Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-23
MAYOR NATHAN BLUNDERS
Attack on Catholic Church Causes
Resentment.
TOOK AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
Pope Plus Replies 90 Attack of the
Chief Magistrate of Rome In
Letter of Most Vigorous
Protest.
look AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
RY c1.EMENr ]. RARRETT.


ROME, oct. 22-(Special to The Bee)-
The prevailing cholera plague has almost
killed foreign tourists travel In this coun-
try as / intimated would be the case In
a previous letter. There was to have been
a pilgrimage Of English Catholics to this
city, but It has been postponed. The pope
caused word to be sent to London that It
would not advisable that the proposed trip
be made now. Hence the pilgrimage has
been postponed until further notice.
Nathan's Serious Blunder.
The attack made by Mayor Nathan on
the Catholic church has injured that Of
fetal considerably. Except in socialist
and anarchistic circles, II is agreed that
Mr. Nathan took an unfair advantage Of
his position in making the address which
was made on the recent anniversary of the
occupation OF Rome by the Italian gov
eminent in 1870.
Notwithstanding the defense OF the So
ciallst press, there can be no two opinions
as to the extreme improperly Of the
mayors utterances as a public official
since he went out OF his way to indulge
in TRADE against doctrines Of the Catholic
church. Rome has long ceased to take
SiRnor Nathan and his speeches seriously.
and there was a disposition TO ignore him,
but his address has been brought into
grave prominence by the publication OF a
letter from the pope, who replies in vigor-
Gus terms against an attack on the church
and religion which was couched in words
blasphemous as we'll as offensive, and de-
livered by a public official in the per-
Torrance Of his duty.
Pope Seriously Protests.
The pope says Signor Nathan was not
satisfied with recalling the anniversary
/ but also dared to offend the doctrines OF
the Catholic faith and the church.
His holiness added: speaking in the
name OF Rome, which, according to
authoritative statement, should be honored
as the peaceful! home of the SUPP eme pom
tiff, Signor Nathan aimed directly at our
spiritual jurisdiction, denouncing with I'm
punity and holding up to public contempt
even the acts of our apostolic ministry"
The letter further denounces the words
used by Signor Nathan against the divine
essence OF the church. the veracitY of its
dogmas and the authority OF its councils.
Against these impietiss the pope incig-
nantly protests. calling the attention not
only of the Roman people. but of the
faithful Of the whole world to the constant
and ever-growlng offenses against religion,
which are, he stated, ''perpetrated even
! BY the public authorities in Rome Itself.
May Rescind Decree.
Some Of the French bishops and clergy
believe that the recent papal decree fix
ling the age for first communion in France
at seven years Is inopportune now where
the irrengious element in France has the
upper hand Some bishops fear the de-
cree will destroy an opportunity for Sc
curing the religious education OF the
young in this country. They may re-
quest Pope Plus to reconsider his action
AS this particular matter Is one Of church
discipline the holy father may defer the
enforcement OF the decree. A dogma OF
faith once proclaimed by the pope musi
stand, but a rule Of conduct may be sus'
pended, or even abrogated, should tn,
head Of the Roman church deem 1t Rd
visable.