The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-07-05
MGR. CERRETTI'S MISSION.

MGR. CERRETTI'S MISSION.
The Most Reverend Archbishop
Cerretti, under Secretary OF State,
returned to Rome this week from
Paris whittier he had gone on an
important mission for Pope Bene-
dict XIV. On his return he made
report to the Holy Father and
Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secre-
tary of State, both Of whom con-
graduated him warmly on the sue
cess Of his mission.
The purpose Of Archbishop Ger
retti's visit to Paris was, accord
ing to the ''Osservatore Romano"
to present memorial to the Paris
conference regarding changes and
amendments in the clauses Of the
peace treaty which concerned the
future welfare Of Catholic mis-
sions in what were until recently
German colonies. The welfare
and independence of these mis-
sions were threatened by two ar
ticles OF the peace treaty.
"Article 1922" it says, in it's
issue Of the LIST inst, establishes
that the local Government may
expel from their respective dis
tricts all the residents Of German
origin and fix the conditions of
their residence. All, be it noted,
residents Of German origin with
out any exception or distinction,
therefore even Catholic mission
aries. And though the Article
does not expressly prescribe eX-
pulsion, this is aimed att
"Article 1885," continues the
Vatican organ, "establishes that
the property Of the Missions in
general, and therefore Of the Cath
Ollie Missions, are to be admins
tered by a Council nominated by
the local Government, composed
Of Christians (and thus they may
be Protestants, Schismatics, Free
masons, bad Catholics, naturally
enemies to Germans), which will
exercise vigilance in such a way
that the incomes Of the admins
tration may continue to go to the
Missions in general, whether Cath
Ollie or non-Catholic it makes nc
matter. ...
The editorial then points out
that the result may be that either
the good work Of the missions
may be brought entirely to an end
by the expulsion Of the German
missionaries and the lack of others
to replace them or the schools
churches and other property OF
the missions, being administered
by council, called Christian, but
possibly composed Of Protestants
Freemasons or any persons what
ever, may be devoted to Other
than Catholic purposes.
The "Osservatore' calls atten
ton to the fact that the Pope has
a divine right to send apostles t.
infdels; that clause 122 infringe:
this right, and that the missions
are Catholic property, many O
them being legally vested in thu
Sacred Congregation Of the Pro
paganda Of the Faith. 1t declares
also that in case missionaries q
outside their priestly office anC
mix in politics, this congregation
will Immediately recall them t.
their duty.
The Papal organ having thu
lucidly shown the injustice Of tn
clauses as worded, it was fel
that with the expert aid Of Mon
signor Cerretti at hand in Paris
there should be no difficulty IL
arranging the future Of these mis-
sions without infringing the RICH
Of the Holy See.
The report given by Archbishop
Cerretti to the Holy Father on hi
return to Rome dealt with change
made in the peace treaty regard
ing Catholic missions in forme
German colonies and the protec
ton Of their property.