Year: 1870

The German bishops have given US good
reason to look for something in the shape OF
opposition at their hands. We know we'll what
the feeling of Catholic Germany is in the mat
ter of infallibility. It has been openly pro-
nounced, and in language neither soft nor equi-
vocal. But we have waited for the expression
of this German spirit in the Council. We did
not expect it to be rash; for rashness is not
characteristic Of the German mind. But we
did expect it. 1t is gratifying now to know
that Bishop Strossmayer, Of Hungary, has
broken silence, and that, if he has not flung
a frebrand into the Council, he has
at least given proof to the world
that holy men who 60 in for the presence Of
the Holy Spirit, for infallible guidance and for
infalllbility in the person Of the Vicar Of
Christ are after all very much like the rest Of
us, frail and fallible mortals. Our latest news
is to the effect that Bishop Strossmayer moved
that for the definition Of an article Of faith
the entire concurrence Of the cpiscopate be
considered necessary. The result, we are
told, was violent opposition. The Bishop was
insulted, driven from the tribune and threat
ened. OF course, this is a meagre and imper-
feet report; but, considering the temper Of
the German bishops generally, it must be
accepted as substantially true. If it be true
many win ask the question, wherein are
the assembled bishops at Rome better or wiser
than our Washington and Albany Legislators


That crisis has arrived in the history Of
the Council must be admitted. 1t is, in fact,
apparent to the world. All our recent letters
and cable dispatches 60 to show that the Pope
and the ultramontane party are determined to
have infalibility proclaimed, and that the
Gallican and German and American parties are
just as determined that 50 far as they are con-
cerned no such dogma shall be proclaimed


DR.. Manning, of London, aud Dupanloup, of
Orleans, head the respective parties Man
ming has the advantage Of being at the head of
the majority; but this advantage is danger
ously counterbalanced by the fact that he
represents Catholic State, or rather the Cath
olic States. Manning may command numbers
and much intellectual ability, but Dupanloup
empires. The situation in the Council is
really serious. We never thought it should
come to this. We knew that the Coun-
Gil was convened merely for the purpose
Of defining and proclaiming the personal infal-
libility Of the Holy Father. 1t was our
opinion, however, that respect would be
shown to powerful minority, and that the
fear of dividing the Church would prevent the
assembled fathers and the advisers of his
Holiness from pushing matters to extremities.
In this last particular we have to admit we
were mistaken. The infallibilists are resolute.
They have the power, and they Aean to seit
Right or wrong, schism or no schism, infalli-
bility, in their judgment, is q necessity of the
age, and it must be proclaimed. In this
emergency the civil Powers who have hitherto
looked on have stepped in and demanded
hearing. Count Daru, the present Minister of
Foreign Affairs in France, has demanded that,
in the event Of inhnibility being discussed
and brought to a vote, Franco have in
the Council a lay representative. 1t
is said that Count Daru has received
a letter from Rome in reply to his de-
mand, although the nature and contents of
the reply have not been made public. Much,
very much, depends on that answer. 1t was
proper that France should take the lead in this
matter; for France is the leading Catholic
Power It is France that maintains the Pope
in Rome. But for French bayonets, where
would be the temporal power? The temporal
power gone, where would be the Pope? If
the reply to France be favorable; if France
is permitted to send lay representative to
the Council, Austria will demand the same
privilege or right So will Bavaria. So, too,


in all likelihood will Italy and Spain. Con-
sidcring the large Catholic population Of North
Germany it would not surprise US if Bismarck
insisted on having the same right. These
lay agents in Council may give to the
questions at issue a new complexion
and very seriously affect the result.
If the answer from Rome refuses to allow
lay representative of any Power to take his
seat in the Council, then we shall have France
and Austria and Bavaria and Italy and Spain
in open antagonism to the Holy See. This
may not prevent the Council from bringing in
fallbility to vote and carrying it. But in
SUCH U CHSo tue hOIuuu OuuTCu Will udVc lO5L
every secular arm on which it has hitherto
leaned, and it will find itself opposed to and
by every civil government on the face of the
earth. We have reached point in the history
of the Council when compromise may play
prominent part. In our judgment nothing but
compromise can prevent the Council from be-
coming as much failure as it is already an
anachronsm.


After all, this Roman Council is but reveal
ing on a large scale what all the world has seen
and felt in religious circles. Witness the
Church questions in Great Britain. Witness
the Bible difficulty in the schools in Great
Britain and America. 1t is sad fact that in
this nineteenth century, and in spite Of all our
progress, narrow -mindedness should be the
-. g 49, hoJs