The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-06-27
CHURCH UNITY.

of Anglican orders shall be made the
subject of an historical and theological
investigation. What is likely to be the
result of the inquiry? Mr.. Gladstone
has undertaken to answer the question
in a letter addressed to an unnamed
correspondent, which the archbishop OF
York has caused to be published in the
London Times, says the New York Sun.
Before noting what Mr.. Gladstone has
to say upon the subject, q word of pre-
face may be useful. During the last six
months the London Tablet, the organ of
Cardinal Vaughn, has published series
or articles, the aim Of which is to show
that the invalidity of the American orders
is res adjudicata. Decisions against the
validity of these orders have already been
rendered at Rome by the highest authori-
ty. In consequence thereof, Anglican
clergymen who have become converts to
the Latin church, and who have wished
to continue to discharge ecclesiastical
functions, have had to submit to reordi-
nation. On the other hand, certain Cath
Ollie theologians have asserted that new
ly discovered evidence throws a different
light upon the question than that which
was attainable when Pope julius III. de-
clared that King Edwards bishops were
not validly ordained, and when Pope Gle
u,ent XII. decreed that Bishop Gordon
must be reordained and reconfirmed on
his admission to the Roman communion.
It is the alleged existence of such new
evidence which is the ground for the re-
in yestigation ordered by the present pope.
The commission of experts designated by
him sat at the Vatican for some two
months, and has now brought its labors
to close. The commission consisted of
four advocates of the Anglican claims,
including conspicuously Able Duohesne,
and four opponents, headed by Canon
Moves; at all of the meetings CARDINAL
Mazzella presided. The business of this
commission was to thresh out anew the
whole subject; 1t had no voice in the de-
cision. The outcome OF the debates will
be laid before the Sacred Con gregation
Of the Holy Office Of which the pope him
self Is the project and president. In the
course Of time the Holy Office will pre-
sent the result of its labors to Leo XIII.
Now. it must be presumed that a pro-
found historical scholar and master OF
the canon law hike the present Pope is
thoroughly conversant with the grounds
on which Anglican orders were formerly
pronounced invalid, and that, unless he
believed the new view put forward by
Ahhe Duchesue and others to have at
least some foundation, he would not have
authorized a determination OF the ques-
ton. Mr.. Gladstone goes further than
this, and assumes that q new inquiry
would mol have been permitted unless the
pope had reason to think that the pre-
|yious decision would be reversed, either In
whole or in part. From q 1patilrmation
fof the former decision against the val
idity 81 Anglican orders Catholicism
would have nothing TO gain, for this
would Simply harden the existing usaga
81 reordination IA the case Of those An
gl.ranr clergy men who seek admission I'd
clerical fnnct4 ons in the church Of Rome.
On the other hand Catholic isn would
have much rs lose tby ! rea Arms Hon q
is rler decizipns time hen ia q
~ tter L, st1,e MI glish people