Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12th., 1929. VATICAN-QUIRINAL PACT

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1929, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12th., 1929. VATICAN-QUIRINAL PACT

T IIE details of the agreement be-

tween the Vatican and the Quirinal are mainly a matter concerning the principals, but the fact that the 60 years old dispute is, at last, settled, gives cause for general gratification. The voluntary “imprisonment” of a Pope within the confines of the Vatican was not beneficial to the great Church of which he is the head, nor to the world community. The restriction of the Pope’s personal activities lessened his influence for good, on important international issues, such as the maintenance of peace, and was, in particular, detrimental to Italian welfare. For years, the Popes stood fast for a principle, and whatever individual opinions

may be as to the merits of Papal temporal power, it was clear that the Vatican authorities regarded it as essential, and for many years they have suffered for their convictions.

Questions are already being raised as to the pact’s possible effect on Fascism, and serious difficulties are predicted. It does seem impossible to avoid these, but, doubtless, all such aspects were considered and discussed by those ( who were responsible for the new treaty, which was not arrived at in a hurry. Yet it seems clear that Fascist dictatorship will have to be modified. Some of the tactics against political opponents have been sheer terrorism. Vatican influence must be adverse to unChristian methods and to polities making the Italian King a mere figure-head, controlled by the Fascist Grand Council. A day of greater freedom has dawned for Italy, and this alone will make the new pact worth while. In addition, it should check the Mussolini tendency to rattle the sabre against foreign critics, and prevent outside misunderstandings about Italian aggression.

Some non-Catholics are reported to be perturbed about Papal temporal power, but as the Pope himself has said, the territory now allotted to him is very small. It is improbable that any attempt will be made to revive one-time strength of the Pope’s .military forces, and his temporal power can have little effect on any outside Italy. Nor can any cause for grievance arise from the Pope’s visit to England or the United States, if this takes place. He would doubtless be received with considerable enthusiasm by his followers in those countries, and by courtesy from all others. What will be the fruits of the new treaty can only be guessed at, meanwhile, hopes and fears influencing some of the prophets, but it is now certain that the pact promises to be to the benefit of all concerned, and it is to be hoped that its working will materialise this promise.