Gilpin observer., 1914-08-27

Compared with the policies of his
predecessors of recent times the lean
ing of Pope Plus X. has been held to
be ultra-orthodox in purely ecclesias-
tical principles and ultra-conservative
in temporal relations. An instance OF
his well-known uncompromising atti-
tude against advanced tendencies was
afforded in his opposition to woman
suffrage, as voiced by the pope upon
the occasion of his reception of dele
CATION of Italian Catholic ladies'.
Woman can never be mans equal"
he told his fair visitors, "and cannot,
therefore, enjoy equal rights. Few
women would ever desire to legislate,
and those who did would be classed
as eccentrics. Scripture, and espe-
cially the three Epistles of st. Paul,
emphasizes woman's dependence on
man."
Reforms In Church Government.
His now famous Apostolic constitu-
tion was considered as embodying the
most sweeping reform ever attempted
by a Roman pontiff since the cele-
brated Council of Trent, in the years
from 1545 to 1863, in that 1t dismissed
the entire congregation Of the council,
committee Of cardinals charged with
the Interpretation of the Council OF
Trent, and placed all affairs in the
hands Of separate tribunals and courts
of appeal.
By virtue of one OF his documents,
known as the "Sapienti Consilio." the
congregations composing the Roman
Curia of the Catholic church have
been completely reformed and the
American hierarchy has been accord
ed recognized voice in the govern
ment of the church. In fact, all Cath
olics outside Italy have been granted
a new political standing by the order.
whereunder 200 bishops, $4,000 priests
and 3O.000,000 Catholic laymen in the
| English-speaking countries have their
affairs examined and passed upon ac-
cording to the general law OF the
church and by ten different congrega-
tions. instead OF one. as heretofore.
Another reform was that effected
by the papal bull requiring the return
of sacred music in use by the Roman
Catholic churches throughout the
world to its austere and suave purity.
And still another bore upon the revi-
sion OF the catechism, a move dear to
the heart OF the late Leo XIII. where
by instruction in the catechism is no
longer regarded, as in years past. as
the adjunct to a basically religious
education. but is now held to replace
everything-mother, the schoolmaster,
the general mental environment.
Pope Plus was In every respect n
man Of peace, and the clerical trou-
bles In Spain and Portugal during tho
latter years of his life greatly affected
his health. When Spain and Portugal.
| following the lead OF France. broke
away from the church. he refused to
take any decisive action against them.
He held steadfastly to the purpose
| that governed his every move during
/ his tenor In Office and chose the mid
( die course. Standing strongly for the
/ rights OF the church, he refused to
use the doubtful diplomacy with which
some OF his predecessors accomplished
their ends. and when the smoldering
volcano of public sentiment in Portu-
gal broke. and the revolution, which
had so long been hanging fire in that
country, deposed King Manuel and
took the form OF active warfare
against the priests and nuns, he de-
cried the situation but refused the
word that would bring to arms thou
snrds OF his supporters rnd rirr~c
the country in b!o,dy religions var.