The Irish standard., 1917-06-30
VAR SURE TO help
PAPAL POSITION
u ASSERTS PRIEST
sy Rev. William Demouy, D. D.

The position of our Holy Father, in
these trying times, is not an easy one.
Perhaps never before in the history of
the world has it been so diff1cu1t-as
we view it-for the occupant of the See
Of Peter to exercise his power and in
fluence, and show his undivided love as
father to all of the children of the
Mother church. They have not doubt
ed their spiritual father and rulers
position, but Notwithstanding, i'm
a manner more pronounced than ever,
their allegiance and love-they fly to
him to side with their cause. Like a
good parent who loves all his children,
he must not yield to any particular
one, but must manifest love for and
interest i'm all. That his tactics have
been such, and his views and affection
impartial, stand out as one of the most
glorious traits of his character, thus
far unveiled to the world.
No one, however, need think that
the present incumbent of the throne of
Peter has been blind and inactive re-
garding the needs of humanity during
the present war. He has manifested
his charity to the war sufferers in
many ways. Through his efforts pris-
oners have been exchanged and men
condemned to death have beer saved;
his purse has opened to those most in
need-to the Poles, the Belgians, the
Ruthenians and the Armenians. Nor
have the sick and wounded been over
looked by him. In Switzerland, a-neu-
trail country, he has succeeded in hav-
ing many removed so that they could
get the care and treatment impossible
to administer to them in the countries
at war. Many a heart has been glad
dened also by the fact that he had es-
tablished bureau for lost soldiers,
and their whereabouts have thereby
been revealed to those interested and
dear to them. Much more has he done
in a private way that the world has
not heard about. 1t has all beer the
work of kind and interested father.
We do not wonder at our Holy
Fathers attitude, for we perceive it to
be the proper one; but we admire him
for SO wisely and effectively occupying,
and SO strongly and impartially hold
ing, the place wise fathers love
points out as best suited to the occa-
sion. He compromises without COM
pomise. He must sympathize with
each member of his spiritual family,
even though each one thinks he has a
fight to carry out-though it be to
death-aud victory to win. He has
a heart wide enough to enclose the
convictions-no matter how varied and
Vcontradictory-of all his children, and
an ear willing enough to listen to
them, as they proclaim their rights
and set forth the reasons and argu-
ments for their positions.
Much more, indeed, would he prefer
peace-many the efforts he has made
to procure it, but the time seemed not
yet ripe, and, in the role of father, he
still must watch, anxiously and prayer
fully, the combat being waged among
his children. 1t causes him to weep, it
brings to him bitter anguish of soul
but he respects the will of his chill
dren, and prays the God of Heaven to
help them all in their fight, that a love
and that the combat be waged for the
same glorious end. That some are in
the right, others in the wrong, he we'll
knows; but he understands equally as
clearly that each one thinks he has
right on his side. To err IS human
and, in the very throes of the fray, il
is all but impossible to point out tc
one his mistake. Nay, it is no exag
geration to assert that the end of the
world could come and the mistaken
ones, if known, would not be convinc
ed. So he is truly neutral and really
father who respects his children's
convictions, and aims, by the great ex
" ample Of love and it's offspring, peace
to be the common parent of all-te
whom, at least later, they will all fee
inclined to come, as to an fmpartia
mediator.
Nor is the wise role that the Vicar
of Christ assumes, to influence only
Il his own spiritual children-its benign
character is tmpressing those Wit
have refused to bow to him allegiance
Such a one as the Holy Father nov
shows himself to be, has been tn,
need, they realize, of all times. Their,
4 are powers more effective than shell
and shrapnel, and the example OF ,
power, neutral i'm love and action, will
bring sway that bullets could neve
establish, Men very often need Gel
tain conditions or circumstances t.
/ surround them before they can form
proved and stable convictions. Tn
y world at present is placing many wher
E never before they did dwell really ii
mind or body, and they are thinking
ii and will think of things heretofor
undreamed of, or they will realize tina
what they considered dreams to other
n, are indeed realities. One of thes
" truths to dawn in the hearts and mind
" Of many is the fact that our Hol
AL Father, the Pope, holds the creates
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