Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-06

was thc subject OF an able diScourHe
IN 81. letters Church last night. de-
ii'ered by the Rev. Edward y. Bros
nan assistant pastor OF the Sacred
Heart Cathedral
Father Brosnan presented the pos,H
ton OF the Catholic Church towards
the papacy. which Is Interesting at
this time when the eyes OF the world
are on thc Vatican awaiting the
election of successor "a Pope Bene-
dict Nv.
Tells of H-ncdict's Death.
Father Brosnan said. in part:
TWO weeks ago today, on Sunday
January 22d. just as the morning
Anselus bells were summOning the
RomanAto prayer. AT 6 o'clock. The
soul OF Graconio Della Chiesa winged
IT'S hight TO God Pope benedict the
Fifteenth was dead; the two hun
dred and fifty-nin,h successor OF st.
Peter had PASSED away
Instantly the wires burned with the
news: north. east. south and west IL
went. and all the world paused and
prayed, was sad and bcmoancd the
departure OF a great good man. a
true prince OF peace. From tongue
10 tongue went the news. in almost
every language az tn. world was /;
spoken or written and read. The
u.
Church In Widows Weeds.
Why this world wide interest?
Why this universal sorrow? Had he
known all these men who feel so
personal "a sorrow Had they visited
Pope Benedict the Fifteenth In the
Eternal City? No. IA thousand times
no. The world paused paid tribute
OF Interest. grief and prayer because
Christ's universal Catholic Church
was In her widows weeds for her
chief shepherds: because he who
welded the power Of Peter. the power
of the pa2acy. two hundred and
tifty-ninth in dirct line from Peter.
had gone.
The papacy is given the task of
feeding the flock. Of leading II home
to Heaven That is its one great
power. spiritual power, TO lead home
To Heaven the sheep and lambs OF
Christ: To lead them home by the
triple power Of teaching. ruling and
sanctifying them. And to the Pope.
as the chief pastor of Christs flock.
belongs. when he speaks eX cathcdra
in matters of faith and morals. the
supreme note OF infallibility. Hell
Will rise uo against him, but not
prevail. so said Christ
Needed Authority. lie Says.
the need of some infallible authority.
Hence they put ii in a book, the
Bible. Yet. since they severed their
connection with Peter, the infaliible
guide. there are as many teachers of
the Bible. each following his own
opinion. differing from the rest and
teaching that opinion as there are
days in the year. You cannot inter-
pref the Constitution OF these grand
United States as you please you
must follow the Interpretation of the
Supreme Court in disputed interpreted
tons. Yet you may. say they, In
terpret the Word OF God as you
please
These are only mists bcclouding
the brilliant sun of the papacy.
Benedict Is dead-may he rest in
peace. The papacy still lives-an-
other Benedict may b., another Leo.
and. perchance, another Gregory or
Plus will succeed to he Bishop OF
Rome. the two hundredth and six
tieth successor of Peter In the papal
chair.
Confident Of Future.
Storms may come as they have
come. winds will blow as they have
blown. the death carrying zigzag
lightning will fash through the
bark of Peter will sail on weather
ing the storm as IL has wcathercd
many storm. and n Pope Will guide
it finally to port. sitting at the
wheel guiding 1t on infallibly, un-
crringly into the haven of eternity.
Over the hand of that Gregory OF
Leo or Benedict or Plus. or he the
name what II may. is the hand of
Jesus Mt, the invisible guide of the
bark of Peter. who has made two
wonderful promises that "Hc will he
with It all days to the end Of time"
and that 1.-The gates Of hell shall
not prevail against It," Thank God.
my brethren. that my privilege and
yours 1t is to he in that bark: thank
God for the helmsman. unerring. In
fallibIe; thank God for the papacy.
the most sublime, the only stable
fixed power of all time. of all the
world!
DIR. BroughtOn Has Girl Aid.
Miss Mary Waugh will direct child