THE POPE'S HEALTH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 5

THE POPE'S HEALTH.

SLIGHT OPERATION CONTEMPLATED. By Telccrapb—i'cess Associalion-Oopyrteht Rome, August 10. The Popo has had-a refreshing sleep, and his temperature is lower. Tho doctors contemplate a slight operation on his knee. A GREAT PROGRAMME, THE LATE POPE'S REFORMS. A Roman. Catholic writer has ' stated that tho historian of the present Pontificate will certainly dwell with enthusiasm on the following features of the late Pope's great, programme—"To restore all thiugs in Christ," which Pius X gave as tho motto of his reign in the •first encyclical ho addressed to tho world: — 1. The reformation of sacred music, by restoring the Gregorian chant to the purity of its golden age and by banishing theatrical music from tho houso of God. 2. The apostolic visitation of Rome and all the dioceses of Italy, by which numerous abuses were removed and a new spirit of zeal and fervour infused into both clergy and laity. 3. Tho reformation of ecclesiastical education—(a) by ordaining that candidates for the priesthood must study theology four years and philosophy for three years, and (b) by abolishing in Italy the small and anaemic seminaries and gathering the students into flourishing district seminaries, where they have the advantage of good professors, and are, at the same time, ablo to follow the general courses leading to the governmental universities. 4. Tho reformation of catechetical instruction in the parishes—a measure very necessary in many countries, and not least of all throughout a large part of Italy. 5. Tho formation of Biblical Commission. G. The condemnation of tho heresy of modernism, and the vigorous means adopted for putting an end to it. 7. The promulgation of a new and universal code of laws, the first attempt ever made to give comnleto unity in ecclesiastical legislation. (The first fruit of this codification of tho Church's laws was the decree of August 2, 1907, on espousals and • marriage.) 8.. To this record the "New Zealand Tablet" adds (he qrCk-.t 1908 reform of tho Vatican Congregations (or Denartments through which the business of tho Universal Church is conducted). Tn June. 11)08, the Pone, by an ArjosHic Constitution, decreed the reorganisation of these congregations. Some of the minor confrreirations were abolished, and their work divided among the olhers; other congregations were reorganised; anew congregation was established dealing with the disciplinary side of the sacraments (matrimony in its various aspects ine'uded), their dosmatic side remaining as heretofore, under tho direction of the Holy Office, of. which the Pone will continue tn be, ex officio, the Prefect: and (among other useful reforms) a body of exnerts in canon law wa« retained for the gratuitous service of tho poor.