The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-16

The Attitude Of the New Pope.
Whom we consider what widely different
meanings are assigned the dogma OF in
fallbility by different thcOlogians and
what caution and sagacity nrc cxactod in
the prosont rclgtiOns Of tho papa0y TO
the civil power. it is obvious that the
convictions and temper Of the now pontin
are matters ~ cXtf unc concern ~ Catholic
Christ,nduin. We have had kilograms frD m
time to time purportng ~ Disclose the apiti'
which would hcnceforth animate the Vati.
can. but the .irst authentic aud decisive ut
tcrancc Is to be- found in the allocuticu pro-
nouncrd in Consietory on the 9Sth Of March,
u literal report Of which will be- found IN
another part OF this paper.
We shall sean In vain the words Of the
Holy Father for any categorical allusion tO
the problems suggested IVY the relation of the
Apostolic See toward the Governments Of
Italy and Germany. The only reference to the
civil and political situation OF the papacy
is All expression of profound satisfaction at
tho ro6stublishmsnt OF Catholic hic-
rarchy in Germany. Tho religious his.
tory OF that country since the middle
Of tho sixteenth century unqucstiOna-
~
Significance, and may reasonably be ac-
counted u substantial and striking fruit Of
that Catholic revival among Protestant
populations which Is one Of tho most sig
nal phenomena OF our time. But natural as
s the feeling OF qualification at the REIN
statement of the Roman hierarchy In
an ancient seat long withheld it may DO
that the emphatic and exclusive stress
laid upon the circumstance carries with
II certain implication. Coupled with the
absolute silence Of the Supreme Pontin
touching other more urgent and fcrvid qucs-
tions, does II not seem to commend to the
Consistory that policy of moderation and
compromise which. pursued to such adj
vantage in England, may promise results
no less suspicious In other directions
In guarded language the new Pope afIirms
the position of the Holy See to be " critical"
dcspoiled, a. he reminds his hearers. Of its
temporal authority, and no longer clothed
with the full and independent exercise of
civil powers. But this declaration is attend
ed with no word of menace. with no asser-
ton Of vehement discomfort and aggressive
purpose, which. overpassing the bounds of
the Consistory, might probe the conscience
world. The gravity OF the crisis il not ex-
tcnuated by LEO Kill, but his wary reti
cencc az to remedies gives some color 10 the
inference that he means TO deal with 1t not
by iniiammatory appeals to the piety and
passions of the faithful, but with the self
possessed, astute, and conciliatory policy of
an Italian statesman.
One other deduction may be ventured
from these discreet and exemplary SEN
fences. 1t is, Of course, n matter Of etiquette
for the Head OF the Church to solicit in mis-
allOcutions counsel and cooperation from
the College OF Cardinals. But there have
been certificates, we need not say, when
this courteous formality has been some
what CURLY and perfunctorily performed
and when few members Of the Consistory
would have dreamed OF giving 1t a literal
construction. 1t is otherwise with the pres
ent uttcrancc.
Not lightly or briefly, but earnestly and
repeatedly the new Pope calls upon the
Sacred College to concert with him the
measures pressed upon the guardians Of
the Church by the sharp exigencies
of the time He calls to mind the i'm
prcssivo majority Of votes by which
he was called TO the Papal chair.
and seems 10 urge upon his old supporters
in the Conclave the necessity OF their con-
slant concurrence in the formulation and en-
forcement Of the Vatican policy. Now it is
we'll known that the Cardinals who saw in
Cardinal PECCI the proper successor Of PITS
*, did not include those who most
vchemcntly approved the posture of the
late Pontin toward the Italian and German
Governments. II the new Pope proposed To
follow in letter and spirit the action Of his
predecessor he would be apt to look else
where than To the majority Of the Consisto-
ry for sympathetic and effective aid. In the
present allocution, on the other hand, We
incline to see public and strenuous recog-
milton Of loyalty to the aims contemplated
by his adherents in the late Conclave.