THE DUKE OF NORFOLK AT THE VATICAN.
(TO TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SI:R;It is somewhat disconcerting to find the Spectator joining in the hue-and-cry against the Duke of Norfolk on the ground that his strictures on the system.of proselytism pursued by certain Protestant societies in Rome are an attack on religious liberty. It is evident from the language used that neither the Pope nor the Duke had any such intention. The reference of the Duke is to the attempts of wealthy proselytising societies to corrupt the faith of the young and poor; the Pope regrets "that it is permitted to associations
for religious propagation to take advantage of the sad economic condition of the country to corrupt the faith of our children." There is nothing, therefore, in these words directed against non-Catholics in Rome freely practising their religion. They are merely an expression of just indignation against the em- ployment of methods of proselytism similar to what is known as " souperism " in Ireland ; methods condemned on all hands here by whomever practised, in far stronger language than that in question. The part of the Duke's address referring to the present highly undesirable position of the Holy Father is surely as inoffensive as it could well be. He was only echoing the sentiments of the whole Catholic world, lay as well as clerical, as any one must know who is at all in touch with Catholic opinion in every country, Italy itself not excluded. How and when it will be terminated is difficult to tell. But one thing is certain, that it is abnormal, and therefore temporary ; and the sooner, even in the interest of the Italian Kingdom itself, the Pope is placed in a position of freedom which will be satisfactory to himself and the Catholic world, the better for both parties ; and judging from certain articles occasionally appearing in the Italian Liberal papers, that view is held by not a few professed Literals in [We have dealt elsewhere—i.e., in our notes—with our correspondent's contention.—En. Spectator.]
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