Death of his Eminence Cardinal Antonelli.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 191, 24 November 1876, Page 10

Death of his Eminence Cardinal Antonelli.

"My father, my father, the Chariot of Israel, and the driver thereof."

tion of Loretto and of the Consulta, &c. As a statesman his Eminence ranked second to none in. Europe; he was far-seeing, clearheaded, and prudent in the extreme; and had intellectual ability alone availed to avert the evils that overwhelmed the Holy See during his administration, his would have been the hand to have dispersed them. But here wisdom and moderation were insufficient ; brute-force should have opposed bruteforce, and dishonesty been met by dishonesty. Neither, it is needless to say, were at the disposal of the Papal Government, or within the compass of Cardinal Antonelli's powers. Up to the time of death throughout the troubled pontificate of the Holy Father, who nevertheless we are thankful to say survives him, his Eminence was a most faithful and unbending supporter of the Pope, who is known to have been deeply attached to him, and for whom his love and veneration have long been proverbial. One of the surest signs indeed

T is with deep regret that we learn from a recent European telegram of the fatal termination of the illness of his Eminence Cardinal Antonelli. His Eminence was born in April 1806, and thus at the time of his death was in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a member of a family belonging to the Italian middle - classes, and a native of Sonino. By his abilities and merit he had recommended himself to the notice of Pope Gregory XVI., but it was not until the reign of his present Holiness, Pope Pius IX., that he attained to the lofty position which he occupied, and adorned by his virtues for so many years. He was raised to the Cardinalship under the title of St. Agatha, in June- 1847, and. besides bearing the honors of the scarlet, he filled the high positions of Secretary of State, President of the Council of Ministers, Prefect of the Sacred Apostolical Palaces, of the Sacred Congregaof the approaching dissolution of the great Cardinal is said to have been a partial failure on his part, during a late Papal visit to his sick chamber, to recognise the august presence that had ever until then excited his reverence and admiration. Although surrounded by the atmosphere of a Court, the life of his Eminence was simple in the extreme. At five o'clock in the morning he arose from his bed, and we find that, notwithstanding his rigor to himself, he was so compassionate on his dependents that rather than disturb the members of his household at so early an hour, he himself served the Mass which his chaplain then celebrated — for Cardinal Antonelli, as no doubt, most of our readers are aware, was nob a priest. At six o'clock he was ready to commence the labors of the day, which he did by taking his place at his desk, where he remained until the time came for him to wait upon the Pope ; and when Ms Holiness' directions had been received and his wishes attended to, the Cardinal Secretary was open to the needs of all comers for the hours ensuing. The personal appearance of his Eminence is said to have been striking ; he was of commanding height, and remarkable for a bright and piercing eye. His manner was peculiarly charming, and had he so willed it, few men of any station were more qualified to shine in society, but he was not ambitious of such distinction ; he preferred retirement, and was rarely seen in public, except when duty demanded his presence there. The method of his life was clearly indicative of self-immolation to a great cause, and that cause was the Church of Ch»ist. " Woe to us," he once said, "if we allow either passion or self-interest to affect the affairs of the Holy See." It appears to us a most pregnant fact that there is no form of genius known amongst men of which we do not find remarkable examples devoted to the service of Holy Church. Now it is an orator who, disregarding the attractions offered by the sure acquisition of forensic honors, dons the habit of a monk, and esteems himself rewarded by preaching in comparative obscurity tne doctrines of Christianity ; such was Lacordaire. Now it is a great thinker, one whose intellect has power to pierce the hidden depths marvellously, and who is possessed moreover of wondrous means of expression, so that his every word fascinates and subdues, and he likewise goes and lays down all at the feet of the Successor of the Fisherman ; such is Newman. Again it is a man formed to control kingdoms, a diplomatist whom nature has fitted with every gift necessary to the guidance of Courts, and he binds himself to the helm of that State, which of all others is least munificent in his day of earthly honors; such was AntoneliLi. Were we writing of an ordinary monarch and his minister, we should feel inclined to ask who would replace to his royal master the loss of so well-beloved and faithful a servant, but we recollect that here the Vicar of Christ is concerned, and that such an inquiry would consequently almost bespeak irreverence, and a disposition to doubt that God will provide. Certainly all things are in His nands, but here we seem to see this more plainly, so that, if in addition to the other trials that press upon him, the Holy Father is to find himself bereft by death of all those who have grown old in his service, and become endeared to him by many ties, we shall remain assured that strength will be given to him to bear this as well as the rest with serenity, and still to continue to the end the steadfast leader of his flock, and their strong defender. Considering what the temper of the times has been, it followed, as a natural consequence of his intrepid faithfulness and unflinching honesty, that Cardinal Antonelli was throughout the course of his eminent career an object of hatred and dread to many. The Secret Societies detested him in proportion as they recognised his fidelity to the Catholic Church, and hip great abilities. Their fury was excited by the one, and their fears by the other, so that, with the fate of Count Eossi before their eyes, the friends of the Minister felt many times anxious because of the dangers that surrounded Mm ; but from which the Hand he trusted to shielded him well, and at length withdrew him untouched when the appointed hour had come. No less detested was he, according to their calibre, by the various Protestant sects; calumnies were disseminated respecting him without the least scruple, or the slightest regard to truth ; and, he who writes this brief and imperfect sketch, were it now the time to introduce such matters, could of his own personal knowledge detail a few anecdotes on the subject in question, that could not fail to amuse, although they might at the same time in some measure cause disgust. But the affection and veneration in which lie was held by the Catholic community in all parts of the world might well have atoned to the venerable Cardinal for the contemptible proceedings of those who were his enemies because he was pious, honorable, and able. We know of no name amongst men on earth, excepting that which is highest of all, that was more widely esteemed than was his ; and we know of no death — excepting again that of the Holy Father himself, whom may God still preserve to us ! — that would be more deeply and deservedly regretted than is the death of his Eminence James Cardinal Antonblli. — K.I.P.