The Irish standard., 1917-06-30

and health-giving strength would be
felt by all. Almost a half century ago,
when the possessions of the Vicar of
Christ were wrested from him by
stealthy force, it seemed that his
power would be on the wane. 1t was
wrongly reasoned out-rob him of his
territory and you rob him of his power.
God is with him and his possessions
de jure his undeniable right. Robbery
is crime and the God of Justice can
never sanction it's course, nor desert
the innocent despoiled. The bright
sun now rising is also another proof
that the gates of hell will never pre-
vail against the See of Peter.
But this power of the Vicar of
Christ over mems hearts will assert
itself in its full vigor, when blessed
peace comes once again. The seeth-
ing tides of the conflict of today will
leave behind them placid ocean over
which the bark of Peter will sail un-
molestedly, but not unobserved. If
peaceful in war, it will be powerful
when stability of nations is again es-
tablished; and, if the waves of dis
cord come up and begin anew to cast
peoples into turmoil, there is no doubt
that they will cry out to their common
father to settle their dispute. Among
the rulers of men, he, alone, loves the
sons of every nation equally well-a
truth men are now learning, and which
they will practice in future ages. This
has prophetic note to it, but the signs
pointing it out make it clear.
From temporal standpoint, the Pa
pacy could never be less hampered
than at the present time. This is evil
dent. It has no political affiliations, as
the attitude of it's present occupant
must clearly point out to the world.
Nor is it entering into any compact
with any fighting nation or with any ma
ton at peace. The blessings that it can
give are generously bestowed upon all
who can and will receive them. No
clamor has been heard to>arise from
it, demanding certain favors and prom
Uses for it's support; nor any attempt
| made to enter into a scheme for its
future "temporal ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 1t
is true, some INSCRIPTIONS newspapers
have printed occasionally reports that
| would incline the public to a contrary
belief, but official information has ex-
posed it's falsity. It's neutrality is now
a proven and recognized fact
One can feel certain a new era is
about to dawn for the chair of Peter
Heretofore, in all the great wars of
Europe, it had-in a certain sense-to
take part, and pretexts were assumed
therefrom to accuse it of partially and
of political alliances. The present is
different. In a way, it is surrounded
by different atmosphere, and the bug
bear of the past must fade away. De-
ception has played the greatest part
in keeping certain nations from fully
recognizing the power and endurance
of the Papacy. The truth is gradually
breaking the shackles that bound it up,
and manifesting itself to man. One
must wonder that a power so great
and mighty-even prescribing from
the Divine assistance with it-should
have been looked upon by so many for
the last four hundred years with sus-
picion, ard even maligned, though its
very existence is unbroken by a con-
tinuous line of occupants from Peter to
Benedict XIV.
Experience alone should have taught
the world that no power could last SO
long unchanged, nor spiritually sway
millions of souls, year after year, un'
less 1t were-we will not say divine
but at least with the divine impress
upon it and the divine aid with it.
| So, from the signs of the times, one
!; can say without fear of exaggeration
} that, as the darkness of war will give
way to the light of peace, the Papacy
will loom up stronger, humanity speak
ing, than ever before. It is the one
light now upon earth that truly illu
mines the hearts of men, and this light
will rise to the strength of the midday
sun. It's present exponent and occu
pant has the difficult stand of neutral
ity to take, while in one ear and in the
other ring the cries of his children anG
: their pleadings for his support of theil
side of the battle. He tries to sootht
!, all, and, with paternal affection, recog
: nizes their good will and sincerity
but with one he cannot go against tn,
> other.-~ All are his children, and hi
t love and solicitude for the'one must b,
. the same for the other. The time ma!
come when he will be the chief arbitel
!, in their dispute; but as yet he mus
> suspend his judgment.-Denver Cath
> Ole Register.