The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-21

LEAVES
MIGHTY RECORD
To HIS CHURCH
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ssuo SIu~bb~bH
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Catholic hierarchy, who at one time
served In the papal secretariat office
with Benedict XIV when the latter was
only priest. ...-.
Mammoth Accomplishment"
''The rule of Benedict XIV as war
pontiff was characterized by nam.
moth accomplishments and unusual
diplomacy" Mgr. Bonzano said. "His
broad endeavors have won the accla-
nation of statesmen from all parts
OF the world, Protestant and Catholic
alike. He was an earnest supporter
OF relief for the stricken peoples Of
all nations during wartime and was
generous with his own purse as well
as that Of the church. No worthy
cause failed his support and no
humanitarian movement went with
'Pope Benedict xV's regime a,
bishop Of Rome and head Of the Roman
Catholic Church saw great works per.
formed for the church. Relations,
which had been severed for long
periods OF years, were re-established
with the papal See by France, Eng.
land, Portugal, Poland, Cxecho- Slo-
valxia and several South American 70
publics. His holiness was always a
man Of unusual personal charm.
Neutral I'm War.
During the war he maintained q
strict neutrality. and exerted every ef-
fort to bring about a cessation Of hos
tilities. Long before peace was de.
clared the Pope had made proposals
for peace"
Mgr. Bonzano refused to comment
today on the -selection Of a successor
to Pope Benedict, saying that any one
Of the seventy cardinals was equally
eligible, and that the matter was en-
tirely one for the conclave of cardinals
to decide. IL the necessity arose.
Tribute by Mgr. Thomas.
The Rt. Rev. Mgr. c. F. Thomas,
Of st. Patrick's Church, declared the
suddenness Of the death Of his holi-
ness, Pope Benedict XIV, almost leaves
us speechless. We had counted so
much on his wisdom, piety, and ex-
perience to guide the church along
the troublous times in which we find
ourselves. At his election seven years
ago Catholics throughout the world.
who keep in touch with affairs and
happenings, rejoiced that the choice
OF q successor to the sanity Plus X
had fallen upon the humble cardinal
archbishop Of Boulogne. 1t was a
supreme moment.
The great war had begun; and the
nations were in extreme difficulty;
the old order seemed on the point of
expiring; the church, though per.
petual or eternal, would in her ex-
ternal life be affected by the changed
circumstances. The power welded by
the heq Of the Catholic Church could
not but be acknowledged an a source
OF strength and vitality In whichever
way he should cast his voice or use
his influence.
Many would try, as they did try.
to coerce him and win him over to
their side-independently Of right or
reason. But Benedict XIV maintained
the traditional position of the Papacy,
ana could not condemn, at the mere
wish or caprice Of any nation; and
faithfully preserved the spirit Of his
high office, and wavered not in the
exercise Of the divine prerogative, and
strove to impress all with the instincts
Of heavenly justice and to introduce
the demands Of divine charity among
all. The principles which were his to
but 1t needed a firm hand and a clear
mind to occupy the position when
Plus x was called hence to his reward.
and to keep the Church Of Christ
steered securely.
This Benedict XIV did: and the
Church will ever treasure his memory
as one Of the strongest and mightiest
Pontiffs who have been chosen as the
successors Of St Peter, in his office
Of ruling and feeding and governing
the church which Christ established.
And though we know that God will
raise UP another fitted for the supreme
pastorship Of the church, yet we can
not help feeling-humanly speaking
the sense Of distinct loss In the pass
ing Of His Holiness, Pope Benedict
XIV.
Mgr. Thomas announced today that
upon papal notification Of the Pope's
death solemn pontifical mass would be
celebrated at St. Patrick's Church next
Saturday morning ut o'clock, with
the apostolic delegate In charge.