The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-11-10

UNDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 10, 1879


wished to remain ON the territory of til G
German Empire should give notice within
three days of the locality where they in
tended to reside. To different suppiica-
Mops asking for prolongatiOn of our
leave of residence in Cologne the chief Of
police replied verbally that an indefi mite
proicngation was granted us; but on the
Minister Of Worship was served upon us,
Informing US that there was no ground for
altering the decision of the royal govern
ment Of Cologne, dated Sept. Iitb.
This long catalogue Of violent proceed
ings was not provoked by any offence on
our part; and We have submitted to it with
resignation in obedience to the spirit of
Christianity, and the principles of tile So.
ciety of Jesus. We have kept silence and
submitted with patience; and we have dis.
solved our community. But now we think
that we ought to protest against the inva-
siOu of our rights. We owe it to our
honor, we owe it to thee catholic body, and
afforded as so lnanyaqreofs Of it's sympathy,
and which 10 now witness of this strange
spectacle, the sight of priests faithful 70
the Catholic Church treated rs criminals at
the same time that apostats priests are at
liberty, with unmeasured iusuit to incite
persons to abandon the Catholic Church.
/ As citizens of the State we protest against
these proceedings. Never have We given
the Government any reason to complain of
us; we have conacientiously fulfilled all
our civil duties, We may even say that we
have gone beyond them, especially during
the late war. Our reward 10 to have mea-
sures employed against us that are in fla
grant contradiction with liberty, which is
founded on the rights of all. An excep-
tiOnai law has been enacted against US !;
rights which the Constitution guarantees
to all citizens have been wrested from us !;
we have been placed under police snrveiT-
lance Of the severest sort, az If we were
malefactors; We have been driven from our
property and all this without any legal
charge being made against US; without any
sentence being passed; the court of law
being closed against us.
As Catholic priests we protest against
these proceedings. The Bishops Of the
Catholic Church, and they alone possess the
right to grant aud to withdraw the powers
Of administering the sacraments and
preaching the word of God--Articies 10
and I6 of the Prussian Constitution guaran
tee to the Catholic Church those rights and
oil others which essentially belong TO it
in virtue Of those rights We were called by
the ecclesiastical authorities to Cologne,
and it was by those authorities that all
our sacerdotal pow crs were conferred upon
| US. The Government encroaches on ground
which does not belong to it when it inter
vernment includes under Functions of or
der" all the ecclesiastical functions, it
pushes the law farther than the law itself
| processes to reach. When The Government
deprives US of all eur sacerdotal functions,
| it forbids rs the practice Of our own voca-
tion /; although, by the canon law, priests
are debarred from gaining their livelihood,
as laymen do, by working at other occupa-
tions.
Lastly, we protest against these proceed
| ipgs az members of the Company Of Jesus.
It lie time an attempt be made to justify
these proceedings under the pretext that
the Company Of Jesus constitutes q danger
| did not constitute. danger to the State.
On the contrary, they were then welcome
support to the Government that was then
imperilled. Since that time they have
| preached III great Number Of cities and
other places, and never has any State been
/ able to complain that they have preached
DANGEROUS doctrine; never.have they beer
90 much as accused Of doing 80.
Nevertheless, the Jesuita are now become
ail at once dangerous TO the State, and the
most rigorous Ineasures taken against them
without legal process, without indictment
| without evidence, without Witnesses. Wa
protest against the harshness with which
/ the Royal Government Of Cologne has
j thought proper to enforce the act againsl
Il us; for, white even the act itself allows q
delay Of elk months, which 10 other casei
has been granted, In our case n term o.
I from four to six Weeks has been Axed
which IL utterly insuA7cieat Ia which 70 ar.
Il range our Affairs and to ADd an asylum
elsewhere; besides that, while In Other
u cnees it wac allowed to Soy Macs, that bene
T flt IL denied TO us.; harRhRess which In
mot been REovolred ~ my ast % euE pm
W theEfoze prot 81 aEsinsk thaEa kars|
iina Is @laseh NO nfS' tie ri f,ak
Sia et ts1s