The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-21
LEO XIII.


pontifr of the largest and most thoroughly
organized religious society of Cnristendom,
the Pope occupies a position of great dig
nifty and power, and one that holds. even in
a material age, fascination for all stu
dents and observers of history Leos pom
tificate has covered period of tremendous
activity and advancement affecting the well
fare and prosperity of all mankind. In the
calm seclusion of his palace. with the
agreeable atmosphere of medievalism about
him, he has been the remote spectator of
many of the most moving incidents of
transitional period in the movement of the
human race and has been aware of vast
changes in knowledge and thought affect
ing the very foundations of that belief of
which his Office is, by the claims of his
church. the especial custodian. His death,
therefore. brings not merely his own per-
sonality and his acts under scrutiny. but
inevitably elicits in every part of the world.
and particularly in Protestant countries, a
fresh examination OF Rome and it's claims.
The loss of temporal power had relieved the
papacy of many of its perplexities and bur-
dens before Leo's accession. The Ring of
the Fisherman passed to him from Plus TX.
who had seen the realization of Italian in
dependence and unity after a long and
mighty struggle which had for one of its
weightiest results the loss of many of his
own most priced prerogatives. Leo was
never at any time a factor in European
politics: 1t Is as a spiritual ruler only that
he passes into history.
Leo XIII brought to his high Office twen-
ty-five years ago the learning which it is
usually safe to presuppose of Italians of
good birth who are bred to the church, and
a valuable experience in diplomacy gained
while Papal nuncio at Brussels, where in
his early manhood he first won distinction
by shrewd conciliatory services. He was
made cardinal In 1850 and sent to Perugia.
an unimportant and isolated seat, where he
remained until his investiture as Pope In
1878. He referred to this period of his life
as his exile Suddenly elevated to the pom
tificate from this obscure post. he demon
strated not only marked sagacity, but
wide knowledge of the social and economic
trend of his time. In the very nature Of his
office and the peculiar mystery which en-
velops it, the Pope is shut of from that in-
innate knowledge OF human affairs which
must proceed from direct contact with the
world. This is at once the strength and the
weakness of the papacy. 1t Is more and
more necessary that Pope shall not sub
NIT himself to the fierce light that the age
throws on all who hold high positions. No
Pope for the welfare of the race, he may
have no knowledge Of current events save
that which he gains from others. But Leo
had, from all accounts. the keenest curios-
ity about contemporary men and measures
and seized every opportunity to crafty 1t.
He read English. and of course knew Ital-
ian, French and Spanish we'll. He was. in
deed. a man of acute and hospitable mind,
who safeguarded wisely the great interests
confided to him. He maintained consistent
ly the conservative attitude of Catholicism.
He attempted no meddling with the faith Of
predecessor whose efforts in this behalf had
aroused antagonism within and intensified
prejudice without.
The insistence by Plus TX on a formal
declaration of the immaculate conception
and Of Papal infallibility did not tend to
make easier the Office Of Leo XIII as chief
missioner of the world. AS Professionals
view such matters, the first Of these Is
theologically unsound and unnecessary to
salvation, and the second Is ridiculous. Plus
succeeded in laying these new burdens on
his successor at the dawn of a period re-
markable for its scientific criticism Of
sacred literature There are in the Roman
church scholars of first distinction. but
Rome does not submit their scholarship to
the scrutiny Of students not Of her faith.
She has calmly ignored in Leo's day criti-
cism of immense significance. 1t is easier
to ignore than to answer it; 1t is more dig
nified to inscribe book in the index ex-
purgatorius than to controvert 1t. But such
procedure is not convincing to the outer
world. 1t serves in Italy, but the Anglo
its questions must be answered, and an
swered, too, out in the sunlight, away from
the softening and bewildering influences OF
dim palaces and candlelight. But Rome is
immovable and infiexible: she accepts what
she finds and 1t suffices for her; her own
scholarship is all that she requires or toll
crates.
For several years much was written of
Leo's liberal spirit. but this was not based
on any concrete proof Of his disposition to
yield himself to the times spirit. In several
encyclcals he showed a sympathetic un-
Outstanding of labor questions; but no man
so far removed as he from the changes and
chances of life can do more than comment
benignly and in general terms on these or
any similar vital issues. There has been
during Leo's pontifcate an increasing
friendliness of Protestants toward Rome,
but this has been part of the growing
tolerance of the age. 1t Is difficult to see
| that Leo has been a contributor to this on
| the Roman side, save as his own gentle
ness. erudition and spirituality won re-
spect and affection from thousands owing
no obedience to Rome. No great exodus