New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
Commission of Cardinals
70 Seek Friendship of
Anglican Church
MOVE FOR REUNION
WITH RUSSIAN BODY
l. S. May Be First Aid to
plan-PeaCe Seen as
Essential Factor

Wellington. Jan. 4.-Private letters
- tbe Vatican received by DR.. A.
plrieri. Of the Library Of Congress.
-.,orni-ed writer on ecclesiastical
..;,,ts. announced that Pope Benedict
w e about 10 appoint a commission
= ,,ur cardinals to renew a move
-.,t begun by Pope Leo XIII, and
.h,r5oned by Pope Plus y, looking 20
,,grion Of Christianity and the oul-
ovation Of friendly relations with the
,,r,iesp Church. A public announce
-.,t on the subject from Rome is ex-
pc,ed shortly.
ny. Palmieri said tonight that the
rev movement. as outlined in his sd-
yiess. would be directed particularly
toward the establishment Of re-
milan OF the Russian Church and the
p.nscv and 10 q thorough reexsmina-
,i,n into the validity Of Anglican or
Episcopal ordinations. which was set
lied in the negative in a Papal bull.
Cardinal to Preside
The honor Of presiding over the
commission OF cardinals, Or. Palmieri
,ss been informed. will be bestowed
pDon Cardinal Nicola Msrini, one OF
n. new prelstes created in the last
Co,sistorv. who has devoted many
y,srs 10 scientific research and 10 the
ans. Of a reunion of Christianity.
The interest Of the Pope IN the PROP
lem Of Christian unity is said 10 have
bssn intensified by the recent prog,
-sss Of the world congress. initiated
nv the American Episcopal Church.
,"Tbc now popc.' said Or. Palmleu.
.abss taken a considerable part IN the
s4or+s Of neutral nations to establish
mace and the Natican's efforts have
bssn suggested not only by human
tsrisn spi-it. but by a longing for
Christian unity and ending the conflict
which long since has divided Christian
churches
@Benedict XIV thinks that re-estab-
Tsbuent Of a political peace would DC
the first step toward renewed attempts
10 stop the splitting OF Christianity
into q great number Of sects.
Vatican Interest Aroused
Tire interest OF the Vatican in the
problem OF Christian unity has been
aroused by the recent progress OF the
World conference. the well known in-
tistivc movement OF the American
Episcopal Church. which met with Q
rfest success iu Russia. The oihclsi
orren Of the Holy Synod has praised
tbs initiative Of the world conference
and eyhorted the Russian hierarchy 10
1--WE their cooperation TO Nc.
"Of course Rome cannot see with in
difference the growing friendship be
tween AnglicsnIsm and orthodoxy DR.
PALMER declared. "and consequently
the new commission OF cardinals VIII
examine whether American Christian
itv feels instinctively the need of har-
monizing tho various tendencies OF
Christian mind 10 form united Prot
estsntism which would be the hrst
step toward q united Christianity.
IN this field 10 Is felt In Rome that
the United States have a providentia.
mission 10 fulfil. America is an I'M
mense reservoir OF Christian energies
which cannot now exert their whole in
fuence for they arc scattered. There.
lore. the fact that divided branches O.
Christianity may meet and discuss m
the spirit OF tolerance the controyerted
points among the Christian churches IS
already a great victory over the spirit
Of intolerance and division.