Roman Notes.
New Zealand Tablet, Rōrahi XIX, Putanga 1, 3 Whiringa-ā-nuku 1890, Page 5
Mō tēnei niupepa
Roman Notes.
Reports of the Pope's illness are chronic and inevitable. They have been constant of late with respect to Leo XIII. But fortunately there was no particular foundation for them. His Holiness continues to enjoy sound health— relative to his advanced age. Since the summer months set in he has spent the principal part of the day in the Vatican gardens, seeking a change there from the monotony of his apartments ia the palace, and aparently with benefit to himself.
The bishops and priests of Malta have addressed a strong prot«Bt to the Holy Father against the objects of the mission of Sir John Lintorn Simmons to the Vatican, and the representations made respecting them by the envoy. They remind the Pope of the independence promised to the Maltese Church when the island was placed under the protection of Great Britain. They protest indignantly against the charge of ignorance brought against the clergy, adducing proofs of its falsehood, and further pointing out the inconsistency of advancing it while at the same time a proposal was made for the removal of Italian Jesuits engaged in the work of education at Gozo. The petitioners are very outspoken in making their intentions known to the Pope. •• Tour Holiness' petitioners," they pay, for example, " far from pretending to examine the acts of Pontifical authority, to which they declare themselves obedient in everything, most humbly beg Yonr Holiness to turn Your Holiness' eyes over this island, which, first and foremost, had before her mind the glory of having been for many ages devoted to the Holy See, in order that Your Holiness may prevent the impending conflicts between the people and the Government, as the former intend to oppose, by every means, all measures resorted to by the Government against their rights und liberties. — Your Holiness' petitioners fear, and not without foundation, that the consequence may be a great detriment to the faith preached by their glorious Father, the Apoßtle of the Gentiles, which has never suffered any alteration." It is, in fact, evident that in any attempt made by the British Government to rule a Catholic people by means of an appeal to the Vatican, there is always a thiid party determined also to obtain consideration.
The London Daily Chronicle still seems to command the confidence of a world that is not better informed. Its Roman news, notwithstanding many notable failures on its part, continues to command attention and to be telegraphed as authentic throughout the world. It is thus, for example, we are to account for a late report to the effect that the Pope was abont to summon a council of bishops and cardinals. Details were that the council was preparatory to the next conclave, and that everything was to be arranged, with the important exception of naming the cardinal to be elected as Pope. The whole matter, however, had originated in the fertile imagination of the Chronicle's correspondent.
An a celebration of the Feast of 88. Peter and Paul this year, Bignor Marncchi, the fam oue archaeologist, read a paper at a meeting ot the literary society of the Arcadia on the monuments remaining of the presence of the Apostles in Rome. His researches, especially respecting the traditions relating to St. Peter, were very clear and convincing, and left no poßfible opening for donbt.
The Holy Father has not been rendered by his own confinement regardless of the needs of others, and. of their natural desire forcba.ige and relaxation. He has, therefore, recently provided the students of the Tatican Seminary with a pleasant country-house in the Sabine Hills. His Holiness took the opportunity uf a musical entertainment, given him as a mark of gratitude by the students, to recommend particularly to their attention the Gregorian chant, which he is anxious to have introduced into more exclusive use in the ceremonies of the Church.
The results of the infamous law of confiscation of the Opere Pie have not been long in making themselves felt. They have already appeared in the closing of several churches, on pretence that they were supeifluous, and that the funds derived from their sale might better be converted to purposes of benevolence. Benevolence, in this instance, necessarily means provision for the wants or luxuries of favoured individuals. Sacrilege and. profanation, however, may well have their issue io another theft. It may be added that oue of the churches thus closed and destined to profanation, is that of the Pieta in the Piazza Colonna, especially interesting from possessing a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin,
The death of Cardinal Palotti has occurred from paralysis. His Eminence was a native of the Alban Hills, and was nephew of the Tenerable Palotti whose process of beatification is now in hand. He was raised to the purple in 1887, and was aged 63,- RJ.P,
The feeling against Aus'ria which still liDgers in Italy has recently been stirred up by the closing by the Government in question of a society whose avowed object was to aid Italian subjects in foreign countries, but which was accused of exciting in Austrian territory, unfriendly feeling towards the Government and acting Btaretly in the interests of Unredeemed Italy. A demonstration respecting the matter was arranged to take place throughout Italy, but was hindered by the authorities.
A sample of manna has been sent to the Borgia museum of Propaganda, by a Capuchin miseionary stationed at Diarbekir, in Mesopotamia. It is in the shape of globules, which had fallen in quantities duriDg a heavy storm — and which were found capable of being ground and made into bread. The event was the more mysterious Bince nothing of the kind was known to exist among the products of the country. Fifty years ago, however, a similar occurrence is said to have taken place there,
