§ LORD DESBOROUGHMy Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government he Question standing in my name on the Paper—namely, what has resulted from the communications of the Foreign Office and the Home Office with the Holy See with regard to securing a fixed date for Easter— and to move for Papers.
It will be in the recollection of the House that the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill to secure a fixed date for Easter was adjourned on the Motion of the most reverend Primate in order to give His Majesty's Government, and more especially the Home Office, an opportunity of entering into communication with the Vatican upon the subject. I do Dot know whether His Majesty's Government can tell us what the result of those communications has been. Long and elaborate statements have appeared in the newspapers as to the appointment by the Holy See of a Committee, under the chairmanship of Cardinal Mercier. The Committee appears to consist of most of the astronomers holding high positions in every country, and it is said that they are going to sit in April. Two of the supposed members of this alleged Committee have been interviewed at some length in the newspapers. I should like to ask His Majesty's Government, whether they could give any information on those points. I beg to move.
THE EARL OF ONSLOWMy Lords, in consequence of the debate in your Lordships' House enquiries were made by the Foreign Office through His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican, and His Majesty's High Commissioner at Constantinople, to ascertain the views held by the Vatican and by the Holy Synod respectively in regard to the proposal. In a Despatch dated September 15, Sir Horace Rumbold reported that the question had been discussed by the Holy Synod at Constantinople, 246 which had decided that it was not competent to deal with it. It could only be dealt with by an (Ecumenical Council which could not be held until a Patriarch had been elected in the place of His Holiness, Monsignor Germanos, who died some two years ago.
As regards the Vatican, in a Despatch of May 19, Count de Salis reported that he had addressed an enquiry to the Holy See, and that Monsignor Cerretti, in conversation, had stated that the question would receive careful attention. Subsequently Count de Salis informed the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that Monsignor Cerretti had just notified him that the question had been laid before the Pope, and had received His Holiness' careful attention, but that it was felt, in so far as the Catholic Church was concerned, that there was insufficient ground for changing the present system. As the Lord has said, allusions have been made in the Press to a Committee said to have been appointed by the Pope, to enquire into this question. Enquiries were made by telegram of His Majesty's. Minister at the Vatican. The reply just received from him is to the effect that nothing is known at the Vatican of any such Committee.
The noble Lord in his Question asked for Papers. I do not know whether anything further would be learnt from the Papers. I have given all the facts. There is no objection to supply the noble Lord with Papers if he wishes, but there is the question of expense, and if he does not think that anything further would he gained by Papers, perhaps he would not think it necessary to press his Motion.
§ LORD DESBOROUGHWill my noble friend give me copies of the correspondence?
§ LORD DESBOROUGHI beg to withdraw my Motion.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.