ARREST OF CARDINAL MERCIER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2354, 9 January 1915, Page 7

ARREST OF CARDINAL MERCIER

PROFOUND SENSATION " POPE HAS INSTITUTED INQUIRIES ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ; London, January 7. Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of Malines, placed under arrest by theGermans, is described as a distinguished member of the Sacred Cellege, and a churchman of a broad-minded type—sagacious and moderate in his political opinions. ' The Amsterdam correspondent of "The Times" says the Germans searched the parishes throughout Belgium in an endeavour to destroy copies of Cardinal Mercier's Pastoral. Numbers of priests have been arrested. Monsignor de Wachter, Auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal Mercier, is staying at Southwark. He Baid the arrest would cause deep indignation throughout the world. The Germans had assured the Cardinal that he would be allowed tbe fullest freedom in his administration, of the affairs of the Church he had tried to rebuild on the ruins of Belgium. He had reopened the colleges and recalled the priests. But the task had been too great; the Cardinal's efforts had been thrown away, and his feelings in the terrible situation found vent in the Pastoral Letter which had caused his arrest. "The Times" says: "Cardinal Mercier's arrest will undoubtedly create a profound sensation in the Roman Catholic Church throughout the civilised world; the arrest of a Prince of the Church during the discharge of his • ecclesiastical functions in his own archdiocese can scarcely fail to give deep offence." POPE CANNOT ADHERE TO NEUTRALITY. Rome, January 7. The Vatican Is without official information of the arrest of Cardinal Mercier. It is believed that ,the communications were censored. Tho Pope has instituted inquiries. It is remarked that the Germans cannot adduce the same pretext as in the case of tbe bombardment of Reims Cathedral. . Vatican circles are of opinion that the Pope cannot adhere to neutrality unless Cardinal Mercier is released. BERLIN DENIES THE STORY OP THE ARREST. Amsterdam, January 7. A majority of the Antwerp clergy has been arrested. Advices from Berlin now deny the story of Cardinal Mercier's or tho clergy's arrests. PASTORAL LETTER STILL BEING READ IN MALINES. (Reo. January 8, 8.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, January 8. ' Cardinal Mercier's Pastoral is still being read from the pulpits at Malines, although it is prohibited elsewhere. Ton thousand copies have been circulated in tbe diocese. Cardinal Mercier, in his Pastoral Letter, stated t>hat the provinces occupied by the Germans were still unconquered, The Belgians owed their allegiance to King Albert only; but he appealed to tho citisons not to commit