The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-11

yslO advices received here give an inter.
stins and important communication
from Mgr. satolli 10 officials Of Guatc.
nali, concerning that couutry's follow
jus the course Of Nicaragua In sending
10 Rome IN envoy extraordinary and
minister plonipotentiafy. In the course
ol the document reference is made as to
the propriety under the United States
constitution Of official relations between
Warrington aud Rome aud an inter.
prela.iOn given Of that feature Of the
constitution relative to tho separation
Of oichurch aud state.
Mgt. sasolli's letter was written while
negotiations we're pending. about four
months ago. 1t refers at length 10 ditfi.
crlsiOs in church administration In
Guatemala, and suggests that certain
changes desired by the government
should be accompanied by an equiva.
lent OF serious advantage to render less
burdsusome the condition OF the church
in Guatemala The document then
says:
AN the fret place allow me to reflect
tha. to re-establish diplomatic relations
between tho holy Gee and your govern.
nsnt ''concordal" would not be neces-
sary, bu. that they could be re.estab-
ll,hed and maintained without It. Be-
sides, II 10 well 10 reflect that the holy
lather enjoys always In fact and by In.
Arnational right the prerogatives Of
sovereignty. In the second place the
separation between tho church and the
state (sanctioned by the constitution)
excludes the action OF one power over
another In civil matters In regard to the
church and In religious matters in re-
spect 10 the state, but II does not OK
elude official relations between the one
power and the other, unless by separa-
ton Is meant the inevitable hostility
OF, open wrong Of the civil power
towards the church and its ministry.
It is also 70 the point to consider
that any nations (although they have
in their constitutions the said princi-
plo OF separation between state and
church maintain nevertheless amicable
reports and relations with the holy SEQ,
and / can, also add that although the
holy SEQ has no diplomatic reports with
the empires OF China and Japan. II has
certainly found no official obstacle in
their diversity Of religion. And the
condition Of the Catholic church in the
United States, In whose constitution
was inserted the article OF separation OF
the state from any religious sect, can
not escape our confederation, / might
almost say sense OF surprise, II up 10
date no Official relations exist between
the government and the holy see, 1t is
because tho great majority OF the pop-
ulAtion 10 anti- Catholic. In the mean
time the church here is attaining posi-
bly, greater development and liberty
than In other states"
APPLIES Also TO THE UNITED STATES.
Besides this direct reference to the
United States, 1t is said that Mgr. satol-
lie argument as to the propriety OF of.
fetal relations between Guatemala and
rome applies also to tho United States,
o. he states that the constitutional pro-
yisious OF both counties are the same
respecting church and state. As to the
concern OF the pope for the church In
Central America, the document says:
II am happy 10 state that the holy
father, with much pleasure, learns that
the ancient violent prejudicss aud op.
positions to tho church are daily disap-
pearing; moreover. must assure you
Of the lively concern OF his holtneIs to
sec the condition Of the Catholic church
In Your state, the great importance OF
which in Central America Is vol known,
improved. Therefore, the holy father
regards a. Of tho greatest importance,
religioiia and civil. the good existence
OF friendly relations, and he.is not
nyerae to making all such CONCESSIONS
~ may be compatible with the doctrine
Of the church, with the voliare Of tho
faithful and with the prosperity of your
country. And, therefore, his holiness
consentsto proceed 70 tho nomination Of
an apostolic administrator TO tho see Of
Guatemala, who. being a stranger to
every faction, and without personal pro-
occupation should put iu order tho re-
llyious affairs ot the vast archdiocese
which has been so many years without
Its urgent needs. The apostolic admin
istrator should be IN European, selected
from among the notable prclates or
monks and OF tried piety and prudence;
being such, no should moro readily
succeed In his difficult mission"
THE PcrRs iSrKaESr IN GUATEMALA.
Speaking Of the desirabllity OF ron.
dering less burdonIome tho condition Of
the church In Guatemala, Mgr. satolli
said:
"Apropos Of which, allow mo 10 recall
10 your consideration the numerous de.
crces issued from the 10Th OF September,
1877, up 10 1884, and other disposi.
tons up 70 1887; decrees and dlsposi-
tions OF law more or less gravoly preju-
dicial 10 religious liberty, that tho
church by divine right and, almost, l
may say, by tho right Of mankind tradl-
tional for centuries, has possessed al
ways and everywhere; decrees aud laws
that with mature examination must be
recognized as exceptional, possibly nc.
counted for by temporary clrcum.
stances, or that the government might
secure itself against q supposed adver.
aary. which, unfortunately, the Catholic
church In Guatemala In those times
was believed 10 be; because
otherwise II would be impossible 70 nm
derstand how such decrees and laws &c.
cord with tho separation Of tho church
from the etate honestly and nationally
considered. And, therefore, with tho
constitution established az tho inimItR-
bio basis Of tho republic Of Guatemala
1t will not bo difficult 10 become con.
yincod that tho laWs aud dOcrCos re-
icrrcd 70 above should be at loast mod.