The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-08
Liberty of Conscience in Germany.

Tho telegraphic news Of two or three
days ago announced that meeting of Pro-
from various parts OF the German
Empire was being held at Darmstadt, for
the purpose of considering the condition OF
Protestantism in Germany. The tenor OF
a portion of their deliberations can be in
ferred from the following item, taken from
the same dispatch:
resolution has been adopted setting forth
that it is tho interest Of Germany 70 oppose
the doctrine Of Psral Infalibility, that dogma
=; the 70
freedom of conscience which 10 the base OF
pure religion that the establishment of the
Order Of Jesus must be prohibited.
The first impression that this makes upon
the readers mind is that of wonder az to
what the dogma of Papal Infallibility has
to do with the "condition of Professionalism"
which these gentlemen met to discuss. In
what way could that doctrine affect Pro-
testapts who do no not for q moment think
of believing it, 1t seems strange that
they should interfere with Catholics as to
the articles of their belief, or distinguish
between those articles, when they consider
! the whole batch equally erroneous.
But the mystery is solved when, after
bordering over the subsequent phrases, we
conclude that the Intervention of the poll
teal powers is invoked. Professionalism
feels its weakness, and seeks every and
any excuse for enlisting the strength OF
| Governments on its side. How to reconcile
this with liberty of conscience, which is it's
very battle-cry, is the grand difficulty.
| In this particular instance Professionalism
finds the dogma "inimical to the sove-
reignty of State and the liberties of the
people;" hence it's anxiety about the
obnoxious doctrine not that it means ,te
dignity the other heathenish doctrines OF
the Catholic Church with anything like
respectability in comparison with this spe-
cial one,-not that it is to be understood az
taking a friendly interest in the affairs of q
sister sect, and administering to it q whole
some reproof against thus going astray from
it's former path of rectitude. What II
really means is to stir up the fanatica
hatred of the State, and cause the str6n g
hands of Government to smite its own Op
ponents. This, too, although it necessarily
and vociferously insists on freedom of con
science-religious iberty-as being sacra
mental in all constitutions and laws.
This religious liberty is not to extend, il
appears, to che dogma Of Papal Infallibility
A man may believe anything he chooses t.
believe, except that. Thoroughly con
vinced from the depths of his soul, through
the express language of the Bible, through
the writings of the Fathers, through tn
miraculous confirmation given by q lonl
history of exemption from error, through
the fitness and necessity of the doctrin
itself, that the Holy Ghost gives perpetual
infallibility to the Church and to its angus
Head, he shall not yet be permitted to be
lieve it. He may believe in Mahommet o
Buddha, recognize the Book of Mormon o.
reject all revelation, worship the sun o
, assert that there is no God whatever. III
f is free to take up with any doctrine an
practise any religion but the Catholic reli
gion in this particular "doctrine." 1t
, dangerous to the State. -
. Is this truef Give unto God what