Connecticut western news., 1903-07-23

u lne church long before it was proba-
 ble that he would fill the pontifical
 chair. He rose to this distinction at
 last hy having deserved it.
 Though it iS probable that he was
 not unmindful of the honor and infiu-
 eacc of that great office, he knew too
 we'll tEat 10 reach It in this dangerous
 agA he mnst deserve it by combina-
 ton uf character, of courage and of
 wisdom.
 In 1866 the French troops were with
 drawn from Rome. and the pope was
 lift to such an army as le could him
 self create The Italians, however. six
 years previously h&d overrun Sicily
 and Naples. annexed Tuscany and oth-
 CT states, and finally Venice. and were
 determined to occupy the papal states.
 At this time Cardinal Pecci addressed
 the priests in words which should be
 common to all churches. saying:
 "The moral conduct of the priests is
 the mirror into which the people look to find a model for their own demean-
 or Every shadow. every stain, is re-
 marked by the vulgar eye. and the
 mere shadow Is enough to make the people lose their esteem of priestly worth. It is impossible that priest who lays himself open to such re proa or suspicious. who has the name of being self indulgent interest ed and of irregular living, should give forth that fragrance of pure life, that sweet odor of Christ, which witnesses to our worth and to our doctrine. The two great means which the Divine Master declares to be indispensable tn our high ministry are holiness and ! knowledge"
 In 1869 he made an effort with the
 king of Italy to rescue poor clerical ton. "The burden of military service he said. must inevitably fall on all young mon who have devoted them selves to the clerical career. We are deeply saddened by this; we arc frightened by the thought that SC many parishes will ask us for pastors while we shall have none to give them that so many pious populations will ask for the food of Christian instruc Ltoh ana lDe COlitOTl OA bAS SStSiSiiiiSh'o and that no one will be found to min ! ister to them. and that. such n state o1
 things continuing, there is nothing tC prevent religion from dying out in l these country places for the very lack 1 of hands to cultivate it."
 { The government now sequestrated [ nearly all ecclesiastical property, seiz- X ing upon the residences of the bishops \ and the church revenues and making | exceptions where it saw fit.
 \ At one time bloodshed was threaten ' ed in perugia. when the archbishop | came upon the scene and by his coura- | geous and calm Interpretation prevented i a conflict. He pardoned all the laal- \ contents who had been put down in \ 1859. When the Swiss garrison of Pc rugia undertook in 1860 to resist the l Sardinians the cardinal in vain at | tempted to prevent battle. He was 1 unable to prevent the execution of one l of his officials, who was shot by a court martial for having borne arms. Soon civil marriage was commanded
 with penalties to parish priests for in | terposing. Tn 1852 he was sued be l cause he had admonished some of his ] priests wEo had subscribed cordial
 address to a republican priest. leader. | He issued an address against modern 1 spiritualisln, saying that religion and