The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1893.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 187, 9 August 1893, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1893.

._ <s y For tins cause that lacks assictancs, Per the TTioas that needs resistance, For the future ia the distance. And the good that tra can do.

There are many signs that the Papaj influence is rapidly increasing among the European nations. The lates* evidence of this is the ultima*

tion made by Count Caprivi to the Vatican, that the German Government will not oppose the return of the religious Orders to Germany. The concession is probably due to political causes and is meant as a recompense for the assistance rendered to the Chancellor, by a section of the Ultra, montane party, in passing the Army Bill. The victory secured has called fiprth from the young Emperor warm expressions of gratitude, and he no doubt feels that the greatest proof of thankfulness he can give is to revoke the decree by which the Jesuits and the other religious Orders were dispelled.

Such an announcement cannot fail to fill the Catholic world with exultation. It is at once a tribute to the diplomatic skill the Pope has shown in the difficult task of negotiating with the German Government, and is a complete reversal of the policy adopted by Prince Bismarck some years ago when the civil and ecclesiastical powers came into conflict. The history of that struggle is well-known and affords a striking proof of the complications that may arise when the civil and ecclesiastical authorities encroach beyond the limits of their respective spheres.

The proclamation of the dogma of infallibility met with fierce opposition from some of the most distinguished members of the clergy in Germany, and the spirit of resistance was increased by the high-handed proceedings taken by Pius IX. to put down all who opposed his pretensions. The German Government would not have interposed if the quarrel had been simply a theological one, but when it was sought to remove excommunicated professors and teachers from public offices, the Emperor and his Ministers refused to assent. If Pius IX. had shown a similar conciliatory spirit to that which has distinguished his successor, some compromise might, have been effected; but His Holiness, unfortunately for himself, was m a bitter mood. The loss of the tempora power had roused him to the highest pitch of exasperation, It is easy

to imagine that he looked uponj Germany as the symbol of revolt. It was there that Luther had successfully organised that movement which rent half the European nations from the Papacy, and inaugurated an era of intellectual and religious freedom. In the defiant attitude of some of the German clergy the " prisoner of the Vatican " discerned incipient signs of rebellion which in his opinion could only be stamped out by uncompromising severity. The lion in the path was Prince Bismarck, and his firm resistance to ecclesiastical domination resulted in a wrestling match between the Papal and German Governments that was for a time disastrous to the interests of the Papal party. The Catholic Department in the Ministry of Public Worship was abolished, and a series of enactments restricted the powers the clergy had hitherto enjoyed, and aimed at placing them under the direct control of the State. War was declared against the religious Orders. The Jesuits, who distinguished themselves by their fierce advocacy^ of Ultramontane doctrines, were particularly obnoxious to the Chancellor, and, notwithstanding the protesis of the Pope, they were expelled from the country.

The policy of conciliation adopted by Leo XIII., when he ascended the papal throne, and which he has consistently pursued throughout the whole course of his Pontificate, har"produced a marked improvement in the position of the Church in various nations. His Holiness declared at the outset that his energies would be applied to reconcile the Church with the Governments of the world. In carrying out this plan he has displayed consummate tact and skill, and has not hesitated, when occasion required, to adopt liberal measures that have shocked the Ultramontane section of the Catholic party. His advice to the Royalists in France to reconcile themselves with the Republic, and to lo ise sight of party interests in the welfare of their common country caused a good deal of grnmbling among the representatives of the old regime, but it could not fail to produce a favourable influence upon the French Government. The same liberal policy has distinguished the Pope's action in marking out a line of policy for his Catholic children in the United States. The conduct of the Ultramontanists, especially with regard to the national system of education, threatened not only to produce a schism in the American Church, but to bring the Papacy into collision with the Government. The Pope has averted this by despatching a Legate whose moderate counsels have smoothed down the difficulties that existed. But the recent concession made by Germany must be especially gratifying to the Vatican. The severity of the " May Laws" had been relaxed sometime before Prince Bismarck vacated the Chancellorship, and recent events have paved the way for removing the last vestige of disability. It is probable that the cordial meeting at the Vatican between the Pope and the Emperor some months ago assisted in closing a quarrel, the continuance of which could only inflict injury on both parties concerned. In whatever light it is viewed the reconciliation wkh the German Government must be numbered among the most important events that have distinguished the present Pontificate.