PAPAL STATE.

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1929, Page 5

PAPAL STATE.

ITS RECONSTITUTION. Celebrations at Rome. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) HOME, February 8. The signing of the treaty between the {State and the Papacy is fixed foi the morning of February 11, insteaa uf Sunday, as the “It Deunl” wit be sung on feuntiay_ to celebrate the anniversary of the- Pope’s coronation. There will be two distinct treaties, one of an international characli.r. dealing with the Boman question; the other e.'tablishing a Concordat, deal ing with ecclesiastical and reiigioin: legislation in Italy. The News in Italy. DELAYED FOR “TE DEUK.” (Received Feb 10 at 55 p.m.j LONDON, February 9, It is a curious fact that the news of the settlement of the Boman question has thus far been withheld from the Italian public; a; the Italian press, has U 'OU strictly prohibited fretn publishing anything. Hence, what the whole world already knows will become official news in >XtaJy only to-morrow, when Signor Mussolini will issue a simple communication to the public. Tht official agencies .will communicate the news to the Italian press, and tEe natidn’s first intimation will be given on Sunday during the celebration of the Pdpe Pius Xl.’a coronation. CEREMONY AT ST PETER’S LONDON, February 9. The ceremony in conn! ction with the. .seventh anniyer.-ary of the Pope’s, coronation, instead of as hitherto, being held in the Sistine Chapel will be held in the Basilica of St Peter’s. At the conclusion ol the ceremony, the Po.pe <wil? appear at the Loggia

front of St Peter’s, accompanied by Cardinals, and will bless the people of Rome. The Pope will also extend his blessing to the entire Ro.mjau Catholic world. Tro opt will pay the Pontiff honours, and a ‘military salute will be fill'd from the batteries near Borne. The bells of Saint Beier’s and of all ttil‘ churches in Rome will be rung. It is pointed out that the settle ment in no wise means that the Government intends to enforce the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church in Italy. It is stated that no marked change is likely to occur immediately in the relations between the British Government and the Holy See. The full text of the treaty shows, two clauses hitherto not mentioned. One, relating to religious instruction, provides that the Catholic University of the Sacred Hliart at Milan-, shall be regarded in all respects as equal to the Italian State universities, but its professors nyjy only be appointed with the approval of the Archbishop of Milan, in order to prevent the university losing its religious character. The other clause establishes that all matrimonial questions are within the excluaivV- competence of ecclesiastical authority. Divorce, naturally will not exist. A compromise has been reached regarding legal separation, which the Pope agreed to* draft. Separations would Hj allowed, but only the State Courts will grant separations.

WILL POPE VISIT ENGLAND. LONDON, February 9. It has been suggested that that the Pope is in a position to leave the Vatican, he may journey to London and return th/.l State visit paid him by Their Majesties at Borne in IMS. The Pope knows London, which he visited before his election, and nw Holiness speaks splendid English. Nevertheless, it is doubtful whether he will leave the Vatican territory for some time. Should he go to London, he would have to be received with the full honours paid to Sovereigns, and he will come, not as Head of the Church, but as a King. A “Daily Express” special correspondent points out that the. attitude of many Protestants in England towards the Holy See is decidedly militant, and says a State visit is likely to create a peculiar position. The present Pope’s last visit to London was in 1914, when he attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral.