PIUS IX. AND THE CATHOLIC WORLD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 214, 1 June 1877, Page 3

PIUS IX. AND THE CATHOLIC WORLD.

Neveb, perhaps, in the entire Pontificate of Pius IX. has the earthly head of the Church spoken out more eloquently or more bravely than in his recent grand Allocution, which, though in form addressed to the cardinals, is intended for the whole Catholic world. Indeed, we would give that magnificent document a wider significance, and say that its glorious and sublime teachings are intended for the world at large ; for many not now children of the Church may be convinced by its powerful, its unanswerable reasoning, and may thereby be led, even as a matter of mere justice, to aid the truly noble cause of the suffering and persecuted Holy Father. In language dignified but most decisive, calm but of most unmistakable meanings, the Sovereign Pontiff surveys the present condition of the world, and fearlessly reasserts the principles which have always guided the successor of St. Peter. He denounces the treachery of the Government of Victor Emmanuel, the apostle of brute force, and tells Catholics that they must not harbour any thoughts of despair, but cherish the confident hope that the good cause will ultimately triumph. Pius IX., though a prisoner, knows no fear. Men may foolishly think that because he has been robbed by the brigand King of Sardinia, and ruthlessly plundered by him whom vile flatterers call the " gentleman monarch," the aged Pontiff is frightened. A glance down the glorious Allocution before us at once annihilates any such idea. Never in the palmiest days of Papal power, when emperors and kings bowed their heads obediently before the Vicar of Christ, has language issued from the Vatican more expressive of the majesty and the dignity of the greatest sovereign on earth. Some may scoff, but their miserable mockery will not deprive the words of Pope Pius IX. of that solemnity which will win for them the homage and the veneration of all who have the happiness to be his spiritual subjects. His heart is as undaunted, his soul as confident, and his courage as unbroken as on that memorable day, more than thirty years ago, on which his elevation to the Chair of St. Peter was hailed with enthusiastic acclamations — Universe.