The Mussolini Of The Vatican.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 8

The Mussolini Of The Vatican.

By Lady Drummond Hay. T™ “Mussolini of the Vatican” is what I heard Pope Pius XI. called in diplomatic, and even in some of the clerical circles in Rome the other day. He is what may well be termed a “Strong Pope.” Not since Leo XIII. has there been so dominant a representative of St Peter, and so aggressive a spirit in the Church. The historical Lateran Treaty between the Vatican and Italy, concluded by Mussolini and Pius XI. last year, was the first and the greatest—but not the only diplomatic—achievement of the latter, calling attention to the new zeal with which the present Pope is inspiring the Church. Pius XI. “rules” in Vatican City as firmly, as unquestionably, as determinedly as Mussolini does in Rome. In some of the Cardinal circles they speak of him with something akin to fear. While there are many indications of recession and lack of zeal in Protestant denominations, there is a strong forward movement noticeable in the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XI. has vision. He holds tenaciously to any course he once sets, and fearlessly grapples with problems as they arise. His campaign against Russia, and the present politico-religious crisis in Malta which has caused strained relations between Britain and the Vatican, are only two instances of the will that rules in the Vatican to-day. Malta is not the only place where the influence of the Church is making itself pronouncedly felt in politics. The new German Cabinet, and recent events in Austria, also have interesting tinder-currents. But the action of the Bishop of Malta in issuing a manifesto, declaring that any one who votes for the party of Lord Strickland and the Government, commits a “mortal sin,” and forbidding priests to administer the Sacrament to such persons, is, to put it mildly, extraordinary. As Pius XI. seems to hold very much the opinion in the Vatican that Mussolini holds in politics, namely, that in the last analysis, one mind must rule, one will dominate, it will be interesting to observe what, the final attitude will be in Malta. (Anglo-American N.S. Copyright.)