The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-14

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the Papacy and the Government
of Italy rests with the Italian Par
lament. 1t follows, therefore,
that, if any change is to take
place, Italy itself must be the one
to propose and establish upon a
permanent basis such new rela-
tions as will guarantee the abso-
lutte independence of the Pope in
the discharge Of his spiritual
duties.
During long ages the independ-
ence of the Papacy was secured
by the temporal power. The tenn
poral power was only a means to
an end; but during the past it
was the sole means by which, un-
der Divine Providence, fullest
liberty of action was secured for
the Papacy. Whether or not some
other means may be adopted is
a question which is now being de-
bated in Italy. 1t must never be
forgotten, however, that, in the
event of change taking place,
the independence Of the Holy See,
guaranteed, for centuries by the
temporal power, must not be in
fringed upon in any way but main
tanned free from interference on
the part Of any civil ruler
In 1870, when the Holy See was
robbed of it's temporal estates, the
means proposed by the Italian
Government for maintaining the
integrity and independence of
Papal authority was set forth in
the Law Of Guarantees which, in
itself, gives no assurance of per
manency. 1t is a mere act of Par
lament which can be set aside
at any time by the same authority
which called it into being. AS
a matter of fact, the provisions
Of this Law of Guarantees have
never been fully lived up to by
the Italian Government which has
allowed the Vatican to be attacked
without protest and the Holy
Father insulted with impunity.
Since the day when the Pope
was despoiled of his temporal pos,
sessions, he has never ceased to
protest against the anomalous con-
ditions under which he is forced
to exercise his authority. By this
insistent protest against the
usurpation of his civil rights, he
has consistently indicated before
the world his claim to absolute
independence. No other course
was open to him under the cir
cumstances. His supreme chief
fancy of the Universal Church
makes it essential for him to enjoy
a freedom from civil subsection to
any earthly ruler in order that
he may be unhampered in the dis
charge Of his sacred duties. In
the eyes Of the nations, the Pope
must never appear as the civil
subject Of Victor Emanuel or of
the Kingdom of Italy. The Cath,
Ollie world would not tolerate for
a moment any interference on the
part of any civil ruler that would
detract from the centuries-old
prerogatives and independence OF
the Holy Father. Catholics
would not want to see the Pope
reduced to the condition of chap,
lain to any earthly sovereign or
bound in entangling alliance with
any dynasty, no matter how great
it might be.
The Pope would be false to his
high mission as teacher Of the
faithful were he to acquiesce in
the spoliation of his temporal
estates and, by word or act, &C,
knowledge himself a subject OF
the Italian King. He would much
rather be, as he is today, a prison,
er in the Vatican than enjoy the
privileges guaranteed by the Ital
ian Government at the expense OF
his absolute independence. His
continual protest against the poll
teal subsection which the italian
Government would impose on the
Holy See is an assurance to the
world that he has no intention
Of bowling his head to the yoke Of
the usurper Of his temporal
power. He is still free and indie
pendent, and as long as present
conditions exist he will continue
to assert his independence and
thus maintain his prestige as q
sovereign, though robbed of his
rights by the high-handed pro,
ceeding of a tyrannical power.
So unless the Parliamentary
Law of Guarantees be made such
as to allow fullest liberty and in
dependence to the Holy See, anC
unless it seriously proposes to
maintain that freedom at all haz
ards, it were far better that the
present relations between the Pa.
pacy and the Italian Government
unsatisfactory though they be
continue indefinitely.