Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-31
THE POPE'S Chief DIPLOMAT
PAPAL SECRETARY OF STATE
HAS IMPORTANT DUTIES.
Origin of Sending Legates to Capt.
tails Of Catholic Countries.
Worlds Events.


During the early history OF the Catholic
Church the custom was followed of send
ing temporary legate to remove causes
of discord and to re-establish friendly
relations with civil authorities. but since
the closing years OF the fifteenth century
permanent representative of the pope
has been stationd at the capitals of the
various Catholic nations.
The supreme head and guiding spirit
of the entire pontifcal diplomatic service
is the sovereign pontiff. He marks out the
policy to be adopted and the course to be
pursued by the subaltern personnel, and
no important transaction can be arranged
or concluded without his knowledge and
approval
The practical supervision and manage
ment of these matters is intrusted to the
secretary of state, who is aided and ad-
vised on all important occasions by the
congregation for extra ordinary ecclesi-
astcal affairs. The diplomatic corps
consists of legates OF various ranks ac-
credited to some twenty nations of Eu-
rope and South America.
Court at Avignon.
Papal or apostolic secretaries were
first employed by Innocent VI during
the sojourn OF the pontifical court at
Avignon. The custom was retained by
his successors, though the number of
these officials fVctuated considerably
during the various certificates. At the
present time there are but two papaI
secretaries, the secretary of state and
the secretary of briefs to princes and of
Latin letters.
Before the loss of the temporal power
of the popes the secretary of state had q
number of duties which have fallen into
allegiance. He negotiated commercial
treaties with foreign states. looked after
the defense of the papal frontiers. provid-
ed for the naturalization of foreigners
and protected the rights Of papal SUBJ
jects in other countries.
The administration OF the pontif1cal
diplomatic service is, practically speak
Ing, In the hands of the secretary of state.
With the consent of the pope he selects
the nuncios and other representatives
to the different governments which main
tain diplomatic relations with the papal
court. He furnishes these ambassadors
with credential letters and Instructions
regarding the aim and objects OF their
mission and the methods they are to
follow in their legations
He receives their reports on the state
of religion in their districts and on the
conduct of affairs In their embassies and
the condition of the relations Of church
and state throughoursthe world He is the
trusted counsellor and mouthpiece Of the
pope in devising and carrying into execu-
tion the politico-reigious policy Of the
holy see and concludes. in the name of
the pope, all important conventions and
concordats with the nations of the world.
Keeps Pontiff Informed.
He must keep a vigilant eye on the
course of events in all the great capitals
of the world in order to give the sover-
eign pontihf timely information of any con-
templated legislation which might mill
tate against the interests of religion. On
Tuesdays and Fridays he receives the dip
lOmatists accredited to the holy see and
returns the visits of ceremony of the
royal personages who have had audience
with the pope.
In addition to these strictly diploma tic
fuictions the secretary of state has many
other important duties. He receives and
examines the petitions for the erection
and dismemberment of dioceses and the
reports on the character and fitness of
those proposed for vacant episcopal sees
In all countries of the world which are
under the common law of the church. ex-
cept Italy. and presents his opinion and
recommendation, based on these reports.
to the constitutional congregation for
final action. The newly created cardinals
receive their assignments through the Sec
rotary Of state. who also appoints, with
the knowledge and consent of the pope
the consultors of these congrega tons. He
replies TO the kilograms and letters Of
greeting and homage sent to the holy
father. and on his behalf sends letters
of commentator and congratulations and
bestows marks of distinction those
who have performed some signal service
to religion by their writings or works of
beneficence.
As president of the commission of car
dinals for the administration of the prop
erty of the holy see 1t is his duty to
make W the annual budget of receipts and
expenses and provide for the maintenance
Of the apostolic palaces. The present sec
rotary Of state is a member of the follow
ing important congregations: Consis-
tOrial, holy Office, council, sacred rites
and extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs
Until its recent annexation to the con-
gregation of the council he was project
of the congregation which had charge Of
the holy house Of Loretto. He is also a
member of the commissions for biblical
studies and for the preservation g the
faith in the city of Rome and acts as
cardinal protector for some nine religious
orders and confraternities.