ROME.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 114, 4 October 1873, Page 3

ROME.

(FROM THE " NEW ZEALAND TABLET.') The Holy Father is now in his 83rd year, able to attend to his ordinary duties as Head of the Church. He has strong hopes that right and justice will overcome might and tyrranieal oppression. He has on his side that Italy was ever remarkable for justice, for regard for law and order, and for obedience to legitimate authority ; and he has only the bloodthirsty Revolutionists and CommuDist3 against him. These proclaim themselves the promoters of '' liberty, equality, fraternity," and piove their principles by the iniquitous spoliation and appropriation of the property of their fellow beings. They wish to live and reve! in their diabolical course of hatred and persecution of their inoffensive Christian neighbours. They are aided by a Government that frames wicked laws to authorise the plundering of the innocent, that these harpies—the scum of the nation's of Europe—may the more easily carry out their wicked projects. That, as their thirst, for blood cannot be satisfied, at least they may gratify their love of plunder. It may please the Mighty God to grant this grand old heroic Pope the happiness of seeing his beloved Italy freed from her present sad and fallen state ; of beholding the nations recognising their present injustice and cruelty to this noble Head of the Universal Church— that Church 200,000,000 people of every clime and race one in faith with Christ's Infallible Vicar. If injustice cease, and peace be granted to the faithful, it will bring joy to the heart of our dear Holy Father ; but if persecution continue, then its effects now, as ever heretofore, shall be to purify still more, and to prove the undaunted courage of her br-tvest children, aiid to wash away the filth and scum of society. As the heavy floods of Heaveu feed and nourish the vigorous healthy plants, but wash away the lifeless, useless refuse, so it shall be in fierce persecution. The brave shall still grow braver and more heroic, and the worthless shall quit the scene and be forgotten. It shall be now as in the time of Tertulliao, " »he blood of martyrs shall be the seed of Christianity." God give strength and courage to the noble Head of thi' Church heroically to bear his trials and sufferings as becomes the Yicar of a Crucified Master. He has the sympathy and devoted attachment of ths whole Catholic world.