Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-25
ITALIAN BANDIT IS RELEASED
Had Served Forty-Nine Years on q
Life Sentence.
POPE STOPS A SUIT FOR LIBEL
Portugal's Separation Law Reviewed
by the Roman POntiff and is De-
cIared Unfair and Invalid
as to Catholics.
BY cIFMENr ]. pARRprr.


ROME. June A--tspecial to The Bee.)-
italy has peculiar legal system, but pun
ishment is punishment in this land and o
life sentence is very close to one Here IL
a case in point:
After having served forty-nine years in
prison several brigands have been released
from convict settlements. Among them Ia
a calabrian brigand chief. Antonio Cato.
who entered the profession" when 10. be-
cause he had deserted from the army and
wished to avoid arrest. Cato subsequently
headed a famous band of bandits who had
their headquarters in the Monte Gargano
mountain-3,465 feet in height-near Foggia,
and the seat of historic pilgrimage to a
sanctuary in memory OF the apparition Of
st. Michael to Archbishop Lawrence in 49,
Gatto's men subsisted mainly by despoilins
pilgrims. For years they held out against
all armed expeditions, but finally surren-
dered to Major Bixio. who deceived them
with the promise that they would suffer
no further penalty than the fulfillment OF
military service. Cato was sentenced to
hard labor for life. Now on the score oil
exceptionally good conduct he is liberated
and given 500 to start life anew.
Pope stops a Salt.
An immense impression has been pro-
duced by the Intervention of the pope in
the action for libel brought by Father
Bricarelll against Verdesi. an ex-priest and
now a Methodist. who charged him with
oil fkVaar ~.
The pope's Intervention has taken the form
OF q letter written to Father Bricarelli ex-
pressing sympathy with him In his Attic.
ton owing to the accusations OF Verdesi
His holiness stated that he was convinced
that Bricarelli had not violated the secrecy
Of the confessional.
Opera Prohibited.
D'Annunzio's Saint Sebastian" has been
placed in the index of prohibited books"
Persons reading prohibited books incur ex-
communication forthwith. Among the au-
thors whose works are prohibited occur
the names of James 1. Barclay, Archbishop
Usher and Bishop Sanderson. Bull and
Pearson, Cave and Hobbs. Recently the
name OF the late Prof. Mfvart OF st. Mary
hospital and Father Tyrrel. the ex-Jesuit,
appeared.
Plus on Portugal Situation.
An encyclical issued TO the church de-
plores the anti-reliEious attempts OF the
Portuguese repubic-namely the violent
expulsion OF the religious orders. the sup
preston OF church festivals the religious
oath and OF religious instruction OF al
vorce. the arbitrary dismissal Of bishops
and the whole law OF separation.
The pope reviews the material and moral
expressions contained in the law which de-
nies even common liberty to the church
and TO Catholic citizens. Such law does
not mean separation. but spoliation OF
property and despotism In spiritual mat
tiers. The church has not only been do
spoiled OF all the means which are indis-
pensable for the maintenance OF the clergy
and other religious activities. but It has
been forbidden even 10 possess such means
in future. for the law interferes with the
freedom OF disposing OF property by tesla
ment.
For those reasons the pope condemns the
law OF separation. declaring II void and In
valid against the inviolable rights of the
church. He warmly praises the bishops
and clergy OF Portugal who have CON
demnede the law and have declared their
readiness to suffer for the church,