CATHOLIC NEWS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 10, 6 July 1894, Page 27

CATHOLIC NEW S.

(From the Liverpool Catholic Times.")

The Russian Government persists in its intolerant policy of interdicting the Pope's Polish Encyclical, No publication of it is allowed, much to the discontent of the Press. It is ouly by socrat and indirect methods that tLe Latiu text of tne Pontifical document is communicated to those to whom it is addressed.

Iv the Apiil number of the Contemporary an article appeared under the beading, " The Papal Encyclical and the Study of the Bible." The Rev J. D. Breen, 0.8.8. wrote to the editor asking to be allowed to reply to this article. Toe answer was a refusal. The public will be able to form their own opinion upon the fairness of sujh a proceeding.

The works of construction in connection with the great Basilic* of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, Parip, are being pushed oo with great activity. 80 far the building has cost 26,682,981 francs, the subscriptions amounting to 27,094 437 francs. Amongst recent offerings was an anonymous gift of 40,000 francs. To complete tha magnificent structure, 10,000,000 francs are still needed.

The coining Encyclical of Leo XIII may, Bays the Daily Chronicle's Roman corresponded, ba taken as in some measure his political t:stament. Its interest will extend far beyond the bounds of the Catholic Chnrch. In it the Pope will review the chief events of his Pon'iticate, This remarkable document, as a matter of detail, will also be a triumph of the Latioi'y of Joachim Ptcci, but will, of course, be simultaneously translated into all languages.

It was a happy inspiration which influenced the Bey Philip Fletcher to organise a pilgrimage of Ransomers to Ireland. No country in the world contains so many hallowed spots associated with toe conversion, or perhaps we Bhould say ransom, of Europe, America, and Australia from paganism to Christianity. There ia a wealth of monastic and missionary shrines and reliquaries north, south, east, and west. Go where one may, travel into what village one will, some monastic ruin, some crumbling churchyard, some holy well bears testimony to the scholarship, the sanctity, of Ireland* saints and sages.

An interesting performance of music, composed by Palestrina, took place on Thursday, April 26, at the Vatican, in celebration of the 300 th anuiversary of the great composer's death in Rome. The Pope, surrounded by his Court and many Cardinals, was present, aa well as the cn 1 ire Corps D p'omatique to the Va'ican, and other distinguished guess. The music was executed in the most exquisite manner, under the direction of the Onapelmaster, Bignor Mustafa, and several poetic contributions ia honour of Palestrina were recited by priests and mem^ars of the Apostolic schools.

When Emile Zjla went to Lourdes with the national pilgrimaga in 1892 his honesty of intention was not 6uspected. Patients, doctors, and the Lourdes missionaries laid open to him the treasures of their secrets, thinking that the Lourdes miracles would find in him at least a witness of good faith and unimpeachable integrity. The truth ie, the author of " Pot Bouille ' and of "Nana" stands revealed a subtle would-ba destroyer of belief in the supernatural manifestations at Lourdes. But in trying to rend the bjautif ul immaterial robe of the Lourdes Maionna, woven by thomanls of authenticated m'racles, M. Zjla has overshot his mark. That he was publicly hissed thj other evening is a proof.

On the occasion of the beatification of the English Martyrs the late Father Morrip, B.J. was at Stonyhurst. Hj rendered a great service to the college by arraa^ug all tha ruhes of those beatified, with which, of couise, ha was well acqiaioted, ia their present rehquariep, anl securing their being duly sealed and authenticated. He was the first to siy the Masa of tho Martyrs, as a semi-iouble occurred the day after the good newa came to hand ; and it was through him that the solemn celebration was kept so quietly in the college. Ha slept with Father Campion's cjrd round his neck the night before it was sealed up ; and the first Mass of the Martyrs was celebrated by him on the corporal, which bal baen used by five of them when voder sentence of death in tha Tower.

The beatifica'ioo of the Venerable Diego, of Cad z, which took place on Sunday, April 29, was a repetitioa of the ceremony on the previous Sunday. Tne second contingent of the t^panisn pilgrims was piesent, being even mora earnest aad enthusiastic, if possible, than the first. Many a touching scene took place in the crowded Basilica. At one time, for instance, could bj seen a group of women weeping because they could not succeed in gaining a glimpse of the Holy Father. Then when they did succeed, they wept again for joy. On the whole the Spanish pilgrim ige was a brilliant success, and the Italians now acknowledga that it is to their interest tj welcome the Pope's visitors wiih every coartesy.

The Vocc Delia Vcrita was prosecuted by the minions of Italian law a few days ago for certain byegone articles, and has bean acquitted. The strange part of this circumstance is that the sentence acquitting the Catholic journal was pronounced by a Freemason, who defended the publication in, as he said, the interests of truih and justice. Tha words of the solicitor to the eUdct that he believed

liberty does no damage to the State, but precisely constitutes its strength, and that it was in the interests of liberty he defended the cause of the Voce Bella Verita, have gained the admiration of all. This decision will perhaps have the good result of causing the King's Procurator to reflect twice before he sequestrates unoffending numbers of the Catholic publications in Rome, A niche in the facade of tte city Hall of Tonrcoing, near Rourbaix, contained a statue of St Vincent de Paul, which greatly offended the fastidious tastes of certain anti-clerical and Socialist councillors of that prosperous town. Orders were therefore given to have the obnoxious object removed, and scaffolding was promptly erected for the purpose. But tha Catholic citizens got wind of it, and at ooce they were up in arms, much to their credit. A hasty petition was set on foot, and in a very short while more than seven thousand signatures were appended ; in fact the opposition was so marked that the Socialist " cave " had to give in, and the scaffolding was removed, leaving the Apostle of the Poor with the honour of the situation. May it be ever thus. A little backbone on the part of Catholics and half the petty persecutions in France would disappear.

The Sovereign Pontiff celebrated Mass again in St Peter's on Tuesday, May 1, for over twelve thousand Spanish pilgrims who came by the sea route as far as Civita Vecchia, whence they took trains to Rome. The Pope entered the Basilica on tha Sedia Gestatoria, and the full ceremonial observed for the first groups of Spanish pilgrims was repeated. The Mass of thanksgiving (which as usual followed that celebrated by the Holy Father) terminated, the heads of the pilgrimage were presented to Leo XIII. by Cardinal Sanzey Fores, who again read an address in their name at the foot of the Pontifical Throne. Mgr Mery del Val then read a reply in the name of the Pope, and, in conclusion, assnred all present that the scenes of violence which took place at Valencia were sincerely deplored by the Holy Father. The daughters of Don Carlos of Bourbon, Princesses Beatrice and Elvira, who had implored permission to be allowed to come to Rome for a few hours in orderjto pay their respects to the Head of the Church, were present at the ceremony in one of the tribunes. They passed the time they remained in the Eternal City in a convent, and their strict privacy was respected by all. Their interview with the Holy Father was, I am informed, most touching.

M. Jaures in his interpellation in the Chamber on Monday, April 30, accused Catholics in general and the Oomte de Man in particular of being Socialists in disguise; of stealing the arguments of the Socialists, and of taking advantage of the Anarchists' bombs in favour of the Republican Right. This is perhaps the thousandth time the Comte de Mun is accused of being a Socialist. He defends himself in language dignified and to tha point, and his derence is clearly an advertisement for the Catholic cause. The other day in reply to M. Janres he said : "As there is no such a thing as Catholic Socialism, and as there can be no bond between Catholics and Socialists, cease to call me a Socialist." Before thip, however, M. Jaurta had made •o all-round attack. "Since," ha said, "the Church has felt the democratic movement at work upheaving society it has eadeavoured to penetrate into anarchist centres." " No," said one interrupting, " It is Anarchy that has tried to penetrate into the churches, the bomb at the Madeleine for instance." Without noticing the ironical allusioD, the orator passed on to the Able Gamier coupling him with the Anarchist Maleto, and from him to the Pope. From Leo XIII. he came back to the Comte de Mun, denouncing him aa a revolutionary Socialist. A point at the c!o>e of this tumultuous sitting is worthy of notice. Comte de Mun asked the Government whether it neant to look in the direction of the Chnrch and of Christian doctrine for a remedy for the evils from which Bociety was suffering. M. Caeimir Perier's answer was conclusive. The President of the Council said : " The Government is the gnardian of State secularisation and it will never abdicate its mission. It intends to be guided by the principles of the Revolution and by those only." So much for the " new spirit."