Glasgow Courier. — 1861-04-04 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE POPE'S ALLOCUTION.  Although it is reported from Rome that the Pope's allocution in the Consistory of March 18 way (with unprocendented despatch) printed and distributed to the cardinals on the same evening, the text is not yet known in Paris. The following is, however, a full analysis "His Holiness begins by declaring that a conflict is going on between error and truth—between light and darkness—between vice and virtue. He places in juxtaposition those who extol and defend the principles of modern civilisation and those who hold fast to the principles of the Catholic religion. The first would make the Papacy bend to what is called modern progress and liberalism, while the others, on the contrary, desire to see it remain firm, preserving intact the principles of eternal justice and religion as the only remedy for the many evils which now afflict society—its only salvation. His Holiness would have confidence in the partisans of modern civilisation if their acts were based upon justice and the true principles of right and morality. But as these apostles of modern civilisation pretend to love and respect the Catholic religion, the Pope, to prove their insincerity, refers to the many opinions and principles hostile to the Church which they maintain; to the concordats which they have abolished, as, for instance, at Naples; to the protection granted in Italy, a country eminently Catholic, to all sorts of religions; to the employment of infidels in high office; to the persecution and abolition of religions orders; to the suppression of Catholic schools, the confiscation of church property, and the banishment of cardinals, bishops, and priests. He reproaches the apostles of this pretended civilisation with granting large subsidies to anti-Catholic institutions, and with persecuting the Catholic press, while they leave all enemies of the Church absolutely free to write whatever they please. They encourage libertinism, and wink at violence, but are severe towards the newspapers that defend religion and justice. His Holiness proceeds to affirm that the Holy See has ever defended true civilisation, as history will testify, but that the Pope cannot associate himself with those who light against the Church and destroy the faith. He declares that the revolution prepared by those who vaunt themselves as the disciples of civilisation tends to destroy that great institution which for eighteen centuries has been the glory of Italy, and that not because it was incompatible with reforms' but with the sole intent of making war upon the Church. The Pope affirms that when the legitimate princes or Italy granted free institutions, he made such con cessions as he judged useful, and for the happiness of his people; but these concessions served only to give additional strength to the enemies of the Papacy, who went so far as to murder his Minister on the steps of the Parliament House. He adds, that he had lately promised to grant reforms justly recommended by the Catholic Powers, but that he had repudiated the demands and insinuations that he should renounce a part of the province, the dominion of which had been usurped from him. The authors of this usurpation called not for reforms, but for an absolute cession of the temporal sovereignty. They were not content with destroying the civil principality of the Popes in Italy, they wanted to destroy the Church. How could it be expected that the Pope could be reconciled with them? It was impossible for him to renounce the principles of eternal justice and the protection of the Church. He could not (non pownonu.9) consent to a usurpation of the States of the Holy See. The Pope declares, however, that he is always ready to forgive his enemies, and to pray God to enlighten , them. He concludes by exhorting the cardinals to prepare to suffer all the calamities which it may please God to allow them to be afflicted with, and reminds them that the entire episcopacy of the Catholic world rallies round the Holy See."