The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-02
treaties can be very much perverted and
The Church In spain.

1he 5psmAh'
1t would be surprising if the relations OF
the Holy See toward the new government OF
Spain do not in the end prove injurious to
Catholic interests all over the world. The
various nations are so enlightened by the
operations Of the telegraph and newspapers,
they take so wide an interest in each Others
affairs, that it is impossible for the inhabi-
tants Of the United States TO be insensible to
what is taking place in country like Spain.
This more particularly because we have with
US exactly the same influence which is now
endeavoring to control the new King. We
dinances, the same discipline, the same
Pope. Catholicism In Spain and Catholicism
in America are as much part OF the same
system as New York and Ohio are parts Of
our republican system. The difference Is that
in Spain the Catholic Church represents al
most without dissent the opinion Of the
people, while in America it is largely in
toe minority. Therefore those who criticise
the Catholic Church would naturally say that
we can better know what would be the effect
of the Catholic religion becoming the domi-
nant faith in this country by looking at wha,
is now taking place in Spain than by accept
ing the assurances OF any of its prelates OF
defenders. We find, therefore, that the
Catholic power in.Spain is endeavoring to
make the existence of any other religion inn
possible The ambassador of the Holy See
has formally demanded that there shall be no
liberty OF conscience in Spain. In Other
words, that because the Catholics have vir
tual possession of the country the effect
OF their being in possession must render any
other religion impossible.
The government has, as we SEQ by recent
DESPATCH declined to assent to tue demand OF
the Papal Nuncio, but has issued q decree
avowing its intention of "doing justice to the
Church" In other words, we suppose that
the King, feeling the pressure OF the Church
pressure SO strong as to be almost
irresistible when it is earnestly imposed
offers to compromise, with the hope first to
satisfy the demands OF the Church, and.
second, out of respect to the public opinion
OF Europe which would not be willing to
consent to the extinction of liberty OF
tween two duties-the allegiance he owes to
the Pope as the head of his Church, and his
obligation to Germany, to whose influence he
largely owes his crown.
We do not venture to instruct infallibility,
but would it not be well for the Holy See to
regard religion and government as two
different things? Why should not the Pope
take comfort from what he sees in America
and IN the republics of South America? Is il
not plain that the Catholic Church is nowhere
80 strong and tree and fourishing as in
country like ours, where its priests mind
their own business and exercise no influence
over politics except what may be represented
by their individual votes ? Is there an ex-
ample of the Catholic or any Church becom-
ing an established part OF the government
system which has not ended in misfortune?
The priests are open to temptations which do
not exist in America. Scandals fall upon the
Church by its interference in politics, in revo-
lutions, in public affairs In Ireland we see
in nearly every mail some illustration Of this
truth. Aud, furthermore, the existence OF
this spirit among the ministers of the Catholic
Church only invokes angry criticism from
other churches. The time has passed
when Richclieu or q Mazarin can
take counsel from the Vatican and sway toe
destinies of people. We have gone beyond
that The Catholic Church will be higher,
better, purer and with greater influence when
it is utterly divorced from every form or SEM
blance of government. If it cannot exist IL
Spain without invoking the power Of the
government to suppress other religions then
its weakness is inherent; for when church
cannot flourish upon it's own foundation it is
a confession that it fails in the highest quality
of religion.