VICTOR HUGO'S Les Misdr ables, placed on the Index in 1864, is to be published in full by the Italian Catholic publishing house of San Paolo, which has been given permission to do this by the Holy Office. The preface and footnotes in the forthcoming edition will supply those explanations to the reader that should protect him from any misinformation or moral damage that might result from the reading of the novel, it has been explained.
This aotion is regarded as indirect confirmation of reports that the Holy Office is actively considering a reform of the Index.
An official of the Holy Office said that the granting of permission was not entirely unprecedented. About e0 years ago similar permission was given for a book on the Index, but only on condition that whole sections were cue