Year: 1866

The Pope of Rome and the Grand Council at


Baltimore.


A Grand Council OF the Roman Catholic
Church will meet at Baltimore on the first Sun
day In October This event is Of great interest
to the whole religious world, and In order to
afford our readers all possible information in
regard to II we publish to-day an admirably
compiled historical sketch Of all the previous
councils that have been held upon this con-
tinent. Our article gives, in Q condensed
form, number of facts that will be very use
ful to the church dignitaries who assemble
next Sunday, and we therefore recommend 1t
especially to their naetice


One Of the chief topics which the Grand
Council ought to consider is the temporal future
OF the Pope of Rome. His spiritual future is,
OF course, safe enough and il he would only
confins his attention to that the world would
have no difficulty in determining what to do
with him. His most devoted adherents,
however, must by this time fully re-
alize the impossibility of his remaining
at Rome as o temporal prince. For many
years his throne has been supported only
by French bayonets, and they are now
to be withdrawn. Austria can afford him no
protection, for she has recently proved unable
to protect herself Italy is now backed in all
her demands by the powerful voice Of Protes-
tant Prussia, and even Napoleon would not
dare, even if he desired, to oppose an alliance
30 formidable. As a sovereign the Pope has
made his rule so obnoxious to his own subjects
that, in spite of the religious veneration for
his Office, he cannot live among them unless
guarded by foreign mercenaries. Such state
of affairs at Rome is blot upon the nineteenth
century which must be wiped away His Holi-
ness must restore Rome to the Italians, and
restrict his sovereignty to his own special,
spiritual sphere, where he will find every
Roman Catholic willing to recognize his author
ity and obey his commands.


The dignitaries who are to assemble at Bal
timore should rise to the height of the rel-
gious situation and firmly represent these facts
to the Pope. He needs just such earnest, hon.
est, disinterested and unprejudiced advisers as
they are; for he is now surrounded by syco-
plants and by those who are living upon his
III
mislead him. A strong remonstrance from
America would have decisive effect, particu-
larly at this very juncture, when his Holiness
is looking to America for funds to support his
establishment. Our people have shown that,
liberal as they are, they will not give money
to sustain the Pope's temporal kingdom,
although they are willing to donate millions
for the spread Of the Gospel. All Europe must
be in the same mind, or else his Holiness
would not be sending across the Atlantic to
borrow few millions. Ireland is too busy
with John Bright and republicanism to care
where the Pope resides, SO long as he is we'll
provided for The Mexicans have almost for
gotten their religion in the struggle between
Juarez and Macmillan. Canada is the only
part Of the world where contributions to the
Pope's loan are being made with any spirit;
but the Canadians can do little unassisted and
need all their pence to guard against the
Fenians. Since John Bright has been chosen
Anna Head Centre OF the Roberts wing, how
ever, the Fenian fever may die out and the
Canadians be relieved. But even then they
could not support the Pope at Rome, and the
only sensible course left for him is to come over
here and settle in New York. We will guaran-
tee him an elegant palace and a fine income,
and the new cathedral on Fifth avenue shall be
completed for his ST. Peters. Let the Grand
Council send him an earnest invitation, backed
by the arguments at which we have hinted, and
there is but little doubt that he will gladly
accept At any rate this Council will surpass
all Its predecessors by such bold practical
and original measure.