The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-21
LETTERS FOR THE CHURCH IN ITABY.
fLondou Tablot Oct SOL

London Tablet. Oct 3ol
The visit of the Emperor of Germany to
Milan, although deprived of much of it's
importance by the absence of Prince Bis
marck, must be considered to have consid-
cradle weight with italian statesmen, and
to be much moro than q mere reciprocation
of empty compliments between the Courts
of the Emperor William and Victor En-
manuel. The absence of Prince Bismarck
has dou btless been great blow and heavy
disbursement to his Italian sympathisers.
The Liberal newspapers in the peninsula
assign the absence of Prince Bismarck to
the alleged refusa! of Signor Minghetti to
enter on a new phase of anti Catholic poll
cy, and to declare open war against the
Vatican. It is likewise said that the sell
ection of Milan, az the place of meeting of
the two monarchs. was distasteful to the
Imperial master to go to Rome, thereby
to show his contempt for the Pope. The
members of the opposition party in the
Italian Parliament are disposed to use the
Emperor's Visit as an excuse for further
legislation against the Church in Italy, and
are demanding through their organs in the
press the fu,filmeng of the Ministerial
promise to bring forward fresh law for
the administration of ecclesiastical proper
ty. 1t is whispered that this new project
of law, which Ministers are pledged to in
troduce, will complete the spoliation of the
Church, by putting into the hands of lay
men the control over the little remnant of
ecclesiastical property which remains after
the conversion, or forced sale, of Church
estates. AS far, indeed, az the possessions
of the Church are concerned there is little
moro to do in the way of spoliation. The
State has already seized into it's own hands
the lands aud houses, rents and profits,
once enjoyed by ecclesiastics, and admin
istered by them as the exigepcies of the
Church required. All real property for
merly under the control of the Church has
| wellnigh disappeared under the conversion
process, and little remains to be admins
tered, save the paper revenues assigned
| of the clergy and the maintenance of the
fabrics of the churches. But it seems that
| the Government, in order to effect q sepa
ration between the Church and the State,
| is about to lay before Parliament a plan
| which will place the administration and ex
use of the ministers of religion, and to en-
| ploy the Church revenues in whatever
manner may suit their own caprices 1t is
whispered that ut the came time with this
transfer of Church management to lay
Boards a law will be enacted containing
very heayy restrictions upon the free &C.
tion Of the regular clergy, rendering il
compulsory upon them to lay aside the
habit of their respective Orders, and deny
! ing them the privilege of living together in
communities In some instances the mem
bers of dissolved religious communities,
who were retained for the service of par
ticular churches, have been already pro-
hibited from wearing the habit of their Or
der when officiating within their churches
1t is supposed that this restriction will be
extended to all members of Religious
Orders on pain of forfeiture of their pen
than two members OF any religious COM
munity will be allowed to live together
These penal regulations are only some OF
the restrictions which it is believed will be
imposed upon the Church in Italy to
please the Emperor of Germany and ap
pease the wrath of his Chancellor, who
chafes at the slow and circuitous policy o.
the Italian Cabinet. The "Exequatur,'
moreover, will not be granted or
the easy terms on which it is a.
present obtainable. OF course whatever
harsh conditions the present rulers O.
Italy may choose to impose upor
the Church must be complied with. for the
only alternative is the cessation of religion!
, services. The very churches are now il
the possession of the State, and it is by
, sufferanee of the Government that Masses
are said and the Divine offices performed
l with them. The clergy have not hitherto
r been asked by the Government to violat.
their conscientious convictions OF disobeJ
the laws of the Church, although in some
places the Government agents have unwar
Tantably interfered in matters of religion
and prevented occasionally the performance
! of sacred functions. 1t must be expected
, however, that more frequent oppcrtunitie
! of dispute and strife will arise when loca
! lay Commissioners, or Boards, shall be EN-
J powered to give laws to the parochia
a clergy aud to regulate and direct the ser
vices of the churches. The assistance o
the Government has been always of lat
years given, as much as possible, toward
? promoting schisrp; and creating opposition
between the clergy and laity. Priests, WHIT
: threw of obedience to ecclesiastical supe
riors, have always received sympathy, ani
frequently substantial aid, from the civil
T authorities. Encouragement has been givel
i in Rome to Protestant Proselytisers of ever.
sort to set up schools and open conventiclee
while the Catholic clergy, regular ant
. secular, dnd deaf ear turned to thei
rem onstrances and complaints. Whateve
legislation in Church matters may be pro
posed in the next session of the Italial
!. Parliament will be-, it may be taken TO
granted, in the same direction of hostilit,
to Catholicism, and will be dictated b!
/. hatred of the Catholic clergy, and resent