The sun., 1881-06-19
The News from the Vatican.


The News from the Vatican.
According to telegram from Rome,
Father CURoI's book entitled "New Italy
and Old Zcalots" is to be placed on the
h,der Erpugatorius. To those who have
followed with interest the course OF LEO
XIII. such step will have the Importance
of political event, for 1t will put an end to
the hope Of an understanding between the
Vatican and the kingdom Of Italy during
the present pontitcate.
1t seems that in his now work Father
CURCI merely reafllrms the opinions which
he has repeatedly advocated with energy
and eloquence, and which formerly exposed
him to expulsion from the Jesuit order, and
to the severe censure OF Plus TX. Those
opinions were that the temporal power OF
the Papacy had vanished, and that 1t was
the part OF wise and Jealous sons OF the
Church to accept an irreparable fact, and
make the best OF the world they live in. AS
regards tho Italian monarchy, he urged
that the Vatican II unprepared to recog-
nize its legitimacy, should at least admit
its de fdcto existence, and assent to some
modus virendi by which its relations with the
Quirinal Government might be provision
ally regulated. Above all, he counsclled the
resembling Of the Papal prohibition by
which tho faithful were forbidden either to
vote or to take Office under the new admin
istration. For Catholics to hold themselves
persistently aloof from the polls was, in his
Judgment, to sacrifice the influence which
they might exercise with advantage to the
Church in the affairs of the peninsula.
These views, which had involved their
champion in serious difficulties. began to be
examined with great attention throughout
Italy, when it was whispered that they were
not by any means regarded with disfavor
by the new Pontiff. 1t is certain that the
Pope's brother now Cardinal PEccI, made
no secret OF his esteem and friendship for
Father CURcI, whom he frequently received
on the most intimate footing in his apart
ments at the Vatican. Nor was it doubted,
in quarters usually well informed, that LEO
XIII. himself had more than one conference
with his brothers friend. At all events, the
Pope signified, in an unmistakable way, his
approval of Father CURcIs translation Of
the New Testament, mark OF recognition
which the author would assuredly have
sought In vain from his predecessor.
1t is well known, however, that majority
of tho Sacred College adheres firmly to the
policy OF Plus IN, and remains implacably
hostile to the Savoyard dynasty, which 1t
looks upon as the sacrilegious spoliator OF
the Church. Although, therefore, the pres
ent Pontiff may have been personally inclined
to regard Father CURCI's suggestions with
tolerance, II not with sympathy, he could
not venture In his extremely difficult situa-
tion to run counter 70 opinions which were
dominant in the Curia. For some time, in
deed, there have been signs that even the
slight measure OF countenance at first ex-
tended to the heterodox author had been
withdrawn. Father CURcI left Rome, and
has lately been living at Naples, where it
was observed that, although he was
allowed to celebrate mass, permission to
preach had not yet been given him. His
pen, however, has been busy, and In the
brochure New Italy and Old Zealots" he
has tried once moro to reconcile the Church
to the territorial unity and constitutional
freedom OF the Italian kingdom.
That the Pope should have convoked q
congregation of Cardinals to pronounce upon
| this book will generally be looked upon as a
| victory for the reactionary party in the
Sacred College. The circumstances are ia
vorable TO the ascendancy Of their views.
| With the friendship of the French republic
the Italian monarchy loses one Of Its most
substantial guarantees, and those members
| OF the Curia who have not abandoned the
| hope OF recovering the temporal possessions
OF the Papacy, can hardly fail to see
with satisfaction the acrimonious rela-
tions now existing between France and
Italy. The truth s that since BISMARCK S
curt refusal to interfere in the Tunisian
affair, and his manifest desire to conciiate
France, the peninsular kingdom has begun
to feel herself unpeasantly isolated. And
it is striking coincidence that the Vatican
chooses such moment to set at rest the
doubts which have at times hung over it's
intentions, and by placing Father CURcIs
book under the ban, to proclaim its uncom-
promising refusal to recognize the Quirinal
| Government.