were like
| wise mem bers of secret orders. The prelates
Iinterdicted the Masons, and ordered that
they be expelled from all religious CONTRA
| ternities and societies organized to add
| splendor to the ceremonials of the church.
! The brotherhoods were powerless to carry
out the prelatical interdicts, because in
| many Of these societies the majority of tho
| members were Freemasons. Indeed, the
| Masonic fraternity had obtained so strong
| a foo:hold that it was very hazardous
| thing for the bishops to undertake their
suppression. And yet, the princes of the
Brazilian church " were in very unpleas-
| ant predicament. Impelled by duty to the
head of the church, their obligations as
| ministers and bishops under the control of
the supreme bishops of the Catholic world
the Brazilian bishops were in a manner
| compelled to interdict the societies con-
demned. In doing this it was forseen that
a storm would be raised by the nobility and
gentry of the empire. The very elite of So
| ciety had become members of the Paternity
| of Freemasons. The noble and the wealthy
having thus become affiliated with the or
| uSL aSaluSI WHICH ZIG opo hau
ted bull, the bishops would only raise a
storm which might eventuate badly for
| their own and the church's interest. But
| they were constrained to take action. The
faith of the church is always and every w here
| the same. Freemasons could not be placed
under the ban of the church in Europe,
and taken into the bosom of the church in
Brazil. So, without regard to consequences,
his Highness Jose Mendoza GonsalvO,
prince Bishop of Olinda, without having
secured. even attempted to secore the
royal plaoet, iuterdicted the Benevolent
Brotherhoods on account of their failure to
expel their Masonic members. The socie-
ties were helpless. The Masonic elements
were in the ascendant. Nothing was left
to them but to appeal to the civil power
for relief.
ACTION OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.
The interdicted associations appealed to
his Imperial Majesty, Dom Pedro. The
emperor, advised by the whole council of
tue state, decided that the brotherhoods
had no legal right to expel Precursors from
their fraternal relations with them, and