The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-03-03
Pope Leo XlII.-Deputy Bonghi.


it's tone about him. They find he is not ae
much q moderate" as they expected him
to be-, They say that LEO XIII shows
himself very different man from Cardinal
Pecci.
Has there really been change in his
viewsf Has the weight of his responsible
ity urged him to new reflections and diff
ferent conclusions from those of his pre-
vious lifef But all have praised him.
Even the,enemies of the Church have given
testimony to the superior qualities of his
mind, to the strength of his character, and
to the gentle affections of his heart
Such a man could not change all his
views and dispositions in 80 short time,
unless through miracle.
But there is no room for a miracle in this
case, except tho miraculous ignorance
about Gods Church and her principles,
that pervades the minds of 80 many rulers
of governments and leaders of the public
press.
Pope Leo XIII has the same spirit of
moderation that animated Cardinal Pecci,
but snch is the spirit prevailing in govern
ments and through all modern society, that
it forces into antagonsm any Pontiff how
ever moderate, and, indeed, every earnest
Christian who holds tue faith and stead
fastly regards heaven as more valuable
than earth, and fears God more than men.
And this is not theoretical view made
up for the occasion. We have a very
interesting testimony in the matter, as
regards Cardinal Pecci in particular, writ
ten nearly two years ego.
Sgr. Bonghi, an Italian Depaty, pub
lished in 1876 book partly written in
1872, entitled Plus TX and the Future
Pope.
He avows himself an adherent of the
civil power, and he thinks the Church
ought to change her views with regard to
modern society and the spirit of the age.
But he confesses that, considering the
Church and the civil governments as they
are, no Pope, however moderate, can effect
harmony between them.
He discusses the qualifications of several
of the Cardinals, and the probabilities for
and against their being elected to succeed
Plus X.
He divides the Cardinals into two classes,
the one, he says of extreme views, and the
other moderate in their spirit and his
sagacity is evinced in the fact that Cardinal
Pecci is the very one he puts fret on this
second list. But he goes on to caution his
readers against expecting any Cardinal to
make a radical change in the course pur-
sued by Pope Plus / X. Here are his words,
p. 155.
"But it is important for to understand
we'll that, while it is not to bs denied that
there will be difference between the conduct
of one Pope aud of another, in the government
of the Church in its relations to Italy and to
| other civil states, yet IT fs we'll not to expect
too much difference between them. Cardinal
Pecci is certainly one of the most choice minds
in the Sacred College, aud his disposition is
| one of the most temperate, and if energetic,
yet most correct among them all. He has
made good studies; he has shown wisdom in
his administration; he has been an exemplary
| Bishop. The ideal of o Cardinal is q very
Cardinal Peoci has realized it in his own life.
| And yet his view of the actual condition of
| the Church and of civil society is not one bit
more cheerful nor more encouraging than that
| Of any OF his colleagues. Like them, he can
not see any field for work, nor any position
left to the Church in the face of the civil gov.
ernments, such ss they exist now unless they
| first disbspd themselves.
I
and laity of his diocese of Perdgia, in the Lem
Of 1875, he writes in this tone ef heavy anc
heaItt sadness: Human Reason, like thu
Mt of Sin described by st. Paul, rises in revolt
with it's weapon of negation; sets itself abov'
all that is called God takes profsne posses
sion of the Temple. and, driving out th
ancient Lord of the Temple, parades itself fo
God in His place. Tell me, my dearly beloved
what place is there left in this world for tn
Creator and Redeemer of Mani Alas if h
still finds a shelter in the hearts of the faithful
few as they ir the world if there ar
still some souls at whose door He knocks an
hears an answer; yet speaking of society a
large, lie has no home left for Him on eartt
In the name of science He is banished fror
the region of beings to crafty proud spri
f of independence, lie is exclnded from teachin
under pretext of liberty, He is driven froI
His dominion of morals The cry Of the W
, happy clans: we will not have this ma
reign over u.s. never gounded more noisy nc
3 more aUdacous than 10 our day.
Well" "subjoins Sgr Bonghi, I'VE will not di
t cuss tho correctness of this, should nc
agree about it. But if it is SO, if, as this mo:
excellent man writes to his took, there is L
place left for Christ, what place can be lie
for Chriat'6 yicar 7D