The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-23
VII.

Plus VII. was crowned Pope at Venice
in March, 1900, and his attention was at once
directed to the ecclesiastical anarchy In
France, where apart from the broad schism
on the question OF submission TO the repub-
lican Constitution discipline had been so
far neglected that a large proportion of the
churches were closed, dioceses existed with
out Bishops or with more than one Bishop,
Jansenism and the violation Of the VOW of
celibacy had crept into the ranks Of the
clergy, and indifference or hostility widely
prevailed among the people. The time was
now ripe for a Concordat. Soon after the
battle OF Marengo, which occurred on une
Il OF the year named, B~onaparte asked
the Bishop OF Vercelli, Cardinal Martiniana,
10 60 to Rome and tell the new Pope TINT he,
Bonaparte, would make him a present of
30. OOo, 900 French Catholics" that he wished
10 have religion in France, that the intruded
Bishops and priests (by the -~intruded" were
meant those who nae taken the oath TO
observe the Civil Constitution were a act
of discreditable robbers, of whom he wished
20 get rid as soon a. possible; that there had
formerly been too many bishoprics in the
country, and that their number ought to be
restricted; that he wished for a freeh priest
hood altogether (Un cIerge rierge); that som
of the old Bishops were held in little esteem
in their dioceses, where they never resided;
that several had only emigrated in order to
weave intrigues, and that he would never
have such Bishops back again; their dis
missal ought TO be considered, and he would
give them suitable pensions; rs time went
on he would secure for the priests an honor
able but not luxurious living; the worst
paid Bishops should nav 5000 rancs a
year; the exercise Of the spiritual jurisdic-
ton Of the Pope in France should there
after be free; the Pope alone should ave the
power OF giving the Bishops canonical insti-
tuition, but they should be nominated by the
possessor OF the sovereign power; finally,
he would reinstate the Pope in the possess
sion Of all his temporal dominions.
IL is obvious that in this proposal OF
Bonaparte's, made on June 9, 1900, lay the
germ OF the later agreement. More than
a year. however, was to elapse, and much
pressure was to be brought TO bear on
both sides, before the First Consul and
Plus VII. were TO concur a. to the terms
Of the compact. The Concordat which
at last was signed DULY Is, 1901 opens
with the declaration that the Roman Church
is the religion OF the majority OF French
men. As such it must have liberty OF
worship and a public service within certain
limits which are defined. There is to be
a redistribution Of the French diooeses,
and the Pope undertakes to notify the
French Bishops thai he confidently ex-
poets that for the sake Of peace and unity
they are ready to undergo any sacrifices,
even II 1t were Of their own Sees" IL the
RiahOnS. contrary 10 eXDecfation shoaV1d
refuse to make such a sacrifice, they must
be compelled to do IL. The First Consul
shall, in the course Of three month";, nomi-
nate new Bishops and Arohblshops TO the
dlooeses, according TO the new divisions.
and the Pope shall give them ~canonical
institution according q the ancient forms.
but no period OF time vas fixed for this
Bsshops and prisses ars 20 g~say ar tho