The Irish standard., 1895-05-11
ROME and ANGLICANISM
Pope Leo's Hope OF Uniting the
Two Churches, as Viewed by
..Lunoninato.'
His Different Interviews With
Cardinal Vaughan and Lord
mn
s3t Halifax.

The (nurCE MISSION is mol IO
Divide but Unite, Not Imbit-
!, Ter But Appease.
Among the few rare men whom his
4 tory records as standing above all 9TH
ers, the only one perhaps possessing a
personal charm, is Leo Kill, says In
nominate in the New York Sun. His
stateliness is always easy and natural,
there is no attempt at mere show, moth
ing affected or theatrical, no semblance
OF having attained by effort the pinnacle
of supreme power, but rather of having
reached it by easy steps. Hence springs
the attraction which he inspires in his
and more by those who study the order
and harmony Of his acts. This charac-
ter of serene ease, of Olympic calm, has
been shown distinctly in the great mat
ter of Anglicanism to Rome. You know
the facts. In consequence of reports
coming from England and from the
United States after the apostolic letter
Praeclara, Leo XIII. conversed with Bal
bus, the amiable author Of the famous
/ pamphlet on the validity of Anglican
orders, about the possibility OF renewing
relations with the Church Of England
He studied all sides Of the question; he
had reports drawn up. He called to
Rome Cardinal Vaughan, whose latent
hostility toward any systematic action
he knew. The successor of the great
Manning did not come up to the expec-
tations Of the Holy Father. His mind
and soul are not great enough to grasp
the grandeur Of this work of peace and
light. Highly esteemed by the Propa-
5Ganda, he had stepped into the glorious
place Of Manning, but attached to the
4 old conservative party, bound up in the
old ideas that that implies, very pious,
but with little intelligence, he abandon
cd the ways OF Cardinal Manning, so full
4ol the modern spirit and of greatness.
ION this occasion he has not under
stood the signs Of the time nor the de-
sires of Leo XIII. He has declared that
there is no Importance In the movement
to draw closer to Rome; he has asserted
that the factions would never come to
an understanding with the Papacy. In
his talk with persons of less exalted
rank he has called this work chimeri-
cal, a utopian dream, as If all the great
undertakings had not been stigmatized
with these epithets by minds unable to
leave the ruts. He added that when the
! Anglican Church was disestablished it
would break up for good, without ever
attaining again strong and enduring
religious life.
1t is he, too, who, believing that in
dividual conversions alone are possible,
asked the Inquisition to declare Anglic-
an orders invalid. In his opinion this
condemnation would give the last, NOR
tai blow to the Anglican cause. It would
seem that several Cardinals agreed with
Civitta Cattolica had made ready three
articles to Justify scientifically the de-
lesion of the Inquisition.
4, The Pope was on his guard. He was
able to keep his ideal above rivalries and
passions. He has borne himself with
the ease / described above throughout
the struggle. He himself consulted the
foreign theologians, the Able Duchesne,
row director Of the French School Of
History at Rome, a savant of the highest
rank, mem ber Of the Institute and
professor at the Catholic University Of
Paris. This authority in matters ec-.
clestastical concluded his report by af-
frn1lng the validity Of Anglican orders.
such decision, based on broad and
mr. m foundations made an impression all
the stronger In that it agreed with the
secret wishes of the Holy Father. Leo
XIII. congratulated the Able Duchesne
In a letter and sent him the great medal
OF the Holy Sec. With like delight Leo
Kill. received the learned and judicious
work OF Able Bouguillon, professor at
the University at Washin gton-the same
arguments, the same conclusions AS
those of Able Duchesne. 1t is asserted
that some theologians at Rome. fright
ened at this boldness, thought of having
the TWO reports condemned by the In
quisition. Cardinal Vaughan seemed
scandalized at such concession made to
Angl1canlsm. Not less pleasing to the
POpe's mind was the conciliating Inter
vent1on OF the Benedictines, especially
those In Belgium, who enjoy the conf |
dence and esteem Of the Sovereign Pom
TIN. They pointed out with eminent
good sense that to open negotiations
with Anglican groups by an act Of con-
demnation would be to turn away from
the goal and to trample under foot the
elementary principles Of diplomacy,
ThereupOn Leo XIII. expressed the de-
sire to speak with Lord Halifax. the
friend OF Balbus, and president Of the
Protestant Union Of England. A religious
man. OF rare elevation of mind and char
acter, favorable to an understanding l
with Rome on the basis Of broad feder-
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