THE HOLY SEE AND THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1913, Page 43

THE HOLY SEE AND THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

THE POPE'S REPLY TO THE CATHOLICS OF GENOA A truly fitting reply to the aggressiveness shown by the Italian Government in refusing the royal exequatur to the Archbishop of Genoa is the presence in Rome of a delegation of priests and laymen from that city to request the Holy Father to permit Archbishop Caron to enter his See, notwithstanding the action of the civil authorities (says a Rome correspondent writing on February 23). How indignant the clergy of Genoa feel over the action of the Government may be inferred from the protest sent to the Premier of Italy, the Hon. Giovanni Giolitti, by the Metropolitan Chapter of that city. ' Faithful subjects of the civil authorty,' it says, ' but still more devoted sons of the Church, we, the Canons of the Cathedral of Genoa raise our voice to protest against the action of the royal Government in denying the exequatur to Mgr. Andrea Caron, our Archbishop. We protest against an act that ignores the divine institution of the Church, her purpose and her rights which were given to her by her Divine, Founder, our Lord Jesus Christ, independently of. every earthly power. We protest against an act that assumes for the Government the right of an undue interference in the election of the sacred pastors. We protest against an act that aims at violating the discipline of the Church and at impeding full union with her Supreme Head, the Roman Pontiff. We protest on account of the offence offered to Mgr. Caron, to whom, on flimsy and groundless pretexts, the royal exequatur is denied, whilst actions which are a duty for every Catholic Bishop, are ascribed to him as blameworthy. We protest on account of the grave loss which our archdiocese suffers in being deprived of her pastor. May God grant that the royal Government will recognise how unjust and harmful is the act in the performance of which it is insisting, and will not further oppose the will of the See of Peter, to which the world owes its civilisation and which is the chief glory of our Italy, and the principal guarantee of the security and prosperity of every nation.' Papal Reception of Genoese Deputation. For many years no audience given by the Pope has excited such keen interest all over Italy as that accorded at noon on February 22 to the deputation sent by the city of Genoa to present to the Holy Father an expression of its homage and affection, and to ask his Holiness to permit Archbishop Caron to take possession of his See regardless of the action of the Government in denying the royal exequatur. The deputation, which was representative of all classes and consisted of two hundred and fifty persons, among whom were seventy priests and twenty of the heads of the leading aristocratic families of Genoa, all eager and generous with-their offerings of hospitality for Archbishop Caron. The Marchioness Doria-Pallavicini intimated her wish to place at the disposal of his Grace her magnificent Vilia di Vegli, one of the most beautiful in Italy; two aristocratic families said they would undertake to supply for the support of the Archiepiscopal household during the Archbishop's life an amount equal to that which the Government withholds, while other noble families and Catholic associations said they would supply the funds necessary for the exercise of the ministry. Probably the Masonic Government of Italy never dreamt its action would raise such a storm of indignation; At noon, the Holy Father, preceded by a number of the Noble Guards and accompanied by Archbishop Ranuzzi, Mgr. De Amicis, Vicar-Capitular of Genoa, and several private Chamberlains, entered the Consistorial Hall, where a burst of applause greeted his Holiness. When the Holy Father had ascended the throne, Mgr. De Amicis read in the name of the people of Genoa of all classes an enthusiastic address, which was followed by the reading of another from Commendatore Pietro Massucco, President of the Dio-

cesari Society, to both of which the Holy Father replied in. a long and earnest speech. THE HOLY FATHER'S REPLY. His Holiness said:—Your visit at this season, beloved sons, at the cost of inconvenience and sacrifice, is a real comfort to Us, since by it you manifest the lively sympathy you feel for Us in Our sorrow at the grave tribulation to which the Catholic Church, with the archdiocese of Genoa, is subjected. Your presence, indeed, assures Us you are persuaded that We suffer more than you do on account of the prolonged widowhood of the Church of Genoa, for the loss of the good that is prevented, and for the evil that may come from the absence of the Pastor who would guard the flock. That sorrow is greatly increased by the fact that we do not know where to find a remedy, being unaware of the motives for which the entry of the Archbishop, preconised by Us more than ten months ago, has been hindered, since everything that the press published is in praise of the prelate who, had he borne himself otherwise, would have been unworthy of his office. In a bitterness of spirit that is continually becoming more serious on account of the condition to which We are reduced, and which is getting more insupportable from day to day, We have tolerated in silence the fact that, while no law imposes such a. procedure, the free entry, and consequently the government of dioceses, is arbitarily denied to newly-elected Bishops for many months. We have tolerated the exaction of a request from the newly-elected to be admitted to the possession of benefices, but never for the exercise of the ministry, a right which is obtained from the sole power that can give it. We have patiently tolerated the shameful attacks of the press, the calumnious imputations in public assemblies of enemies of the country, with the tacit approbation and sometimes with the applause of those present, whilst not one of those, who ought to have done so, has risen in defence. But We could never have thought that even once in the ten years of Our Pontificate it would come to the point of threatening the refusal of the temporalities to a Bishop who in his long career had been recognised as a model in everything, had been beloved by all, and had been lauded by the very authorities who had official relations with him. Still We accept even this new trial which the Lord permits, not, however, without feeling the grave insult which has been offered to the Head of the Church in his divine office, and not without protesting against the violation of that liberty and independence to which his title has been received, not from men, but from God Himself. You, then well understand how much comfort We get from your presence, and from the manifestations of filial affection and unalterable devotion which, through you, all the Catholics of Genoa show Us. We thank you also for the assurances you give Us. We never doubted that you were not only inclined, but glad, to welcome the Archbishop among you at once, and to provide generously all that is necessary for his person, his dignity, and his office. We regret, however, to be unable at present to grant your request, because We would be regarded as the originator of disorders (which your and Our enemies would studiously promote) and also as the provoker of fresh insults that would be levelled at the Church. As the echoes of certain speeches delivered with contemptuous acrimony still offend Us, it is impossible for Us not to convey the painful impression caused by the applause with which they were received, an impression which has greatly increased Our affliction. Yet this anguish does not deprive Us of courage and hope, for in every matter We have God to protect Us, and prayer for Our great comfort. Prayer is the chief duty of a Christian at all times, but especially when the times are difficult and stormy. For perplexed situations Sacred Scripture has a counsel which is found in the words of the holy king Josaphat: When we do not know what we ought do, nothing remains for us but to raise our eyes to God, from Whom alone we can obtain light, inspiration, and help' (II Paral. xx., 12). Oh, no one can know or understand the value of the prayers, the invocations, and the sighs of fervent priests, of humble Levites, of

consecrated virgins, and of the pious laity. Therefore, let the children who are prevented from receiving Confirmation pray, the ‘ aspirants to the priesthood who, on the termination of their studies, cannot be promoted to Holy Orders, the priests who, in their greatest needs, must .remain witiiout a guide, a master, a councillor, and finally all the sons of the archdiocese, who await their father to direct, instruct, and comfort them by word and example. ' Let us pray with the persevering confidence, taught us in the Book of Tobias, that no matter what the power God gives to man, it can never prevail over His decrees and designs. And we may all feel sure that if God tests us by trial, tribulation, and chastisement, He does so to lead us to mercy, freedom, and reward, to enable us to enjoy the calm that follows the storm, to give us joy after sorrow, gladness after (Tobias iii., 20, 21, 22), This is the recommendai ■> .'hi have to make to you, dearly beloved children, aim which you will convey to your fellow-citizens and the faithful of the diocese, to whom, as to you, I earnestly impart the Apostolic Benediction.