We have been following the progress of the conflict between the government and Eugene. We saw how he had been summoned to Rome in the middle of 1833 and perhaps you are finding some of the events confusing. Thus, Yvon Beaudoin takes up the story and recounts the main happenings starting with Eugene\u2019s arrival in Rome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Roman authorities gradually disclose to him the truth of the situation: the French Government wants no more of him in France. Behind the seemingly serene atmosphere that has prevailed at Marseilles for the space of a year, both Prefect and Mayor and civil and military authorities have been watching the Prelate\u2019s every move, twisting his words, denouncing him to Paris and accusing him of engaging in politics, of perhaps even having been involved in the assassination of the chief of police of Marseilles. In their reports, the French Ambassador at Rome and the Internuncio at Paris had put pressure on Gregory XVI to recall the Bishop of Icosia to Rome or to despatch him to Africa.<\/p>\n
It will take Bishop de Mazenod four months to prove his innocence and get the Pope\u2019s permission to return to France at the beginning of December 1833, against the wishes of the Ambassador.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cComparing one prison with another, \u201d <\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
writes the Bishop to Father Tempier on September 8, 1833 (EO 461),<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI would as soon try the one threatened by our fine ministers…. They are costing me my time, my money and my health. May God forgive them! It has put me in an ugly mood.\u201d<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He continues working alongside his uncle, even though officially he is no longer recognized as vicar-general of Marseilles.<\/p>\n
In fact, the Minister of Worship had written to Bishop Fortun\u00e9 on September 13, 1833:<\/p>\n
\u201cBishop de Mazenod, having neither solicited nor received the authorization of the Government to accept the conferring of a bishopric in partibus, is legally disabled, in virtue of articles 32 and 33 of Law 18 of Germinal 18, Year X, from exercising any ecclesiastical function in the kingdom or of continuing to fulfil those of vicar-general, which ought to have ceased from the moment of his installation as Bishop of Icosia. 1 have therefore had to order the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rh\u00f4ne to withhold the release of any mandate in his favour.\u201d<\/p>\n
The assertions of the Minister posed the problem in all its gravity. It was no longer simply a personal matter between the Bishop of Icosia and the Government, but a question of principle wherein the independence of the Church itself was not being recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yvon Beaudoin EO 8 pages XXV-XXVI<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We have been following the progress of the conflict between the government and Eugene. We saw how he had been summoned to Rome in the middle of 1833 and perhaps you are finding some of the events confusing. Thus, Yvon … Continue reading