Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-05-14
The

A6 ASGb0T VI Tie Op6 10 afQl-
nal MeCloskey, read as part O. the
proceedings at the formal institution
of the new Cardinal into his official
position, contained a paragraph di-
recting him, precedent to being in
vested with the powers and dignities
of the new Office, to take and SUBJ
scribe to an oath sent him by the
messenger and which was to be sent
to the Pope by the same messenger.
That oath was not published with
the proceedings, nor was there any
intimation as to its character. En-
quiries concerning it have proved
fruitless. Fortunately, however,
the matter had been previously look
ed into, and the nature of the oath
which the Pope exacted of Cardinal
McCloskey as condition precedent
of his becoming solemnly invested
with the powers of the Cardinalate
is not an impenetrable secret.
In 1850 the Pope revived the Ro-
man Catholic hierarchy in England,
and made Wiseman Archbishop of
Westminster and Cardinal. The new
Cardinal signalized his elevation by
the issue of pastoral tFrom out
the Flamian Gate" which created in
tense excitement when it reached
England. During the controversies
which followed, in Parliament and
out, the whole subject of the powers
and duties of Cardinal of the Ro
man Church was canvassed. Among
the other documents presented to
Parliament by Lord Palmerston-
then Foreign Secretary, was a copy
of the oath taken by the Cardinals
on their appointment, as furnished
by the British Minister at Turin.
That oath begins as follows, as Civ
en- in the translation made at the
time:
"a, --, Cardinal of the Holy
Roman Church, do promise and
swear that, from this time to my
life's end, I will be faithful and obe-
dent unto st. Peter, the Holy..Apos-
tolic Roman Church, the Lord, the
Pope, and his successors, canonical-
ly and lawfully elected; and l will
give no advice, consent, or assist
ance against the Pontifcal Majesty
and person; that l will never know
ingly and advisedly, to their injury,
or disgrace, make public the coun-
sells entrusted to me by themselves,
or by messengers or letters (from
them): also that 1 will give them
any assistance In retaining, defend
ing and recovering the Roman Pa
pacy and the Regalia of Peter all
my might and endeavor, so far as
the rights and privileges of my or
der will allow it, and will defend
against all their honor and state;
that I will direct and defend, with
due form and honor, the legates and
nuncios of the Apostolic See, and
the territories, churches, ,monasteries,
and other benifces committed to my
keeping; that I will cordially coop
crate with them, and treat them with
honor in their coming, abiding and
returning, and that l will resist un-
to blood all persons whatsoever who
shall attempt anything against them;
that will by every way and every
means strive to preserve, augment,
and advance the rights, honors and
privileges, the authority of the Ho-
ly Roman Bishop our Lord the Pope
and his aforementioned successors;
and that at whatever time anything
shall be decided to their prejudice,
which is out of my power to hinder,
as soon as I shall know that any
step or measures have been taken
lin the matter) 1 will make it known
to the same our Lord, or his before
mentioned successors, or to some
other person by whose means it may
be brought to their knowledge. That
I will keep and carry out, and cause
others to keep and carry out, the
rules of the Holy Father, the de-
crees, ordinances, dispensations re-
servations, provisions, apostolic man
dates, and constitutions of the Holy
Pontiff Sixtus of happy memory, as
to visiting the thresholds of the
apostles at certain prescribed times,
according to the tenor of that which
/ have just read through. That I
will seek out and oppose [persecute
and fight against. Latin-onaaS con-
Gtat perSecattet1'aIna ct ineOotgnatatratoa
heritics, schismatics, against the
same our Lord the Pope and his be-
Observation-Disclosures with every
possible effort"
It. addition to what is given above
the oath binds the Cardinal not to
sell or give away, or otherwise alien
ate, any Church property without
due authority; to maintain the ''con-
stitutfon of the blessed Pius' of
1867; and the declarations of his
particularly those of In
nocent X, 1891, and those of Cle-
ment VIII, 1892; and to maintain
the Papal claim to various Italian
cities. The oath closes with the
words: "I will not seek absolution
from any of the foregoing articles,
but reject it if it should be offered
me or in no way accept it if offer
ed |, so help me God and these most |
holy gospels"
Was this oath taken by Cardinal
McCloskey? Will the Catholic |
Universe throw some light on the
matter? If this was not the oath, |
will that paper give us the text Of
oath actually taken? What is the
opinion of the Universe on the pro-
priety of an American citizen taking
this oath? Oris Cardinal McCloskeY |
not an American citizen ?