The St. Johns herald., 1890-11-06
Civilization VS. Catholicism.

from Naples containing the follow ing remarkable narrative:
 "Naples, October GA remarka- ble case of religious fanaticism has just been brought to light here. In a secluded quarter stands a conven- tual establishment, known as the .Nunnery of the Buried Alive that certainly has been closed to all pub lie knowledge and investigation for generations. Report adds that the religious authorities have prescribed the same secresy for the past four hundred years regarding what has happened within its walls and the character of its inmates.
 "The yell, however, is at last Ie- moved, and citizens are lost in amazement that such scenes could for years have been enacted in a civilized land with no note of warn ing sounded. The present revela- tion is due to the fact that young girl, crossed in love, was incarce- rated within its walls. Her parents, while at first consenting to her ban ishment, finally became alarmed at their inability to communicate with her, and appealed to the police.
 "The civil authorities raided the place on Saturday under an order issued by the minister of justice. The door-keeper stoutly resisted, but was overpowercd by the gen. darmes, who soon found their way into the cells, where sixteen nuns were found in condition border ing on insanity. They were scantily covered with rags, and their sur roundings were filthy in the ex- treme. Many of the poor creatures had forgotten how to talk and were hardly human in their demeanor. Those who could be induced to speak protested that they were. per fectly satisfied with their fate. The young girl for whom the quest was made was found reduced to a mere skeleton. Her parents are nearly crazed with grief at the result of their conduct, though they acted for what they honestly considered the girls best interests.
 "The establishment has, of course, been closed, and the victims re- moved to one of the public institu- tions, where they will be we'll cared for. The governor of Naples has ordered the fullest investigation, with a view to punishing those who shall be found to be responsible.
 Members of the police force have been ordered to make raids on all South Italian nunneries that are closed to the public. Cardinal San Felice left here to-day for Rome, ill order to obtain instructions from the Pope on the subject"
 The San Francisco Argonaut comments on the above in the fol- lowing caustic manner:
 This is, indeed, a remarkable case of religious fanaticism." This "Nunnery of the Buried Alive" is an ancient and venerable institution of the holy Roman Church. It has endured for four hundred years, this place where young maidens have starved and been tortured The veil that has hidden this place of torment has been torn away by the same infidel sentiment that caused the statue of Giordano Bru- no to be unveiled by Italian stu dents. It seems to bring down to us in this age of agnosticism and free inquiry. this nineteenth cen tury, the darkness and horrors of a night that we had supposed was passed and ended. It revives the memories of the dungeons, of the Inquisition, of the auto-da-f6 where unbelieving martyrs were burned j; the era of the boot. the rack. the