The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-06-10
THE TICTORY OF THE CHURCH OYER
REVOL UTION.
(London Register, May 10. }


ment has caused much excitement as that
on the Clerical Abuses Bill" For nine days
the angry contest was continued, every
Deputy being present in his place, and the gal
leries being crowded with listeners. The vic
tory on either side would be important beyond
any victory obtained in the italian Parlia.
future of Italy, but of the relations of Italy
with the Csiholic world. This was felt by all
present to be the case. The superficial at
tempts which were made to exclude "foreign-
ers" fIom exercising any Influence on the Par.
lament only proved how very real was the
sconviction THAT "foreigners' bad every inten-
tion of being heard. 1t was light matter
for Catholic Italy to cffend the sentiment of
the Catholic world nor would it have been a
wise policy to stimulate that world into open
resentment or battle. We give little credit to
the revolutionary Government for tenderness
of conscience or for repentance we are sure
that the majority was wrung from q Parlia-
msnt inspired in the main by alarm.
The arguments which we're urged against
the anti Christian Bill, especially by Signor
Carlo Cadorna, were powerful from the
political point of view, that the religious
point of view was not needed. These argu-
Inents may be summed up as follows: First,
the new Bill was essentially class Bill aimed
at one section of citizens; and, consequently,
1t was Bill most iuvidious and equiVocal, or
rather most uDgenerons and unjust. No real
statesman ever aims blows at q class, unless
that class is believed to be anti-national; but
tosay II q tthe Catholic clergy are ant-n alton Al
is to contalics the religious sentiment of
u,
but Catholic before all things in the world.
When the Pope was made the object of insult,
the whole Italian nation as outrage for that
nation has derived all its bonors from the
presence of the Pontiff at Rome. Secondly,
the destruction of liberty of conscience which
was designed, and would have been perfected
by this Bill, was sorry comment on that
glorious religions freedom which was supposed
to be the bulwark of revolution. Revolution
means. alphabetically, freedom /; the new Bill
meant, practically, tyranny. The new Bill
the main principle, profession of the Gov
ment. Thirdly, Cavour's policy of "a free
Church in q free State" was reversed by this
iniquitous Bill for the freedom to be
wholly with the State, which might torture
the Church as it pleased. Fourthly, there
was no tangible pretext for the introduction
Of new measures of severity, since the measures
which exist are already quite deepoLic in the
direction of the supremacy of the State
Fiftbly, the new Bill was q practical revooo-
tior of what had been called "Ghe Law of Pa
pal Guarantees )" that law giving TO the Pope
a full spiritual autocracy in the direction and
government of the clergy. Added to these
reasons were three others, of different COM
pess OF kind, but each in itself very strong.
Fret, 1t had never been demonstrated-it had
not even been asserted-that Italian priests
had broken the new laws. There Was no plea,
therefore, for restraining such tendencies. On
Sne contrary, It was urged, and no one could
contradict this, that the italian clergy were
exceedingly good citizens, that they had set an
example of Law. keeping to the laity, and that
tney hAd even done more in the way of pre-
serving national quiet than any other section
OF the community. second reason, which
was very powerfully urged, was that to "Op-
press" is as the same time to 'excite :" and
that the new Bill would necessarily make
enemies of those who had thus far been pa
tient. Thirdly-and here we touch the
strongest argument which could weigh with .
Evolutionary GOvernment-it was manifest
that to offend foreign nations was 1ot the best
way to conciliate them, and that therefore
italy" which sadly wanted friends, should
not alienate half the Christians in the world.
ibis was undoubtiy that inVincible argument
NWhlch won the majority in the Parliament.
zen who care little for religion, and CORES |
rr;Ssnolngy little for honor, do not like to sac
nocS See that popular favor which is absolutely
in an A9nry to success. To have excited distrust
fIiscn.t rotestant minds, and repugnance and
noiic In all Catholics, was not precisely
Tvaic9Sr,w which speculative revolution would
hs1a has as conducive to power. 1t would
not oeFosSn, indeed, suicidal. "Italy" could
as ELI u 20 6ave it said that she was bully,
abe EoriJ "a = thief SO she "threw out" what |
~ Lu .' nave loved to make law.i
onir,. .T9ueh :. Nc Touch once more that delicate en-
9uttyI What do we understand by tItaly YD |
Si us answer plainly that the Governments of |
1HS9OE Onpreti is no more ItaIv than il is Ire
HN 1Sn4 or Spain. 1t is a larnentabIa fact that
oNa Eatnolc nations will not exert themselyea to
S Inndei Deputies, but will sit natientlv or
msn - sln9e saying their prayers while such
70 T.e s5e being returned to tlseir ParIiaunent.
V-osssay were so be pOlled--aII men and al |
evi-,s.s Sao &aa arrived at Al ara to FORM |
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