Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-04-07
ITALY AND
TIE VATICAN.

Not the least lenificant-per-
haps, in some ways the most i'm
portant-news yesterday was the
Washington dispatch with regard
to the reported reconciliation be-
tween the Vatican and the Italian
Government Since 1S4S. when
Plus TX was driven temporarily
from Rome by the republican agita-
ton for. Italian unity, and more
especially since the seizure of that
city in September. 1870, by Italian
troops on the withdrawal Of the
French garrison. the relations be-
tween the spiritual and the tempo
raj powers in Italy have been dip
lomatieally strained, if not hostile.
The situation has been a peculiar
one. The downfall of the temporal
power of the Vatican created wild
enthusiasm in Italy. one of the most
Catholic of countries. II was not
regarded as an irreparable calamity
by thoughtful Catholics elsewhere.
There has never been any real hope
of the restoration Of that power;
and. though this has not been offic-
tally conceded. the Wisest friends of
the church have felt that the loss
of temporal power was blessing in
disguise. What was lost in eXter-
nal appearances was more than
atoned for in spiritual gains. If
there was any martyrdom. the mar.
tyrdom has paid the usual profit in
the glorfication and strengthening
Of the martyrs cause.
The arrangement now said to be
made after these generations of
feud is q recognition of the dignity
of the Vatican. but not of its TEN.
poral claims. A spiritual sovereign.
ty is accorded certain eourtesies
and conveniences. Nevertheless,
the reconciliation, or the treaty of
peace, is Illuminating as To the Gov
crnment's pressing needs as we'll as
TO the powerful influence of the
Holy See. The Government in re.
turn for its concessions is pledged
the support of the Church and the
Catholic party in the Italian Parli.
ament in its desperate battle with
radicalism, Thus there is a rever,
sion to the alliance Whsh states.
manship in trouble has often made
before, and from which in the long
run statcsmanship has profited
more than the church. The fact is
that Roman Catholicism has always
grown stronger on persecution than
on prosperity. Revolutions in gov
eminent, in thought. in learning. in
science, that were expected to blot
it out have ended by establishing il
more firmly. Whether it Will be in
jured or benefited BY the conces.
Sions to the Vatican will depend
very largely on the use that is made
of them, upon the spirit in which
they are received. upon the wisdom
and vision with which the head OF
the church looks out upon the mod
en world. \ react:onary attitude,
encouraged by apparent triumph,
may cost far more than the victory
is worth. In Italy, in France, in
this country, even in Spain, the
modern churchman draws more and
moe strictly the line between relig-
ious and public authority. He does
not allow either to enepoaeh on the
other. When this principle is VIC
lated-and one church is as apt to
violate it as another, if it las too
much power, as We have seen in the
case of the Eighteenth Amendment
there are breakers ahead FOR those
who attempt it,
Those who regard the Roman
Church AS great stabilizing and
conservative influence will hope
that only good to Italy, humanity
and itself will come from its re.
ported alliance with the Italian gov
eminent. But It is obviously a deli
cate situation that demands an eX.
traordinary combination of wisdom
and unselfishness, of Christian
craftsmanship, of sympathetic un.
derstand!ns Of the world today If
there were a man Of Cardinal Glib.
hons type a Rome. the Vatican
would not only secure through this
adjustment a road 10 the sea, but
many new roads to general conf
dence and good will-Baltimore
Sun end. Dem0.