CHURCH AND STATE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1929, Page 5

CHURCH AND STATE

LONG-STANDING QUARREL SETTLED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (llece'ved this day at 8.30. a.m.) LONDON, February 8. Tlie settlement of a long-standing quarrel between the Church and the State in Italy is featured by all the leading London papers. The “Morning Post” says it is natural Mussolini should desire an understanding with the Vatican. Any dictator who takes power by force must seek those sanctions and benedictions which go towards confirming doubtful title deeds. As long as the Roman Catholic Church remained unreconciled l'aseism was conscious of an existing power which might become a rival and even an enemy. That source of possible weakness is now at an end. Tho Pope’s gain is not .so much power as it is reconciliation with Rome. It- is stated Mussolini will attend the Mass to be held in St. Peter’s on the 12th February and it is confirmed thai. thereafter the Pope will appear on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, when he will bless the great crowd and detachments of Italian armed forces. SIGNING OF TREATY. ROME, February 8. The signing of the treaty between the State and the Papacy is fixed for the morning of the 11th February, instead of Sunday, as the Te Deum will be sung on Sunday to celebrate the anniversary of the Pope’s coronation. There will be two distinct treaties one of an international character, dealing with the Roman question, the other establishing concordat dealing with ecclesiastical and religious legislation . in Italy.