The Eucharistic Congress was opened on Wednesday by a solemn
service in Westminster Cathedral. Cardinal Vincenzo Vannntelli, the Papal Legate, was met at the great door by the Archbishop of Westminster, and was conducted to the' high altar in a procession of all the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots. Cardinal Vannutelli, after the reading of the letters appointing him Legate, delivered an address in Latin. He spoke of the great regard of the Pope for the British people, and of his satisfaction at the holding of the Congress in London. Archbishop Bourne then spoke in English, welcoming the Legate. It is proposed to hold a Procession of the Host on Sunday in the streets near the Cathedral, and permission has been given by the police. The Protestant Alliance has, however, objected, pointing out that the procession is illegal under the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. We discuss the Eucharistic Congress else- where, and will only say here that we should deeply regret it if any discourtesy were shown to the visitors. The law on the subject of the procession is clear, but the true strength of the Protestant position lies in toleration. To invoke an obsolescent statute would be, as it were, to question the stability of the Protestant religion.
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