The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-30
TEE POPE

At the head OF the Roman Catholic Church
stands the Pope He Is the Supreme Pontiff.
The title of Pope is derived from a Greek
word siguifying father. The title was given
to all Bisphops until about the end of the
eleventh century, when by the order of
Gregory XIII. it was applied exclusively to
the Bishops of Rome. The Pope's temporal
power has been almost entirely Wrested from
him-but his spiritual power, however, re-
mains intact aad unquestioned. Some
time since the Pope, according to
European advices, addressed a strongly
worded letter to the Irish Catholic
Bishops, desiring them to forbid the clergy
to participate in political meetings or en-
courage subscriptions in aid of the present
agitation in Ireland. also recommending the
use of respectful language toward England.
This order of the Pope has created intense
excitement among Irish Catholics in Ireland
and America. The secular and religious
press have taken up the subject, and criti-
cisns have not, as general thing. been loyal
to the Supreme Pontf. a few extracts will
suffice. The Freeman's Journal says it is
"the most important document since Adj
rian's famous bull The Vatican is.grossly
misinformed. II it censures the illustrious
and beloved Archbishop of CRshel it must
also censure nine other distinguished pre-
lates and the entire priesthood of Ireland.
All must obey the Pope's command, but the
regeneration of Ireland will yet be
effected by the union of priests and
people," Such references as the Freeman's
Journal makes to history are well
calculated to arouse. Irish indignation,
and the fact is clearly outlined by remarks
upon the subject by the Irish Nation, which
says that ''ss regards staying agitation, it viii
be without effect. but it will react on the
Church by increasing inhdelity. 1t will
make the Irish anti Christians most decided
II. Instead OF making England Catholic it
will make Ireland Protestant. This thing
will enlarge the gap between the people AMI
the priests, which has already begun. The
dream of the Pope is to secure the conversion
of England. To attain that end he would
be willing that ireland should remain in
chains throughout eternity" Itwould seem
from sHch expressions of hostility to the
Popes letter that His Holiness has empha-
sized his fallibility when dealing with tenn
pOral fairs-as some people say, 'opened his
mouth and put his foot in It," Mr..
Thomas Brannsn, Honorary Secretary of the
IRISH National League, IS reported as saying
that when the Pope speaks excathedra from
the chair Cd St. Peter in the high authority
of his priestly Office, his opinion will be re-
spected; but when he talks Of the politics OF
Ireland We have just as much respect
for his opinion as for that OF any other man
of ability-no more and no less. If he takes
sides with England against Ireland, then we
Will be against the Pope. There was time
before the people OF Ireland became edu-
cated-When it was necessary that the priests
should take a leading part in politics, but
that time hes fortunately gone by
Such utterances express the terrible
earnestness of the Irish people in
their present struggle to free themselves
from English despotism-an esrnestness that
the DEGREES of the Vatican can do little to
sbate. Still, it is not to be denied that the
Pope's letter, which bears date of May IL, is
well calculated to make Irish priests hesitate
and halt between two opinions. They are
required to see their countrymen perish by
eviction and starvation without the privilege
of protesting in the name of the God they
worship. They are required to have the
doors of Prisons swing open on their hinges
receive Irish Catholics, and close with a clani
as the unfortunstes are shut in, without SC
much as praying that en- angel may
| come and deliver them, as in the
case OF Peter, when Herod thirsted
for the Apostles blood. True, Irish priests
may go upon the scafold and speak words O
encouragement, while the victims Of Eng
/ lands vengeance await death with heroi,
/ fortitude but they must not go forth t.
arouse the people to do and dare all thing
I in the name of liberty, becoming men created
in the image Of God. We are in no wise dis
| posedto condemn the Pope. Ordinarily speak
ing,he ought to know his own business, when
and how 10 speak what 10 favor and what Il
rebul<e, but general proposition, we be
believe that when men are lighting for iiber