Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-23
THE PAPAL SUCCESSION.
1sasemorckS Circular 10 German Dinlo-


Inc Paris correspondent of the London
Zines gives the following copy of Prince Bis
Inarcks famous circular i'm relation TO the
TConhdsyaffar.l
"BERLIN, May II, 1872.
ccoriing to all the intelligence received
the health OF Pope Pho Mono is perfectly salts
factory and not at all likely to undergo anv
change Tor the worse. In the course of ma ture
however, a new Pope will have to be elected
some day, although the exact time Cannot no
Iofseen with certainty. To all those govern
ments In whose countries the Catholic church
naS recognized position, the attitude of the
sn isi o. tnat church is of such grave import
ance that 1T seems expedient to try and
realize even now the consequences likely to
ensue rom change Of Pope. 1t has long
peeh acknowledged that the governments
having Catholic subjects have a great and
ulrect interest, both i'm the person of the flu
ture Pope and in the certainty that the cleo
non viii De attended with all those formal
ana material guarantees rendering 1t impos-
slble Tor governments to regard the election
AZ valid, and having full and indubitable
iofce an their countries and with their sub
Jects. Ihere can be no doubt that before
allowing Pope to exercise In their respec-
tive territories rights so extensive as in
many respects TO border on sovereignty,
the governments have conscientiously to ask
themselves whether they are i'm position to
ADMIT the legality of the election. If Pope
was DOT recognized by all or by most of the
european sovere1gnS, should the reasons for
disowning him be of a formal or material
nature. he would be as little a Pope.as any
bishop could be bishop without the consent
anu approval OF his government. Such was
me case even under the former regime when
the position of the bishops being more indie
pendent, governments but rarely had occa-
SION 10 communicate with the Pope on mat
tiers ecclesiastical. But in CONSEQUENCES of
the COncOrdats concluded in the beginning OF
thls century, the relations between the POpe
and the governments became more direct
ana IN sense more Intimate, and now that
he vatican Council and the two principal
votes passed by the same. referring respec-
t lively To the infallibility and jurisdiction of
the rope have entirely changed the relative
position of the Pope and the governments
the latter are all the more interested i'm the
person OF future Pope, and accordingly all
the more entitled To insist upon the due and
unqualified recognition of the two rights
by the votes just mentioned the Pope is
enabled himself to exercise episcopal juris-
ulction In each and every diocese, so as en-
tlrely TO supersede the authority of any
Olshop holding office with the consent of the
secular power. In other words, the episcopal
jurisdiction is entirely merged in the PapaI
Inc rope, no longer content with a few re-
served rights, but apprOpriating TO himself
the whole Episcopal authority has i'm theory
the bishops, and is practically at
noerty 10 enforce his new powers at any mo-
ment in the case of any bishop he chooses
The bishops are only his tools his servants
SWayed by his dictator, and without any re-
SpOnSlDlllty OF their own. In their relations
TO the secular government they are now the
servants of a foreign sovereign, and this of n
sovereign who by means of his infallibiIity
monarch in the world. Before allowing new
rope To assume such position and exercise
such rights, governments must ask them
selves whether his election and person offer
those guarantees against abuse of power
which they have right todemand. This is
the more necessary as 1t is not to be expected
with certainty that even the few guarantees
formerly surrounding a conclave, partly in
nerent in its composition and partly mark
ing It's rules, will be granted under present
circumstances. The right of excluding can
didates possessed by the Roman Emperor.
Spain and france often enough proved illu-
sorry, and the influence the various nations
exercise In the Conclave through Cardinals of
their nationality Is mere matter of chance
III Is impossible to fOTeSee under what circum-
stances the next Papal election will be made
ana whether II will not perhaps be precipi
tated In such way as 10 imperil even the
IOTmS guaranteed in the past. For these rea-
sons IL seems desirable that those govern
ments concerned in the election of a Pope
Tor the ecclesiastical interests of their CathO-
lie subjects and the position of the Catholic
church in their countries, should approach
the question in time, and If possible agree
upon common attitude and the conditions
on which they will recognize the next POpp
Could an agreement upon this head be eff
Iecteu between the European governments
this would be of immense Importance, and
perhaps might Obviate serious cOmplica-
lions. request your eXcellency cOnfiden-
TALLY 10 ask the government to which Won
have the honor of being accredited whether
they would be inclined to exchange opinions
and eventually enter upon an agreement
with us upon this subject. II the willingness
exists we shall easily find form for the pur-
pose. | authorize your excellency TO read
rescrlpt to the minister, requesting Won at
the same time to give out no copy for the
present, and TO treat the whole matter dis
creetly. Receive, &C. BISMARCK"