South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-20

VINCENT VANNUTELLI, born at
Genazzano. diocese of Palestrina.
Dec 5. 1896; created and reserved Ii
petto Dec. 80. 1883; proclaimed June
%, 1890; made bishop Of Palestrina,
April 10, 1900.
sumption of work; to 3. private re-
,eptions; 9. supper; 1880, curfew.
In the government of the church he
displayed the broad grasp of analrs,
thorough understanding and sure
Judgment that marked his administra-
ton of the lesser, though important
1uties that had been intrusted TO him
Oy the church. He was cOns!derate
and sympathetic, while strictly up
holding the dignity OF his high posi-
ton, and he earned the loyalty and
devotion and admiration of all In the
church and the respect Of all the
world. Probably the most important
declarations were in two bulls, one of
which protested against the growing
modernism in religious and church
work the other requiring all engage
ments TO be listed with the parish
priest.
Pre- eminent among his character
istics were his democracy. his utter
defiance Of convention and his dis
regard of precedent. OF peasant
parentage, he was peculiarly the pope
IF the poor. Peasants were as well
come TO the vatican as princes, and
he gave them his blessing alike, with
out favor His charities were pro-
verbal His presence pervaded the
vatican with a new atmosphere.
Abolished Many Forms of Etiquet.
With quiet decision he did away
with many forms OF etiquet which had
endured for centuries. Early he
abolished the custom requiring Wis
ltors To genufect three times in COM
ing into the presence. TO kiss the cross
upon his white slipper. and 10 remain
kneeling while in his presence. He
would have none Of it, Instead he
greeted his visitors without fOrmality
chatted in good Old-fashion, and usual
ly accompanied them TO the door
when he retired.
Man incidents resulted from this
independence OF custom, and 10 the
pope they ,rought quiet amusement.
For instance ne abolished the cen
tury-Old custom Of requiring everyone
to Vacate the gardens or galleries
when the pope walked therein. His
first ride through the grounds was in
an open carriage. which he insisted
upon having, even though another
precedent was established.
He abolished the custom OF COM
municants kissing his ring when re-
ceiving communion from his hands.
holding il 10 be a source OF distraction
for the communicate. Instead OF be-
ing carried into St. Peters or the Sis
tine chapel on the sedia gestarOria.
with the six palafreniere (white os-
trich fans used 10 fan the pope), he
preferred 10 wax. lie also did away
with the prohibition against receiving
any of the civil authorities OF Rome
or representatives of the Italian gov
eminent and his warm friendship fer
King Emmanuel, dating from the pc
riod when he was patriarch OF Venice,
did much toward alleviating the
strained relations between the church
and state and may be the means OF
paving the way q an ultimate recon-
Citation.
Perhaps, though. his most drastic
defiance of precedent was the bring
Ing OF women 20 his table. in the per-
sons OF his sisters. Since the fOunda
ton Of the Catholic church there were
only two Instances Of women having
eaten IN the pope's apartments. one
was when Queen Christine OF Sweden
sat az a separate table. and lower
down than the pope. at n light iun-
cheon. the other when the grand
duchess OF Tuscany after communion
at the hands OF Leo XIII, was served
some light refreshments In his apart