THE CATHOLIC REFORM MOVEMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] &a,—From the point of view of an Anglican Churchman, the reply to the tit-for-tat plea of "Anglicanus " and Mr. Liao is a simple one. Interference in other dioceses than his own is not contrary to the Pope's principles, especially when he denies their Bishops to be true Bishops. But interference in another prelate's jurisdiction is certainly contrary to the principles of an Anglican Bishop. The Papal propaganda over here is very exasperating. But Mr. Lias himself says,—" I do not see what else Romanists could consistently do." Only he complains that
any one should wish to debar ourselves "from expressing in our turn our sympathy with those who are maintaining our cause in Italy." Where is the parallel, unless our principles are the same as those of the Pope P Mr. Lias appeals to our "belief in our own principles," and to our national history. I should have said that the great ecclesiastical principle vindicated in England in Henry VIII.'s reign was the independence and equal rights of Diocesan Bishops. The Papal theory is that one Bishop is supreme over the rest. Our theory is that every Bishop should be secure from external interference. Now, no one denies that Leo XIII. is the lawful and rightful diocesan of Rome, the Church of England having always recognised the Catholic status of the Continental Bishops. A mere tit-for-tat argu- ment for interference in the Bishop of Rome's diocese, therefore, breaks down. Of course, this rejoinder is somewhat technical, and will not appeal to all ; and there may be reasons for helping Count Campello which will override it. But it ought to appeal
to Mr. Lias and " Anglicanus."—I am, Sir, &c., D. M.
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