THE LATEST "DEFENDER OF THE FAITH."

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 10 August 1905, Page 4

THE LATEST "DEFENDER OF THE FAITH."

The cable message of yesterday notifying the transfer by the Pope of the protectorate of the Franciscan Conventuals from France to Italy indicates a departure more important and involves consequences more far-reaching than may appear at first sight. Its probable effect on the future politics, not of Europe alone, but of the world, it would be difficult to over-estimate, nor can the readjustment of important interests that must necessarily follow be • all at once foreseen. Regarded in the light of recent events, it will doubtless be accepted as a otep in the process of an orderly though rapid evolution ; but its complete unexpectedness proves how easily events might have been ordered otherwise. No prophet appears to have forecast the event — m fact, many shrewd observers of the signs of the times were anticipating, almost as a foregone conclusion, developments in quite a different direction. One thing it will make very clear — that the Pope, though he may not advertise himself after the manner of the potentate who would fain be the arbiter of European affairs, is quite as astute a politician and has still to be reckoned with ; and further, that, as the world has already had cause to suspect, he is free from the shackles of any traditional policy. The action he has taken would have been inconceivable on the part of Pius IX., and scarcely more possible to his immediate predecessor. When we contrast the attitude of the Papacy to the Quirinal during the closing years of the pontificate of Leo XIII. with the practical recognition of the 'Italian Government by Pius X., we find ourselves face to face with one of the swiftest and most remarkable developments in modern history. The most effective agent in bringing about the change has been that portentous element in European society known, for want of a better title, as "Socialism." Opposed to tho established order of the State, bitterly opposed to all Churches, and especially to the Church of Rome, it has availed itself of constitutional methods to become an important factor in the affairs of every European State. 'The Roman Catholic Church, oven where it was established by law, has found its freedom so restricted and its operations so embarrassed that it has been driven to seek shelter beneath the Union Jack or , the Stars and Stripes to carry out its objects, without vexatious interference. In France, the anti-clerical movement has amounted to little less than jrersecution. The religious < schools have been suppressed, convents closed, and members of religious orders expelled, so that to-day Britain is receiving refugees of a foroign speech and of a creed which has only in comparatively recent years been tolerated by the State. Yet this very France has long held the now anomalous position of Protector of Catholic Missions throughout 'the world — a position carrying with it no small political prestige, and which, when insult has been offered to a missionary or outrage inflicted, though the sufferer may have been Spanish or Italian, has many times Rfforded her a pretext for securing a military and commercial footing i» quarters previously/ closed against her activities. The anoma-lies-of the position, and the possibilities it afforded to advance his own aims, have not been lost sight of by the German Empei*or. He has long been using all his blandishments to the Roman Catholic hierarchy, in order that they might perceive that Oodlin, and not Short, was tho true friend. In many quarters it bus been quite a foregone conclusion, not only that a new Protector of Missions must be found, but that William of Germany would be the man. With so pdlent an engine in his hnnds, he could have used it to far more purpose than France has ever done in promoting his schemes of political and military aggrandisement. Naturally, however, the Pope has the interest of the Church in view, rather than the schemes of a European Power which has at times been anything but friendly to Rome. The Encyclical issued less than two months ago was recognised as of more than ordinary significance. Primarily, it was a powerful denunciation of modern Socialism, against which the faithful were warned as a disorderly force eeeking the overthrow of society. In Australia-, coming just after the ■ Ca.rdin.al had given the Socialist Party his approval, it was. somewhat embarrassing, and, aa will be remembered, Mr. Reid used it effectively in his anti-Socialist campaign. In Europe, however, the significant point was that it contained, for the first time, even a partial recognition of the Italian Government. In order to defeat the common enemy, Socialism, the faithful were not only permitted, but encouraged, to make use of the franchise, and to take part in public affairs. As a matter of fact, they had already done so to a largo extent, but the authoritative permission was none the less significant, in view of the uncompromising attitude the Vatican had hitherto consistently maintained. Yet no ons could have foreseen the still more important step that has just been taken. If it does not amount to a complete recognition of the Italian tJov* emment, such a full recognition can scargely be much longer deferred — it is the only logical result. The entire protcctorato has not been ,tnken from France : the transfer is limited to certain important missions in the East. Hero is wisdom also — Franco may yet tako tho hint and repent. The result should give wide-spread satisfaction in Europe. It Irill certainly not please William 11., but will not bo the less acceptable on that account.