Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1905

THE subject of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the papacy and the United States is one that has for years been persistently kept before the American people. At every opportune occasion Rome brings the subject forward, and hints at the possibility of a papal nuncio at Washington, and an American ambassador at the Vatican, though always disclaiming any intention of overriding the American principle of the separation of church and state. The negotiations between the United States and the Vatican arising from the conquest of the Philippines, gave a great impetus to this project and hope of the papacy, and every use is being made of the intimacy which has resulted between these civil and spiritual powers, to foster the plan, and accustom, if not reconcile, the American people to the idea; Rome trusting that in time, with skilful diplomacy on her part, the opportunity will come to make a direct move for the setting up of diplomatic relations. Notice how, as shown in the following press telegram dated at Boston, August 19, Rome is endeavoring to move in this direction without showing hostility to established American principles, or arousing the suspicions of the people as to her real intentions (italics ours):—

A Rome special cable to-night says that Pope Pius X is planning to show his appreciation of the development of his church in the United States by appointing, if possible, a papal nuncio to Washington, raising the apostolic delegation

now there to a nunciature of the first class, like those of Vienna, Madrid, and Munich, with a titular invested with the rights and dignity of apostolic nuncio.

The question is complicated, however, and the matter is not entirely settled, for according to church traditions nuncios are never sent to foreign countries unless officially credited to the government, and unless the same government keeps an ambassador accorded to the Vatican.

Although not long ago the United States sent a special agent charged with the arrangement of church matters in the Philippines, it is admitted that it would be practically impossible for the United States to maintain an ambassador at the Vatican.

At the same time it is felt by the church officials that Washington already recognizes in the apostolic delegate there the supreme representative of the Vatican in America, and the question is likely to be solved by the creation of a regular nunciature at Washington, which will act in the name of the supreme head of the church in all matters affecting both church and the United States government, while not being a diplomatic embassy.

After the substance of the thing Rome is after is obtained, it will be a simple matter to change the name.