"
The former is the supreme and absolute governor of the
establishment over which he is appointed to rule, the latter is
entrusted with the more active of the spiritual duties attaching to
the Pilgrim Church. He is the shepherd of the good Catholic flock,
whose pasture is prepared in the midst of Mussulmans and
schismatics; he keeps the light of the true faith ever vividly
before their eyes, reproves their vices, supports them in their
good resolves, consoles them in their afflictions, and teaches them
to hate the Greek Church. Such are his labours, and you may
conceive that great tact must be needed for conducting with success
the spiritual interests of the church under circumstances so odd as
those which surround it in Palestine.
But the position of the Padre Superiore is still more delicate; he
is almost unceasingly in treaty with the powers that be, and the
worldly prosperity of the establishment over which he presides is
in great measure dependent upon the extent of diplomatic skill
which he can employ in its favour. I know not from what class of
churchmen these personages are chosen, for there is a mystery
attending their origin and the circumstance of their being
stationed in these convents, which Rome does not suffer to be
penetrated.
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