ROME LETTER

New Zealand Tablet, 29 July 1915, Page 53

ROME LETTER

(From our own correspondent.) I ' May 26. •/, THE SUBURBAN DIOCESES OF ROME. f ; In the current number of the official bulletin of the Vatican, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, appears an Apostolic Constitution by which Benedict XV. partially abrogates the regulations made by the late Pontiff in 1910 relative to the six suburban dioceses of Rome. Presiding over these dioceses are the six Cardinals who constitute the order of Cardinal-Bishops, and who reside in Rome as Prefects of the Sacred Roman Congregations. , Their dioceses, which are of great antiquity, are those of Albano, Palestrina, Frasc'ati, Porto "and St. Rufino, Sabina, and Velletri, on the Alban and Sabine Hills. In the Constitution Pius X., seeing that the power to make a choice of diocese according as vacancies occurred in the order of Cardinal-Bishops caused no little confusion because of the frequent transfer of Ordinaries, wisely suppressed this faculty. And furthermore his Holiness established that each Cardinal-Bishop should have an auxiliary to reside in the diocese and conduct its affairs in his name. It was also ordered that the revenues of the six dioceses should be amalgamated and administered by the office' Spol.iorum,' in the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda. Two of these regulations Pope Benedict now revokes. By reason of the small territory which each diocese embraces and their proximity to Rome, the Holy Father abrogates the part requiring each Car-dinal-Bishop to have a suffragan. His Holiness also abrogates that which gives over to the Propaganda the administration of the funds of the dioceses. But his Holiness retains in force the portion which commands that no Cardinal-Bishop shall ever change the diocese which he has once begun to rule. The Cardinal-Dean will, in addition to his own diocese, rule also that of Ostia. The Pope requires also that an account of the administration be given early to the Propaganda. This Constitution of Benedict XV. bears the signatures of their Eminences Cardinal Gotti, Prefect of Propaganda, and Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of State. THE NEW GENERAL AND CURIA OF THE FRIARS MINOR. Not alone for his reputation as a famous Scriptural scholar, but because he is a man of wide experience of the world, has the Very Rev. Father Cimino, 0.F.M., been elected Minister-General of the Order of Friars Minor. Over eleven years were passed by him as professor of Biblical subjects in St. Antonio's, the great international college of the Franciscan Order in Rome. On leaving Rome in 1911, Father Cimino went to the United States, whence his superiors transferred him after two years to Jerusalem, where he has since filled the important position of Guardian of Mount Sion and of the Holy Sepulchre and Gustos of the Holy Land. As Custos of the Holy Land, Father Cimino was Visitator of the monasteries which the Franciscans have spread over Syria, India, Galilee, parts of Armenia, and Egypt, in most of which pilgrims from Europe are given ready hospitality. From personal experience this writer can testify how invaluable to the traveller are the Franciscan Fathers in those regions, most parts of which are not yet opened up. The members of the General "s Curia recently elected are: Procurator-General of the Order, Rev. Father B. Hlumper, Holland, a canonist of wide reputation. Definitors-General—English, Rev. Father B. Schmidt, late Minister of the Province of the Sacred Heart, U.S.A.: French, Rev. Father C. Dreyer ; German, Rev. Father P. Ratacheck ; Spanish, Rev. Father Rey Lemos; Italian, Rev. Father M. Marmcci ; Hungarian and Slav, Rev. Father V. Vosnjak. NO MORE PARTIES. The chief characteristic of the European war is the facility with which the various parties in each country subsided into obscurity the hour in which hostilities began. This is especially true of Italy. Italy has no longer a Catholic or a.Monarchial.Barty, a Republican

or a Socialist Party:, all are Italians for the nonce, determined to do battle for 'their country. There are in i the Italian army- at . present from 8000 to» 10,000 priests. Bisolatti, the Socialist deputy, though fifty years of age, has enlisted as a private soldier. The Commander-in-Chief, General Cadorna, two of whose daughters are nuns, is a fervent Catholic. Ever to the front where charity calls, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has determined to intensify its efforts to materially assist not only the poor it aided hitherto, but also the families who have their bread-winners at the war. Like every one of the warring nations, Italy has given a magnificent example of patriotism; and she has done more than the majority of them in the spiritual care of her soldiers. The military chaplains would number some hundreds, and 750 portable altars are on their way to the various camps. In Rome, Milan, and the other cities hundreds of ladies are busy preparing altar linen, vestments, etc., for the priests, and for several days past bishops have been consecrating sacred vessels,-altar-stones, etc., all destined for the clergy at the front. THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS TO THE VATICAN. The statement that the Italian Government ordered out of Rome the Austrian Ambassador and Prussian and Bavarian Ministers to the Vatican is quite untrue. Prince Schonburgh, Dr. Von. Mulhlburg, and Baron de Ritter left of their own accord, comprehending quite naturally how uncomfortable should be their position by staying on in Rome while their own nations are at war with Italy. The Italian Government left them free to remain or to leave, as it had no wish to open up at the critical hour a discussion with the Holy See on the Laws of Guarantees. The extreme courtesy shown by the Italian authorities towards the Ambassadors on their departure speaks highly for the people of this country. NOTES. Kindness and respect are shown by the Italian people to all foreigners in Italy. Hence we feel as safe as if we were at home. The Irish Augustinians will hold their Provincial Chapter in Ireland. Father Raleigh, 0.5. A., Rector of St. Patrick's Church, Rome, will leave shortly for Ireland for the purpose of attending it.