Miraglia. By S. M. Rebotier. (Marshall Brothers. 6d.)— We have
no intention of pronouncing on the case presented in this pamphlet. The account of Bishop Miraglia's personality and work is interesting and, we may say, attractive, but it is, and cannot but be, one side only of the case. What we do say is that the matter is one that demands our attention, and, if M. Rebotier's narrative is substantially true, our sympathy and help. Miraglia was Professor of Philosophy at the Seminary of Patti in Sicily (on the north coast some twenty miles south-west of Messina), was ordained priest at the age of twenty-two (by special dispensation), attained considerable reputation as a preacher, and coming into collision with the ecclesiastical authorities, formed an independent congregation in 1895. He is, in short, an Italian reformer ("a modern Savonarola" is the description given in this pamphlet, and Miraglia himself seems to take the Florentine monk as his hero). There are two interest- ing questions that arise out of the matter. Firstly, there are the reformer's personal claims. Secondly, there is the general ques- tion as to what should be the attitude of loyal Anglicans in such a case. Given the case of a personally sincere, blameless, orthodox priest of the Roman Communion, who becomes dissatis- fied with his surroundings, with the practical abuses and doctrinal accretions which he sees about him,—what should we do ? Are we bound to recognise the propriety of a reformation in the churches of the Roman obedience ? Those Anglicans who regret our own Reformation, and are working to undo it, will say "No." What will the others say ? Is the reformer bound tostay where he is, to hold all Roman doctrine because he is an Italian, or a Spaniard, or a Portuguese ? For ourselves, we should most unhesitatingly say that the reformer in the Roman Church, whether he remains in it or is expelled, is worthy of our fullest sympathy and respect.
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