The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-25
FATHER CURCIAND CHURCH AND STATE
IN ITALY.
London Tablet, Nov. >.

The papers have been foil of the separation
OF Father curei from the society of Jesus. We
do not know that We can add anything to the
| statements OF the Press on this subject, and
we certainly cannot guarantee the entire ao-
curacy of those statements It has been mat
ter of notoriety that differences ,havo existed
for many years between Father Curci aud his
superiors on the subject Of the relations be-
tween Church and State in Italy, and we
believe Father curci was directed not to ,pnb-
lish anything more on the subject. This in
junction the Rev. Father obeyed but he is
etated to have written . private leGter to the
Holy Father, explaining and defending bis
peculiar views. This letter, through the indis-
cretion of some one else is said TO have found
its gay into the public journals; and the sub.
ject being thus revived, the difference cuniin-
ated in the departure of Father Curci from the
Society. The summary which tho correspond
ent of the London STANDARD furnishes of the
paper submitted by Father Curoi to His Holi-
ness will, II it be admitted to be correct con-
Vince most people tba the Rev. Fathers plans
were ehimerical, and, If the attitude Of the
! Holy See towards the present Government Of
Italy be considered, open 70 the obsrge of q
boweves ifsc6 to LOOK upon them as . real
| danger, at tending to the advantage of the
Church rather than the State. And we think
that the Standard is right in fading the reason
for this in the fact /" that If a recon ciled King
and Pope were to summon the present electors
to return q Chamber of Deputies, with the
purpose of using in accord all the means at the
disposal of either of them for securing tbe
return of Csthoic-minded. OF at least Catholic
protesting deputies, they would be entirely
successful."
Catholics, and if they could conscientiously
vote, and the relations between the Holy See
and the italian Government were friendly,
there can be no doubt that Catholic majority
would be returned. But in the present state
of things the basis for snch friendly relations
is wanting, and here is the weak point in Fa
ther CuTci'a scheme.
The following is a translation of the declara-
Father in rel, 1n
his present position with regard to the Society
As many persons haVe spoken of it with
great inexactitnde, jndge it opportune that
very grave fact which concerns me should be
known directly from myself After belonging
TO it for more than tifty-ofie years, am to-day
by lawful authority separaEed from the Com
psny Of Jesus, although still remaining united
TO it in mind aud heart, as have always been.
For myself, especially in the decline OF life,
this Ia doubtless great misfortune (sreRturG)
but am supported by the conviction that
there has not been on my part any offence
against God and this has been the judgment
of pious and learned theologiaps at Rome.
Nevertheless, it would be very agreeable TO mo
it ali who know me, aud especially those who
love me- would suspend their judgment for Q
few moDths-it Is always soon enough to take
scandal-until shall have published q paper,
stances of this fact, or those which are irreie-
want TO it, feel confident that Ehall be able |
TO render 20 Holy Chorch and to my country q
service which cannot, under present ciTcom-
oJhuCebl uOCOApIloh' Al ouy Sooo onI AoSoANSNB
by the grace of God, to keep myself for the
fntore, even more than in time past, very snb !
mlssive TO the supreme authority of the Church, |
and if / have, in so bstance OF in form, invOlun-
tarily been wanting in such submissiveuesP, |
my Intention n that, 30 far as in me lies, this |
shall be corrected and snnulled. request the |
journals which may speak of me or my affairs |
TO reproduce this declaration, and would far |
ther request them, if il be possible, not TO
occupy themselves Herewith, at least for the
present.
(SiRned) G. III. CURcr.
Florence, October 25, 1877"
A letter from F. Beckx, the Father General |
of the Jesuits, made public in Rome on We'd |
nesday, aocedes with grief, says the telegram,
to the request of Father Curci to be removed
from the Society. 1t is not therefore true, 40
has been stated, that the reverend father has |
been "expelled" from the Company.