ROME LETTER

New Zealand Tablet, 18 February 1915, Page 49

ROME LETTER

From our own correspondent.)

December 15.

‘ THE UCE OF GOD.’

During the festal days, when the whole world is at- war, it is interesting to look back upon the year of our Saviour’s Birth, when the whole* world was at peace. In S. Maria in Trastevere, the titular church of his Eminence Cardinal Gibbons, there is a spot in front of the sanctuary which is marked ‘ Fans Old ’ (the oil spring), where just three years before the Birth of Jesus Christ an oil spring suddenly burst forth and flowed off into the Tiber, The entire world was then at peace, and the inmates of the military hospital, which stood upon the place, concluded that the wonder heralded the occurrence of some important event. Dion Cassius, the pagan writer, confirms the truth of the event; and St. Jerome and also Eusebius .speak of it. The golden age of Augustus had reached the zenith of its glory; the temple of Janus was closed, and the vast Roman Empire lay perfectly at rest. But a half score years prior to this strange occurrence, the Roman Senate erected what is known to the world as—‘ Ara Pads’ (die altar of peace), for Augustus had returned from the war in Germany and Gaul, and in 13 8.C., the event was commemorated. The site of this altar,

the most exquisite production of the golden age,’ is today recognisable a stone’s throw from the Chamber of Deputies. Yes, indeed, the then known world . was at peace, and a new epoch was being opened by the Birth of the Son of God. But the Christinas of 1914 is being passed amid the clangor of war : for the truce of God, proposed by the Vicar of the Prince of Peace, cannot be observed.

A CONCESSION

But wo must feel thankful for even small mercies, one of these being the concession given by three countries in favor of correspondence addressed to the Holy See. In Canada, the Apostolic Delegate will act as a centre for letters sent by the Bishops to Rome; in England, Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster, is to act likewise; while Austro-Hungary guarantees immunity to correspondence to the Papal Secretary of State. Later on, all the belligerent Powers, except, perhaps, Russia, will fall into line undoubtedly : for all recognise the inconvenience of exposing spiritual matters, that are frequently of a delicate nature, to the eyes of lay , censors. Another reason is they all wish to do the right thing by the Holy Father.'

ITALY AND THE WAR

And this reminds one of Italy’s attitude in this war. She is neutral, but her Ministers arc constantly telling the rest of Europe how determined she is to make herself respected, to guard her interests. Her newspapers love to keep repeating the phrase used by some military journalist to the effect that Italy at present is to be ‘ courted and respected,’ just as if anyone were threatening her in any way. Does. the Italian Government fancy the Roman question may be settled finally at the grand council of -nations, which will arrange the map of Europe after the war ? it is not unlikely this is the burden of the Ministerial suspicions, and it would not be surprising if they came true. Those who help to guide Italy’s destinies would wish nothing better than the continuation of the present relations between the Quirinal and the Vatican, and that the Pope should live as prisoner of the Apostolic Palace unless lie decides to accept their terms. ‘ Let us all stay as we are. Things could not be more favorable for us,’ said an Italian Monarchist when summing up a discussion on the point with the writer a few years ago. But this precisely is what the Catholics of the world cannot do. This very week furnishes an instance of the abnormal circumstances under which the Vicar of Christ lives in Rome. . Who . has not heard of the Asino, edited by an atheist, in the Eternal City itself— the city which is r promised in the Law of Guarantees as the

‘ tranquil, and honored place of residence of the ‘ Sovereign Pontiff V Its editor has offended "the Emperor of Germany in his vile writings this week, and straightaway the law pounces upon him, and justly so. , The wretched creature met with similar treatment for having insulted King Victor Emmanuel. -But there is one whom he feels at perfect liberty to insult week after week in the vilest manner for the past dozen years. All attempts made by Catholics in Italy to have the editor brought to justice, and L’Asino suppressed have failed utterly. So there is one law for the Pope and another for the King ! In comparison with trials like this, the consolations of the Holy Father are great. Among instances of the latter - must be mentioned the letter of congratulation sent to him by the Bishops of Ireland on his accession to the Throne of Peter. It is not unlikely that the Irish Parliamentary Party will avail of some occasion before long to demonstrate its respect for Benedict XV. In this connection it is of interest to recall that, on the occasion of the jubilee of Pope Leo XIII., the Irish Party presented their address in a silver facsimile of

the ancient bronze shrine, known as ‘ the Lough Erne Shrine.’ His Holiness afterwards presented the shrine to the Very Rev. Dr. O’Haran, Sydney, a native of the district to which the original belonged. O O

NOTES.

After all is considered, people in Rome have to admit that, though the war has left the Eternal City silent, it has brought the purchase of all provisions within the reach of the poor man. At present no article of food can be deemed a luxury, inasmuch as it has been cheapened so as to be within, the reach of all purses. Another consequence of the war is the hours of fatigue spared to Benedict XV. in giving audiences. And not until the European struggle has terminated will his Holiness find himself constrained to give up some four hours each day to the reception of men and women of all spheres in life from all over the world.

A particularly pleasing audience to the Holy Father was that given last week to the Very Rev. Father Villettc, Superior General of the Vincentian Fathers, of the Daughters of Charity, and Director General of the Ladies of Charity, who presented to Pope Benedict representatives of these three great families of St. Vincent de Paul. I We see, with deep satisfaction,’ said the Pope, ‘ the entire family of St. Vincent represented here. . . . Your Father (Father Villette) is going to leave you, but I always remain among you as your guide and protector.’