The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-28
THE RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN
EUROPE.

question of the relations of Romansm to
politics has been rc-opened in England,
and controversy has begun of which the
end can by no means certainly be predict
ed. Mr.. Gladstone has followed up an
article in the Contemporary ReUie,o, upon
the more recent claims of the papacy, by
pamphlet which has put the ablest con-
troversialsts of the catholic church upon
their metlle. Archbishop Manning pre-
diets that this controversy, which really |
commenced with the publication of the
proceedings of the vatican council, in
which Mr.. Gladstone has now taken such |
an effective part, will prove one of the |
mightiest controversies the religious world |
has ever known. Certainly, he says,
.'nothng like i. has been seen since the
sixteenth century
Ii is chargedithat Mr.. Gladstone has, for
the sake of political effect, pandered to a
senseless prejudice cherished by English
Protestants. But this charge, we think,
will not lie, while the gravamen of his in
NlCtilltut Vi lut NutuOilt tuulIn
cannot be successfully denied. For it is
unieniable that however impotent the
threat still Rome does threaten the liber-
ties of the world Among her latest utter
ances are COMBINATIONS, often in very
vigorous language, of those who maintain
the liberty of the press liberty of con-
science and of worship liberty of speech
those who contend that the Pope cannot
utter binding DEGREES except in matters OF
faith and morals those who say the
church should not employ force those
who affirm the validity of civil marriage
those who say the free exercise of other re-
ligions should be allowed sin countries
called Catholic :" and, finally in word,
all who affirm that the Pope should come
to terms with progressive liberalism and
modern civilization. Besides all this, the
Pope solemnly claims 10 be the Supreme
Judge of the Christian commonwealth, en-
titled sin civil affairs to pass judgments
| upon the acts of men,"
Manifestly, an organization animating
and animated by such principles as these is
| dangerous to the worlds welfare in pro-
portion to the degree Of power 1t may pos
sess. OF late 1t has been the fashion to
laugh at the Papal syllabuses and cncycli-
Gals. The Popes bulls, it is said, no long
or have horns. Possibly the Pope's power
has been underestimate. Certainly in the
conflicts Rome has maintained with the
strongest government of Europe, she has
developed sturdy strength which has as
tonished all. Less indomtable wills than
those which rule Germany might have fall
tered in the fight
But the German chancellor is not used to
either su omission or defeat and his EN-.
peror is fully determined that, whether she
desires it or not, the Catholic church in
Germany shall in all temporal matters be
independent of the Roman See, and, We
may perhaps, safely add, dependent upon
him.
1t is believed by many that tho dcstruc
ton of the temporal power and the reduc
ton of the Popes domain to the area OF
the Leoninc city, has been attended witt
an increase of his spiritual and moral pow
err over his adherents. If this be true, it II
clear that unless the Papacy changes it
principles and attitude the question of re
ligion is quite likely to become vital ISSUE
in English as well as continental politics
though the contest may not assume thu
| | h;nb . ;,,
But il the Catholics are consistent in thei
professed faith in the later dogmas Of tn,
church and uiterances of the Pope, thel
must necessarily stand in the way of TIN
most important social, political and relig
ious reforms
Mr.. Gladstone is far too clear-headet
politician not TO take advantage of the op
portunity to strengthen his own party b,
, challenging the principles of the Roman
list allies of his political enemies, in behal
of the cause of human progress and liberty
In the discussions and controversies upo
these all-important questions, the Catholi
church is by its leaders ranged upon tn
wrong sde--thc side of reaction, of blindl
) obstinate conversation and the great Eng
) lsh statesman has done we'll in demandin
that the Romansts of England shall dciin
= their position, and say whether they al
committed by their ''infallible" to oppos
' ton to freedom of speech, Of the press, {
: religious and scientific and political invest
CATION and reform. Ia brief, when the
spiritual guide and head denounces alr,a
every phase of human progress, are the
denunclations looked upon rs the harmle
: Vaccinations of feeble old man, or a
they considered to be the DEGREES of God
u vicegerent upon earth, binding upon Il
Z entire Christian commonwealth
A telegram of late date says that Il dep
$ tation OF English bishops is on its way
u Rome " to obtain permission to pursue {
: independent course in case the British go
l. eminent should seek to restrict the liber
IL of action of the Catholic clergy Tn,
i will represent to the pope that they wish
g respect the laws OF England and cam
i blindly accept such regulations as are il
lie posed on Continental bishops" If IL
J. statement should be confirmed we sh,
IS have notable testimony that Gladstone
'e his recent essays has given to the publ
&c not only extremely able, but also very tim
u ly documents. The spectacle of Cathol
N British citizens applying to the pope
D. permission to obey the laws of their oy
20 country, is a significant commentary up
the principles and purposes of the papac
u Some other views of this question will
presented in another article.
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V A1ypriiaa II, Tup Or opu