CHURCH OR STATE

Again the church and state are found in keen opposition. First in the Middle Ages one remembers King Henry, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, on his knees before the head of the Catholic church at Canossa beseeching him for peace. Then in Italy one pictures his holiness retiring into the Vatican forever before the victorious forces of the temporal lord. Now again in Italy again the head of the greatest Christian church is opposed by the state, this time in the person of the most powerful ruler that Italy ever had.

In this age one cannot picture Premier Mussolini on his kneos to his holiness the Pope of Rome, but this or something like it does not seem too improbable to at least conjure with. II Duce doubtless has things pretty well under control, but it is impossible to conceive of a man all-powerful in the state without a strong if subdued opposition. Perhaps all this party needs is the coordinating influence of the cause of their common religion. Before this time religion has overthrown kings, emperors, and dictators who seemed to be in a far more impregnable position than the present head of all Italy. James II lost his crown because of religious difficulties and modern England arose; Phillip of Spain lost the rich province of Holland due to his extreme religious views.

But there is another side to the question. This has its basis in the nature of the opposition party. This group gains many of its views from Russia where religion has been done away with as a worn out institution of autocracy. It seems rather doubtful that this party will not be influenced strongly by a fear of alliance with the powerful Roman Catholic church. On the fealty of this group to their church or to the red cause may rest the future of Mussolini.