THE POPE AND FRANCE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 17, 10 February 1893, Page 7

THE POPE AND FRANCE.

(Special Correspondence of the Pilot.) M. Anatolk Lkboy.P.eaulieu, the renowned French writer on the social question, says, in " Leon XIII. devant sex dmtemporaint" that Leo XIII. offered the French people two things equally precious, and of which they were equally devoid : social peace and religions peace. Leo XIII. has indicated, with the hand of a master, the conditions of Bocial peace ; biU, says Leroy-Beaulieu, " it depends neither on him, nor on onr governors, to give it to us ; it is a work of long effort, a work moral and material at the same time, to which the concurrence of all is necessary, and which neitker Pope nor Emperor, nor Parliament, nor any authority, can accomplish in a day, I Religious peace to be secured to us depends, on the other hand, on the Pope and on our governors. Leo XIII. has dons all that was in his power for this ; be has told us his conditions, and there is only one : liberty." Indefatigable and unwearied in presence of opposition from all fides, Leo XIII. pursues his ide«— -that of reconciling the Catholics of France to the existing Government of France, which is that of the Bepublic. In an interview with a French prelate of high position in the Vatican, who has just returned from Paris, I inquired how the Pope's policy with regard to France was making way amongst the Catholics of that country. The answer was that the people of Franc* were taking up and putting into practice the counsels of the Pop* with respect to the Government, and thtt in a short time few or none would hold back from taking part in the Government, and save it from pursuing a policy of persecution and folly. In France at tht present time, said this prelate, the moderate party is acquiring powsr and influence, and the extremist*, whether monarchical or radical, are being rendered harmless. The " Panama scandals," as they art termed, show the disposition of the people to have no crimes, whether political or financial, hushed up, and their determination to bring to light and, if necessary, to justice the governmental and radical specu. lators who with specious promises robbed the people. This return to uprightness and justice prepares them for accepting the counsels of Leo XIII. The difficulties which had arisen between the French Government and the Vatican regarding the selection of bishops to be appointed by the Holy Bee are now happily settled. The French Keeper of the Seals has announced to his colleagues that an understanding was almost established between himself and the Holy See regarding the prelates to be nominated to five of ths vacant arch* dioceses and dioceses, among them being those of the archdioceses of Oambrai and of Bourges. These nominations will soon be made public. The vacancy at Angers and other Sees will not be filled for the present. Two French Cardinals, at least, will be created in tht coming Consistory ; the third mentioned, Mgr. Perraud, Bishop of Autun, is not pleasing to tbe French Govornment, aod bis creation as Cardinal will probably be delayed. Mgr. Perraud has distinguished himself by his defence of tbe Irish people.