, 1876-09-03

enough to have hay-fever ought not to be
compelled to enjoy it alone, instead OF intro
ducing it into the whole body polite as
social institution
THE ELECTION OF THE NEXT POPE.
A few weeks ago there was cable dispatch
to the effect that the Italian Catholic Society
for vindicating the rights of Christians gen
orally, and the Romans particularly, in elect
ing the next Pope, has incurred the displeas-
ure of the present Pontif. Iater English
papers bring the Intelligence that the Major
Accommodation has been pronounced
against the members and supporters Of that
Society. The object of the Society US an
nounced is to revise the original mode of
electing pastors, Bishops, and all members
of the hierarchy, by tle,votes Of the people
and clergy, and the eleftion of the Pope by
the clergy and people of Rome. It was
stated or intimated that the Government of
Italy contemplated some legislation on this
subject favorable to the object of this So
ciety; but the Italian Minister Of Peace and
Justice, in answer to an inquiry, has an
swered that, while sympathizing with the OBJ
ject, similar measure proposed by him in
tbs discussion of the Papal guarantees was
rejected, and he has no thought that like
proposition now would receive any more fav-
orable action from the Legislature. Until
popular opinion is more educated up to tho
point than it now is, no favorable cons1dera-
ton can be expected from Parliament. Since
then the announcement has been made that,
within the Church itself, steps have been
taken simplifying the mode of electing
Pope. It is just possible that this latter action
has been taken as precaution, and to enable
the Sacred College to anticipate any action
by the Italian Government to take the
election of the Pope out Of the hands Of the
Cardinals and place it in the hands of the
people Of Rome: The policy of V1croa EN-
MAxuELs Government has been that of abso-
lutte non-intervention in ecclesiastical mat
ters, and to confne the operations and su-
premacy of the State to matters purely polit-
ical. It would seem, therefore, that, unless
the Government should resolve to abandon
this policy, it will not interfere to take the
election of the Pope outside Of the body
where the power has existed SO long to give
it to the people Of Rome.
The mode and manner of appointing Bish-
ops of the Church have varied at times and
places. Originally the pastors were selected
by the people over whom they were to pre-
side. Some of the most illustrious prelates
of the early Church were thus selected. In
time this method, like all things human, led
~ rohu tod al
tions, and rivalries, and angry contentious,
leading to divisions and strifes not only be-
tween claimants, but between factions Of tho
people. The last appeal was, of course, to
Rome. Regulations differing at times and in
countries were adopted. The union Of the
State and the Church led to the appoint
ments of Bishops.by the sovereigns of the
various countries. This in like manner led
to abuses The nomination of Bishops is
now and has for long time been vested &C
cording to circumstances variously, but the
power of appointment is exercised at Rome.
Similarly, the mode Of electing the
Pope has materially changed At first he
was elected as Bishops were, by the clergy
and people Of his immediate diocese. These
elections. were in time prolific Of conflicts.
Finally, about 1859, Pope NICHOLAS II. con-
stituted the College Of Cardinals as the ex-
elusive electoral body. The election Of the
Popes has been exercised by that body down
to the present day. The disturbances which
had actually taken place in the Church and
among Governments growing out of disput- !
ed elections OF Popes were cited as one of |
$1rn T..
confined to particular body Of the prelates |
of the Church. In later days the Govern
ments Of Austria, France, and Spain claimed |
tho right of veto upon elections of Popes
made by the College. This right has been
recognized and admitted at times, and repu-
dated at others, according to the peculiar
circumstances of the case.
In the College of Cardinals there are rep
resentatives of nearly all countries, but the
body itself may be said to be made up of
Italians AL the Cardinals Of the present
day, We believe, have been appointed by
P1us TX, he having outlived all those who
were members at the time of his election in
1916. Practically, therefore, the election Of
the Pope is in the hands, if not Of Romans,
RG 4HASL Oh 1Lul1Au8. lOe Cl6llQ tUAG LQe pe0- |
pie of Rome have any special right in the
election of the Pope is hardly consistent with
the existing condition Of the Papacy. When
the Pope was temporal Prince of Rome, as
well as head of the Church, there may have
been q pretext for their exclusive right to
elect their own Prince as well as Bishop.
But the Pope is no longer temporal
sovereign, and is not recognized as such by
Rny Government or nation. The Society
which claims for the people and clergy of
Rome the right to elect the Pope expressly
denies any temporal authority of the Pope
in that city or elsewhere. The London
Saturday Reosew, in discussing the purposes
Of this Society, says:
How far it would be advisable at the present day
10 revive the practice Of the first thousand years Of
Church history, and restore to the Roman clergy
Ind people the vote which for the last eight cen
uries has been transferred to the College of Cardi-
nals, may well be questioned The Pope, on any
theory Of his Office which makes it worth discuss