The Irish standard., 1895-11-09
PAPlI RlISID|ENCE.
ssvlgnon oners the Famous Palaoe.
es Hons for His
Holiness. #
faE ANSWER MADE bY TIE PopE.
Pasteur's Life Shows That Soloncs
Need N-t Conflict WITH
Religion.

ing:
The holy father in the midst of the bit
terness Of the Italian celebrations OF
september 20, had one consolation. Mon
sieur p. Chenard tells us all about 1t.
This gentleman had been commissioned
By the municipal authorities to wait on
Cardinal llampolla and make proposals
with view to the presentation OF the
famous castle of the pope at Avlgnon to
the sovereign pontiff. 1t is now IN Oh
lapidateti condition, covered with white
wash and plaster and used as a barracks.
But the Ayignonnais propose to change
ali that. Barracks will be built elese-
where. costing a million francs. inc
restoration furnishing Of the castle will
cost six or seven millions more. A Dig
expense but the town is ambitious and
I1opes to restore the ancient glorles. lhe
future OF the Holy See is gloomy; it may
happen that the popes will be forced to
leave Rome, Or it may be convenient TO
md filter place to hold conclaVe
without Interference. In any case, the
carving out Of such an enterprise would
have the effect OF drawing visitors from
all quarters Of the globe. Cardinal Ram-
yoIla could scarcely believe his ears when
N. Chanard explained his mission. his
e,ainence full of wonder asked what were
the political sentiments OF this munlcl-
paiity. Radical replied M. Chenard,
and the overtnres l am making only
serve 10 show that radicallism can be al
iis, with patriotism and political good
sense" These are points which were
submitted 10 the holy father:
u. Whether the restoration OF the
papal palace and the proposed donation
10 the Holy See would be agreeable and
a,.cencanle to the Holy Father.
80. In what form would the Holy See
WISH he question to be treated.
"s. Would the Holy See appoint
speciaI committee to consult the treas
ures OF the vatican library, to search for
documents, manuscripts, designs, en-
cravings. pictures, objects OF art, furnl-
tnre, etc, referring to the palace or hay
ing belonged to it.
II. Finally to support the efforts OF
the municipality by an appeal to the up
v,er clergy and more influential members
c. the Catholic world.
Cardinal Rampolla, as have said, was
rayished with the idea and told M. Che-
nard tc call the following day for his an
swer. The next day, September Is, be-
r1onr
at his post His eninence was cordial
isy itself. Even M. Chenard was a per-
soma g.atissima. The answer OF the pope
was as follows: With regard to the first
and second points, Leo XIII. desired to
wait until the French government had
agreed 10 the proposed enterprise. In
The meanwhile his holiness sincerely
thanked the town and municipality Of
Avisnon for their good intentions. He
also expres sed his desire that the restora-
ton OF the palace should be rapidly ac-
complished and that Avignon's desire
should be realized. (The holy father,
you know, said the cardinal, cannot COM
nit himself to any decision until the Of
fer is made officially and through the
usual diplomatic channel.) With re-
gard TO the third point, the pope agreed,
and in fact, gave immediate orders for
sill documents relating to Avignon to be
at once classified. The holy father also
consented to the last point. ..
Satisfied with this result, M. Chenard
went TO the French ambassador and ac-
~ oil hot had ma
His excelIency thanked him warmly and
congratulated him on his success. And
so the mat ter stands at present. The
government, of course, is acquainted
with ali that has passed, and should not
be at all surprised if the scheme exactly
fell in with the Frenzy policy i'll view ct
an approaching conclave. At all events
this little history forms very happy
appendix to NJ Emile Ollivier's opinion
that he time was ripe for foreign pope.
T'ruely the French are wonderful peO-
Die.
The press of the entire world has rem
dered homage to the transcendental tai
ents of Pasteur, but few journals have
had the courage to lift the veil which
covered the Christian side of the great
scientists character His life was a re-
futation of the fallacy that science and
IekiStDu die uCOtI VI St1NAi OLuO4s
Pasteur was good practical Catholic,
proud OF his faith and ready to defend it
under any circumstances. He was a
regular attendant at mass and never neg
lected the faithful reception of the sacra-
ments. His household was simple, de-
vout and well ordered. Every penny he
acquired was devoted either to his be-
loved institute or to the poor. He was
loud in proclaiming the necessity OF
Christian inctruction for the. young. He
was a deadly enemy Of the p0sttivists
and those who attacked the church. On
one occasion he took part, by way of pro-
test, in public procession which a big
ored, free thought mayor had prohibited.
One OF his great consultations was the
telegram containing the pope's blessing
and good wishes on each New Years day.
X hist being Amounted the good old man
Joined his hands in an attitude Of fer
vent prayer and his death was that OF the /
lust. No public man was ever better
loved and revered in France. He was in
truth a Pasteur of the people in the best
sense of the word When stood in the
nortuary chamber 1 could not help be-
ing struck with the pre-eminece given to
religion. Placed. upon the head Of thel
CONN. on 81 cushion, was small silver
crucifix. Kneeling by the bier were two
sisters, praying for the departed soul.
AGAINST the. wall was temporary altar, ii
aaal as ~ 3