Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

and approbation of His Majesty's Government, I am to desire that you will shew every possible attention to the communications you may receive from that Gentleman, upon this important subject, and that you will transmit to this office the result of your inquiries upon the different points submitted to your investigation by Sir John Cox Hippisley.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,

(Signed) BAThurst.

N.o II.

A.

Copy of a Dispatch from Robert Gordon, Esq. His Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at Vienna, to the Right honourable Lord Viscount Castlereagh, K. G. His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign

My Lord.

Affairs; dated

Vienna, March 28th 1816.

In reply to your Lordship's circular letter, which I have received through the hands of Sir John Cox Hippisley, accompanied by queries from that gentleman, respecting the degree of Papal influence in this country, I am anxious to detail the observations which I have been enabled to make upon the subject.

No Government has at all times shewn greater jealousy of the interference of the See of Rome in temporal matters than that of Austria, and none has in consequence fortified itself by stronger barriers against the inconveniences of such interference. The council of Trent forms the basis upon which the religious jurisdiction of the country is administered, and hence an indiscriminate

exercise of the Regium

Exequatur has been vested in the thus impeding all intercourse bet

hands of the Crown, ween the heads of the clergy and the Pope which has not been subjected to the inspection of the civil government.

1

Whilst the Emperor Joseph the IId confirmed his right to this authority, as well as to that of nominating all his bishops in the Austrian States, he succeeded in placing Lombardy under the same rules of religious jurisdiction by means of a separate Concordat. In the Venetian States however, and in Dalmatia, the appointment to religious offices has hitherto been vested with the Pope; and a new Concordat will probably now be established for the security of equal privileges to the sovereign throughout his dominions. The Republic of Venice had always an agreement, by which it named its own patriarch, and in virtue of this, the Emperor now assumes the same authority. Hungary is still further removed from the influence of the Roman Pontiff, in as much as the Diet has never subscrived to the articles dictaded by the Council of Trent, which, favourable as many of them were to the liberties of catholic princes and their subjects, throughout the German empire, insured nevertheless a degree o influence to the Court of Rome, which was consideret prejudicial to the proportionate independence of the government of their country.

Under these circumstances it is not necessary for me to state to your Lordship, that the Pope's Nuncio at Vienna is viewed in the same light the Ambassadors from other Foreign Courts, more especially since all intercourse and correspondence upon religious matters with the See of Rome is alone allowed to pass through the hands of the Austrian Minister accredited to that Court. The Emperor moreover, is himself the sole judge of what ought to be transmitted for the decision of the Father of the Church; and it has frequently occurred that H. J. M. has not admitted of reference being made to him, where

the fear of incurring responsibility would have induced one of his bishops to withhold a dispensation in serious

matters.

It should be remarked however, that this unterstanding with the Pope has not been allowed to form a basis for his degree of influence in every other country, since he pretends that his influence is proportioned to the power of the country in which it may exerted. As much good equally with much harm can arise tho the cause of religion, from the good will or opposition of a powerful nation, he finds it advisable to be more liberal, in order to ensure a more decided support to the Roman Catholic

tenets.

In Bavaria, for instance, he still claims his right to the nomination of the bishops; and a dispute upon this subject is yet raging with the government of that Kingdom.

During the Pope's absence from Rome, and in his captivity, the mode adopted for the nominating to the bishopricks in this country, was simply by forming a chapter of canons in each diocese, which proceeded to the election of its new bishop whenever a vacancy might chance to occur.

In order that your Lordship may form a more correct notion of the state of Ecclesiastical administration in this country, I have the honour to transmit the « Enchiridion Juris Ecclesiastici Austriaci, » which embraces every point on which Sir John Cox Hippisley required information; also a copy of a letter addressed by Prince Kaunitz in 1782, tho the then Nuncio at Vienna, which gives satisfactory evidence of the independence of the Austrian government. Sir John Cox Hippisley having expressed a desire to be possessed of the Edict for the Suppression of the Jesuits, by Clement XIV. I have the honour to enclose it at the same time with this dispatch; ad to be etc. (Signed) R. GORDON.

The Visc Castlereagh, K. C.

etc. etc. etc.

B.

Extract of a Letter from Robert Gordon, Esq. His Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at Vienna, to Sir John Cox Hippisley, Bart. M. P.; dated

Sir,

Vienna, March 28th 1816.

I Take the liberty of referring you to my dispatch of this day to Lord Castlereagh, marked (Separate) respecting the information which I have been able to collect touching the inquiries. I had the honour to receive from you some time ago; with it I have transmitted a copy of Prince Kaunitz's letter, and the edict of Clement XIV, for the suppression of the Jesuits. I regret that I have not been able to procure the edicts of Joseph II, in a shape that admits of their being forwarded to you by this opportunity; they are no longer to be found separate; and the only copies I have seen are in the German language, and bound up in folio with other state papers.

The Enchiridion Juris Ecclesiastici Austriaci» which I have transmitted for your use, explains in the minutest details the religious law and freedom of its exercise in this country, as unconnected with the interference of the Court of Rome; and I flatter myself that you will draw from it every information that can possibly be necessary to your object, as far as Austria is concerned.

The Kingdom in the North of Italy, which has been annexed to the Emperor's dominion, is speedily to be brought under the same administration of ecclesiastical law; and the Pope's authority has already been rejected in 'the late changes which have been made touching these matters, in the Milanese.

The present Emperor follows literally the spirit which Joseph II. displayed in securing his government from Papal influence, and he lately was upon the point of promulgating an edict to

forbid the establishment of Jesuits throughout his dominions, but has been withheld by a wish not to offend the Court of Rome, when his object might be otherwise attained. He is contented therefore to remain silent, as long as none offer to settle themselves in his country, and is resol ved to refuse permission to each individual who may hereafter express such a wish.

I shall be happy to continue my endeavours to procure any information you may further require in pursuance of your objects; and have the honour to be,

[blocks in formation]

A Memorial on Tuscan Legislation in Ecclesiastical Matters, delivered to Lord Burghersh by order of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Tuscany. (Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 11th July 1815.)

MEMORIA GIURISDIZIONALE.

Fino da' tempi della Republica Florentina il Governo fù sempre vigilantissimo, chè non restassero mai lesi i diritti sovrani da veruna Autorità, e specialmente dalla Corte di Roma, non permettendo, chè alcun atto di Potenza straniera potesse eseguirsi in Toscana senza la licenza dei Signori; chè non si prendesse possesso di alcun Beneficio senza la stessa licenza; e tenendo ferma la massima, chè la nomina ai Vescovadi cadesse nella persona prescelta dal Governo.

« AnteriorContinuar »