The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-24
THE EFFECTS of THE PROHIBITION OF
RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONS IN ITALY.
fLondon Tablet, Sept. 81

tated tho Catholic population, and but for
the Catholic clergy would probably have
caused many tumults. But the Catholic
bishops and priests have eDdeavored to pre-
vent disturbance, and have couDseled obe-
dience to the ruling authorities. The Car
dipal Vicar of Rome issued On admirable
notice, recommending quiet and compliance
with the orders of the Government, but
at the same time declaring that the
ecclesiastical authorities had protested
against the ukase of the Home Office as
contrary To the just rights of the clergy,
aud opposed to the interests of religion.
The prohibition against professions was not
published in some localities until the 18th
or 18th of August, 80 that it was Impossible
for the parish priests in those places to give
the required fifteen days' notice to the
Sypdic in order to obtain permission for
the usual professions on the Assumption OF
Our Lady and the festival of San Rocco. In
most of the towns and villages the process
sions were held inside the churches. But
on the Feast of the Assumption, in several
of the country towns, the people took the
matter into their own hands, and made
their procession outside the churches, with
out the assistance and against the advice OF
the parochial clergy. In the neighborhood
of Frosipone all the Inhabitants of the
towns of Banco, Marolo, Sgurgula, Sapino,
cessious, without the Intervention of the
clergy, on the 18th. At Segni there was
quite rising of the population. The bells
of the cathedral were rang during the night,
and the gendarmes kept discreetly to their
barracks. All the country folk confessed
themselves liable to prosecution, and IT
prosecuted and condemned will perhaps
seek refuge in the mountains. At Macerata
q small nambe of Freethinkers and Free
masons tried TO prevent the annual thanks
giving procession held on the 18th, and
called the procession dele Caaestrelle. But,
~. Of hoir ohu of nf
the Catholic religion, the feelings of the
peasants were not to be trifled with, and
the legal permission was granted. At Pie
trsmelarR q strange scene occurred on the
10th of August. 1t was the Feast of San
Rocco, the patron saint of the locality, and
the priest gave notice from the altar that
there would be no procession, in conse-
quence of the edict of the Project, and he
duly preached tranquility and submission to
the highest powers But the people would
not allow their zeal towards their patron
saint to be repressed. After High Mass
was finished, the women of the congregation
gathered together, and amid enthusiastic
shouts of ViUG San Rocco, went to the
statue OF the saint, took iG upon their
shoulders, and issued professionally from
the church, Notwithstanding the renon
strances of the clergy and the opposition OF
the authorities and some Royal Carbineers.
The men armed with stout sticks, formed
guard for the women, and thus the process
sion went it's accustomed rounds, band of
music leading the way, and at intervals
halt being made to fire of mortars, and dis
charge rockets and other fireworks. For
three hours and a half the procession cOntin-
ued it's course and returned to the church
in tranquility. In several cities the pre-
fects and syndics delayed the publication
Of the prohlbitory edict until the Feasts of
the Assumption and San Rocco were past,
in order to avoid offending the local Gus
NhC
police authorities appear to have sought an
opportunity to fasten quarrel on the peo-
pie. On the 22nd of August the Visticum
was carried to the sick without the bells,
and without the prohibited solemnities.
The terms of the edict were strictly follow
ed. But the gendsrmes illegally tried TO
prevent devout persons from following the
Viaticusu with their hats of, to show respect
| to the Blessed Sacrament Then body of
infantry armed at all points appeared, and
| by actual violence the persons who imme-
diately followed the Viaticum were driven
away. The off1cer in charge rudely caught
the parish priest by the arm as he was car
rying the Host, and told him to go from
under the BaldacchiDo. The priess re-
quested the officer TO respect the blessed
Sacrament. The officer found he had gone
too far, and contented himself with dispers-
ing the crowd ut the point of the bayonet,
suffering only two persons. who carried
| lanterns, to accompany the Niaticum. I'm
mense crowds assembled in the streets OF
Frascati, and intense indignation was ex-
| cited when it was known that gentlemen
and ladies of respects bility, in common
with tae other inhabitants of the town,
were thus violently prevented from per-
forming an ordinary act OF cevotion-shat
of following Jesus in the Sacrament. The
multitude repaired to the church to receive
the parish priest with the Viatieum on bis
return, and before the re-entry of the Hosi
into the church they sung the Ie Dexm out
side in loud tones. Many of the Italian
journals, especially the organs of the late
Cabipet b in pTohibitinS thess PROFESSIONS
Under the past Government of the Mode
rates professions outside churches were
lawful, and it was only permitted to the
Projects to iDterdict them occasionally and
under special circumstances. Under the
present Government of the Progressists the
professions are condemned in principle and
are forbidden. Is is only permitted TO hole
them by special favor, and upon specia
application. Formerly the irritation causeC