The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-08
A SPEECH BY THE POPE.
He Declares His Situation in Rome Is BecOm-
ing More and More Intolerable.


ing More and More Int0lerable.
ROME, Jan. 1O-The Sacred College on the
Oath of December every years calls in a body.
and officially, on the Pope to present the comph-
ments of the day. 1t is the duty Of the dean of
the cardinals to make a speech. 1t has always
been customary to give more or less Of a politi-
cal turn to the speech, and in replying to this
address the Popes have always availed them
selves Of the opportunity to manifest their
opinions on current events. This year the
Sacred College called as usual, and the new
Cardinal Dean Sacconi addressed his Holiness.
and took occasion to refer in terms of condem-
nation to the misrepresentation spread by the
Pope's enemies of his recent gift of a million
francs to found hospital and guard against
the scourge of cholera. The Pope appeared to
be we'll pleased with the note struck in the ad-
dress, and, standing upon his throne and
waving his trembling hand, he spoke in reply:
''The annual occurrence of Christmas day.
which causes great Joy to the church. brings
also great joy to US, and makes very grateful
for the wishes for prosperity which your Emil
nence for the first time has offered to US in the
name of the whole Sacred College, This Joy
would be for us brighter and more joyful if
times were less sad for the church, and we could
have less difficulties to encounter IL her gov
eminent Among these difficulties the greatest
is that which affects present condition,
which have always declared unbearable;
and daily events show that really it is becoming
more and more intolerable. This just ending
year has put in evidence, as your Eminence has
remarked that in these actual circumstances
not even the exercise of charity remains possible
for the Pope here in his own Rome. All remem-
Der how bitterly the majority of the press at
tackled design of opening, in case of necessity,
hospital near to our Vatican residence, at our
own expense. All remember the perfdious in
situations anu interpretations with which it was
misrepresented, and with what arts and threats
its execution was thwarted, and how it became
an occasion by which we were obliged to take all
the bitterness of that new new order of things
which has reduced us to the condition of simple
private citizen.
"But this is not all, nor the worst. It gives
us great regret and deep sorrow to behold the in
fanny with which heretical doctrines are spread,
and the most sacred dogmas of our very holy re-
lgion are attacked here in Rome, the center of
faith and the seat of the universal and infallble
teaching of the church; here where integrity of
faith ought to be protected in the most efficient
manner and the honor of the only true religion
preserved. 1t is heartrendng to see how. under
protection of public law, the churches of dissent
ers are daily increasing here and it Is permitted
even here in Rome to attack openly the most
precious and beautiful unity of Italy, namely,
religious unity, through the mad attempts of
those who undertake the impious task of eStab-
fishing in Italy new church outside of the only
rock established by Jesus Christ as foundation
for its everlasting heavenly construction.
''And yet we have reason to fearn and very
serious offenses against religion and the church.
The divorce bill has been presented to Parlia-
mentlagain; bill which, in many instances, al
lowing the dissolution of the marital bond, goes
directly against that precept given to man in the
worlds beginning What. therefore, God hath
Joined together let no man put asunder;' a bill
which is repugnant to the teaching of Jesus
Christ the legislator universal, and to the whole
economy of the church with regard to marriage;
bill which does not recognize in this great sac
rament the sublime excellence with which our
Lord ennobled it, and brings it down to the
level of a mere civil contract bill which deg
radates woman and humiliates her; bill which
compromises the education and welfare of chill
dren, and breaks the bonds of domestic society
and dissolves it; which spre ads discord among
families, and is source of corruption for public
manners, and principle of ruinous decay for
states
1.-THE experience of no distant times has been
so bitter and sad as to force the authors of di-
vorce laws to Peestablish by their codes the in
dissolubiity of marriage. Yet if the desire of
sects and the vote of FreemasoEs should prevail,
one would SEQ promulgated from Rome-frem
which only the parent light OF revealed
truth and tho splender of Catholic life ought to
start-a law utterly opposed to Catholic prin-
ciples.
'tIf God will grant that such great misfor-
tune may be warded off from Italy, we shall
thank Him with the deepest feelings of graft
tude; but we cannot remain without the most
grievous fears as long as the present condition
Of things lasts AS the present order is contrary
to the dignity and independence of the sover-
eign Pontifcate and impairs the liberty of the
Roman pastors in the exercise Of their supreme
power, it must needs make US feel more and
more the weight of other peoples domination.
and also make the Christian world understand
more and more clearly the impossibility of sub
mitting to such state of things and of remain
ing Indifferent under it.
''The Son of God, having become o man. who,
though infant, ESCAPED the persecution of the
impious, and with His divine virtue changed
the face Of the universe, viii. no doubt help His
afflicted church and ameliorate the lot of His
unworthy vicar. But let Catholics of the whole