The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-09-28


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Is it a fact that Cardinal Ranpolla
was prevented from being Pope by the
veto of the Austrian government, pre-
scented at the ConclaVe?
This is not true A veto was pre-
sented by an Austrian CARDINAL on
behalf of his government, when it
seemed likely that Cardinal Rampolla
would be elected. But we have an
account of the ConclaVe by a French
Cardinal who was present, sup
1iorter of Rampolla, in which he says
that it was Cardinal Rampollas own
action that persuaded the Conclave
not to elect him. He rose up and
pointed out that the veto was OF no
legal Importance, and an attempt to
restrict the liberty of the Church AT
the same time he begged the Car
dinals to choose another candidate.
IF he had lifted his little finger, says
Cardinal Matthew he would have been
elected, veto or no veto.
The new Canon Law provides us
with the text of the Constitution of
Plus K dated January 20, 1904, which
snnaks of the civil veto as something
which in course of time shows itself
more and more devoid of all founda-
tions of reason and equity and de-
cIares it abolished. Hence all the
Cardinals in future under pain of eX-
communication latae sententiae, are
forbidden to undertake the function,
of presenting the veto, even IN the
form of a wish; and they are earnest
w exhorted when electing a new Pope
to pay no attention to the requests or
wishes of secular princes or to any
worldly influence.
This decision was embodied in an
oath which was taken by the Car
dinals for the first time in the Con-
sistpry of 1911:-"We shall never in
any way accept, under any pretext,
from any civil power whatever, the
office of proposing the veto or exclu-
sive, even under the form of mere
desire, however it may have become
known to us,-either to the entire
College of Cardinals taken as a body,
or to the individual Fathers Cardinals;
in writing or orally, directly or proX-
imately or indirectly and through
others, either before the conclave or
during it; and that we shall never
lend aid or favor to any Intervention
or intercession, or any other method
whatever by which the lay-poweTs of
any grades or order whatsoever may
wish TO interfere in the election OF the
Pontiff"
What is meant by "the Roman
Question?
The Roman Question" is the way
we ordinarily refer to the status OF
the Holy Father before the world, and
in particular to his legitimately in
herited sovereign rights which were
torn from him by Italy in 1870.
Is it superstition to believe that the
water of Lourdes, carried from across
the sea, can assist the sick.
No, it is not superstition. Analysis
of the water of Lourdes proves that it
has the usual properties of water, that
it is, not essentially different from
other water of the same neighborhood.
No supernatural virtue resides in the
water, as water and no such virtue is
attributed to it in that capacity.
What is the attitude of the devout
Catholic towards the water of
Lourdes? He knows whence the
water came; he has read or heard the
story of Lourdes; he is aware of the
appearances of the Blessed Mother to
the little Bernadette; he knows the
relation of the Virgin Mary to our
Lord; he is aware of her power OF
intercession All this is part OF his
faith. At the same time he knows
that God has answered Mary's inter
cession at Lourdes and he believes
that God can grant him the favor OF
restored health. So, the water OF
Lourdes bids him pray to Mary, in
creases his faith in God, calls forth
the microscopy power of Gods
Mother, adds to the ardor of the
mans prayer, and his health is re
stored There is no superstition in
this; in the light of faith it is down
right common sense. God can cure
the sick whenever and wherever He
pleases; it is fact that He has beer
pleased to exercise His healing power
at Lourdes and through the waters Of
Lourdes. 1t is evident that God has
been pleased to honor His Mother il
this way, and His children bless Hin
for it.