As we reflect on this period of conflict that Eugene was living, let us remember the personal suffering he was undergoing. Persecuted by the government, removed as Vicar General to his Uncle Bishop Fortun\u00e9 in Marseilles, and not experiencing any support from the Pope who was in an awkward situation trying to bring maintain political expediency with the government for the sake of the welfare of the Church in France. In the center of all this was the suffering of a person.<\/p>\n
The French government had engineered a situation where they were attempting to pressurize the Pope to take action against Eugene, whom they wanted sent away from France. Eugene \u2018s message to the Pope was:<\/p>\n
\nBut this does not go so far as agreeing to leave France\u2026 It is also to do oneself too much violence to condemn oneself, for the satisfaction of a government, to a perpetual exile.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
If Eugene did not leave France then the authorities pressurized the Pope to remove him from Marseilles. Eugene\u2019s response:<\/p>\n
\nLikewise I am not decided to go and stay outside Marseilles\u2026 really it would be incomprehensible why I would go to live in another town; it would give rise to the worst impression: I would have the appearance of having been sent away as a penance by the Pope<\/span>, while in reality I would be being persecuted by the government, which would seem not to have anything to do with it, and which would exploit the Sovereign Pontiff to punish me for not being to its liking.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The heart of the matter was:<\/p>\n
\nThe truth is I am by no means hostile to the government<\/span>; I am doing nothing against it, although it might well be true that it does not fill me with enthusiasm. It is because I stay clear of politics and am unassailable on that point<\/span> that the intervention of the Sovereign Pontiff is sought. I hope that this odious tactic will not succeed and that I will remain at my post.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Baron D Papassian in Rome, 14 May 1834, EO XV n 173<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As we reflect on this period of conflict that Eugene was living, let us remember the personal suffering he was undergoing. Persecuted by the government, removed as Vicar General to his Uncle Bishop Fortun\u00e9 in Marseilles, and not experiencing any … Continue reading