The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-03
DEMOLITION OF THREE CHURCHES IN
ROME.

The Government has seized three
churches, those of st. Teresa, The Incarna-
tion, and ST. Caius, which stand on the
road leading from the Quatro Fontane to
Porta Pia, This road used to be called the
Via di Porta PIa, but after the entrance of
the Italians in 1870 the name was changed to
that of the Street of the Goth of September,
to commemorate the capture of Rome. 1t
would seem that the Liberals who approve
that act of perfdy and violence, abhor
churches, and especially the three churches
in question, which perhaps excite unplea-
sanJ thoughts concerning the breach of
Porta Pia and the breach of the Convention
and of the solemn pledges given to respect
the Pope and the Catholic religion. Be
this as it may, the demolition of the three
churches was resolved upon. Such demo
lition would seem to be contrary not merely
to the public law of all civilized nations
which respects things sacred to religion, but
also to the wording of the Suppression Act.
The converts attached to tnese churches
were appropriated, but the churches were
exempted. The General Decree, dated
August 9Th, 1871, under which the coavents
and monasteries were seized, contained
express provisions by which the churches
were protected. At that time the destruc-
tion of the churches was not contemplated.
But the GiuntG Liquidatrice lately issued
an order, directed to the sacrisJans of the
several churches, commanding them to give
up possession of the church on Saturday,
July %, at farthest. The keys were to he
given to the military authorities. The
vestments for the use of the priests, and
the altar ornaments we're to be- hauded over
to the officers of the Giunta, to be subse
Quently disposed of by them. The Cardinal
Vicar of RoTe, when this intended sacri !
lege came to hIs care, at once drew up a
protest IN the Uame of the Holy Father,
and sent it to the Premier DepreIls, the
President Of the Council of Ministers. In
h.. a..
seizure of the churches as an abuse of au
thOrlty, and quoted the decree by which the
occupation OF churches WAS forbidden. The
response to this protest vas an inJimation
from the Giunte, insisting on the lmme-
nlate surrender of the churches, in order
Lnat the work of destroying them might
oesln forthwith. At the same time it was
hluted that the eccesiastical authorities
should lose no tims IN removing the sacred
relics if they wished TO save them from
desecration. Plus TX now gave II special
order TO tho Cardlnai Vicar To renew his |
protest IN the strongest terms against the I
threatened sacTilege to b5 committed under |
the rule Catholic Sovereign, and under a |
constitution of which the first article was
one declaring the Catholic reli Son to be
the religion of the State. This second pro
test was met by declaration OF the Pfesi.
dent of the Council to the effect that the
appropriation OF the three churches had |
been executed regularly, and that there !
fore he had no Intention of interfering.
This arbitrary act shows what can be done,
and will assuredly be done under the Ital
ian Government The situation of the |
Pontiff is truly painful, while his office
and rule are thus set at defiance by the !
civil power. The relics and crosses and !
some OF the tumbs were taken away by tue
authorities by permission Of |
the Giunta. The churches themselves are
to be made the site of public Offices. The
H.,
is evident, when it is cunsldered how many
pieces Of ground are in Rome, and
in the very vicinity of these churches, on
which public offices Gd imtinitum might be
erected.