MUSSOLINI AND THE VATICAN

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 7

MUSSOLINI AND THE VATICAN

« MORE FRIENDLY RELATIONS. A very favourable impression has been made in Vatican circles (says the Loudon “Observer’s” Romo correspondent) by the close of Mussolini s speech in Parliament, in which ho invoked the help of God to enable him to carry out bis arduous task, and also by the reference to the Catholic religion “Tho liberty of all religions will he maintained, and especial respect shown for tho dominant, religion of the country. which is Catholicism.” This declaration has been followed by somo remarks made to journalists at. Lausanne. “My spirit is profoundly religious,” said the Italian Premier. ’ “Religion is a formidable force which should' be respected and defended. That is whv lam against the anti-clerical and atheist, democracy, which only represents a worn-out partycry. I "consider that Catholicism is a great spiritual power, and I confidently hope that the relations between the Italian State ami the Vatican will henceforth bo very friendly. Mussolini would welcome the presence of a Vatican emissary at the Tiausanne OonferHico to uphold the interests of Cutholic minorities in IXirkoy. “T cannot presume to advise such an old as that of the A ntican. but T thmk that tho presence of a representative nf the Vatican at iho conferences would be both usefu_ and op--I>olt U is stated that Mussolini intends to include two prelates in the next hatch of senators: Cardinal Maili, Archbishop of Pisa. . and Monsignor Endrioi, Prince-Archbishop of Trent. A special article of the Statute of the Italian Kingdom provides for the admission to the Senate of bishops and archbishops” ; but since 18/0 no such nominations have over been made, and it is probably safe to sav that they have not oven been thought of. This new direction in Italian policy, if carried out, is bound to have far-reach-ing consequences. If the memebrs of the Catholic, hierarchy become statesmen and Italian statesmen become conciliatory in their views towards the Church', the result in the long run is hound to be beneficial for the country. The hands of the Government would lie enormously strengthened if “the thorn in the flesh” of constant internal dissension between Clinrch and State were to bo cveu partinlly removed-