ITALY AND THE VATICAN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1929, Page 8

ITALY AND THE VATICAN

MUSSOLINI’S DECLARATIONS,

RATIFICATION OF THE LATERAL TREATY.

The Late ran Treaty, which settler the relations between the Italian Government and the Vatican and heals th long breach between them, was passeby the eSnate when the Bill ratifying the Treaty, which had already passed the Chamber of Deputies, was carried by 315 votes to 6. Great interest was taken in this event.

Signor Mussolini, who was listened t by a crowded House and galleries, said it was necessary to disperse the to sentimental atmosphere created by th treaty, which, if allowed to continue, would undoubtedly alter its true character. It was very desirable to define precisely, since the matter had become a reality in the political arena, the respective sovereignties of the State an-' the Church. There was the Kingdom of Italy on the one hand the kingdom of the Vatican City on the other. The kingdom of Italy was politically as remote from the Vatican City as Paris, Madrid, and Warsaw. Above all, i : was necessary to eradicate the idea created that the treaty would Vatican ise Italy, or vice versa that the Vatican would be Italianised.' Nothing of the kind would happen, emphatically declared II Ducel

Alluding to his previous remarks on the origin of Christianity, Signor Mussolini said he never intended to deny 'the working out of a divine design in all that had happened, but on the contrary he affirmed it. He must, however, also affirm that the natural development of events had pointed to 'Rome and not to Alexandria or Jerusalem as the head off the Church. He recalled the early days of Christianity, and quoted from numerous writers on Catholic doctrine passages supporting »his statement, which was a matter of pure history and not of religion, that Christianity found in Rome the most favourable place for its development.

FASCISTS AND EDUCATION. Signor Mussolini then turned to the question,of education. Were the Fascists about to monopolise jealously the teaching of the children of Italy ? Those who feared that should remember that it was under the Fascist regime that the first Catholic University in Italy .vas opened and recognised. There was, however, one aspect of the teaching oil the children on which they were uncompromising. One must 'have regard to the realities of life. Those who maintained that the teaching of the children was a matter .solely for tlm family were saying something wholly, inconsistent with the realities of modern ife. The modern family, engaged unceasingly in the struggle for its daily bread, could not teach everyone. Only the State with its facilities oif every description could undertake the task. Signor Mussolini added that the State alone could give the requisite religious instruction, supplementing it with the whole of the other disciplinary measures.

Mussolini denied that there was any anti-clericalism among Fascists worthy of the name, because the I‘eligious policy of Fascism had always' been unanimous and straight-forward, and the Grand Council, in which all opinions could be freely expressed, had-spon-taneously adopted his (Signor Mussolini’s) report on the Lateran Agi-eement. Signor Mussolini did not consider that there would be a conflict between philosophy and religion in the schools. He recalled that the Catholic University at Milan had permitted the study of the writings of Kant and had recognised that his greatness was compatible with the Christian sentiment. The Prime Minister considered that it would be possible to reconcile the noncompulsory teaching of religion with philosophy. Signor Mussolini then recalled the long series of concordats concluded by the Holy See, and added that at the present time a Concordat was being drawn up with Prussia. It would not be surprising, he said, to see something of a similar nature concluded in the (future with France, who had broken off relations with the Vatican in 1904 and resumed them in 1921. The great festivals in celebration of Joan of Are in France had demonstrated a change in the atmosphere even in that country. Italy had not waited for the conclusion of the Lateran agreements to shape her religious policy, for it was drawn up in 1922 and even in 1921. Let theih read his speech in the Chamber on that date. This policy was always based on right,, never gave way when the question of the dignity, prestige, and moral autonomy of the State was at issue.

To those who asked whether the peace would endure, Signor Mussolini replied that it would, for it was the result otf long, difficult, and delicate negotiations, and each article of the agreement represented a necessary compromise between the claims of the State and the claims of the Church. Jt would last because it was drawn up on comprehensive aiid wise lines, and it had deeply touched the hearts of > Italian people. A THORN IN THE SIDE. Differences might still require to be surmounted in regard to the carrying out of the Concordat, but they could he successfully overcome, for the Holy See knew that the Fascist regime Was

frank and loyal and had 1 offered the Church its open hand hut not its arm, for nobody could demand that and nobody could have it. (Cheers.) Signor Mussolini referred to the establishment of Rome as the capital df Italy in 1870 and said that there were some Rowers who had openly declared that they .were pleased that the Vatican existed as a' thorn in the side of Italy. They had now removed this thorn (at this point there was an enthusiastic demonstration, all the Senators rising and cheering). Rome belonged of right and in fact to the King, Italy, arid the Italian nation. That was the greatest significance of the event, and no arguments, no dialectical display; and still less no calumny, Could diminish its value to the Italian people and before history. The Premier received a great ovation on concluding his speech, all the Senators and members of the Government rising in their places and cheering wildly. The royal princes, the Duke of Pistoia and the Duke of Pouiile, voted for the Bill.

The resolution to give effect to the treaty and the annexes and the concordat was carried by 238 votes to 10 while a resolution for the carrying out olf the provisions dealing with ecclesiastical institutions was passed by 28 votes to 10.