Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-12
The Congress. of the Old Catholics.

The cod Catholics at Their Congress at
Cologne did not deal with the question of the
Ceiibacy OF the clergy, had been expected
IL was just alluded to in one of the speeches
but the general feeling was that any discussion
OF the subject would be premature. The reso-
lutions adopted by the Congress declare that
Priests who have been suspended or ex-
communicated because Of their nlelitv to their
religion are qualified to exercise all pastoral
functions,
that
Whenever the necessity is felt. the Cstho-
lies y hO have remained true 10 the old f8itd are
justified ia organizing q regular pastOrate by
ale 81 VOiEtment of priest. Under the present
circumstances such a priest can, even without
Institution and in spite OF the prohibition of the
shop fallen from the old faith, perform all
PASTORAL functions"
that
% In 81 far as the observation Of the liturzica'
ordinances j. not possible the same are rot
obligatory, since the validity or The liturgical
act Goes not depend upon such things; AMI,
according 30 the formal right, these ordinances
may lie diSregsrded. when a Catholic church
cannot be procured for the celebration of divine
service, al evangelical one, or another ed.ics
nay uEheSitstingly be made use Of The
Traditional htnTgical usages are TO be retained
as nearly as possible. The carrying out OF
reform m the department of discipline and
worship remsins for the future. For the present
"A wholesome and PROFESSIONALLY justiiablc
reform will he attained by the abolition of
surplce fees, stipends for the mass and the
avoidance OF the nuisance and outgrowth of the
system OF Indulgences, the generation of the
saints, the scspulary, medallions, etc 1t is also
wholesome reform that in the sermons of our
clergy all destinations religioso- political
questions of the day, well as bitterness
AGAINST The members OF other faiths, be avoided.
We maintain the right to establish a regular
episcopal jurisdiction-that worthy men be
chosen by the priests and the represent afives of
the congregations, who have remained true to
ne Old Catholic faith, a. bishops, to be cOnse-
Grated by an orthodox 90. C.) bishOp; an ! that
BE shall first of all perform the episcopal func-
tions in the manner of the missionary bishops OF
The ancient church. The congress elects a
committee OF seven members, OF whom three
shall be theolcgisns, two canonists, and two
laymen- They shall take all preparatory meas
ures Tor the election OF bishops"
The congress further demanded that the Ger
man and Austrian governments, as well as that
of Switzerland, shall consider the Catholics
holding fast TO the Old Catholic church, and
who repudiate the Vatican DEGREES a an inno-
walton, rs members of the church recognized by
the state, and as such TO be protected. On the
ether hand, that they consider the bishops who
have adopted the Vaticsn limo ation-an,i their
organs-as deprived OF every Jurisdiction over
the Old Catholics, who, without This, are de-
Clared IN the Vatican DEGREES as not belonging
to the New Catholic sect. A resolution was also
passed re- Nesting the governments 10 recognize
the bishops about to be elected as bishops OF the
NdtuVitO ti4t.ECAf " CDucttlSF tHern As endowed
with the same authority over Old Catholic COM
munities as belongs 20 Catholic bishops under
the existing laws; 20 grant them don atoms from
The treasury and TO appoint the priests to livings
under the patronage OF the state. The general
introduction to the obligatory civil marriage
was also declared to be necessary.
IL was also resolved that the .sOld Catholics
are not bound to contribute to the ecclesiastical
objects Of the New Catholics" and 1.-the Old
Catholic" communities are urgently recon-
mended TO strive for the repossession of the
property OF the Catholic Church, by admins
trative ami legal proceedings"
Ii will thus be seen that the party calling
themselves the "Old Catholics" have virtually
declared war upon the Roman Catholics" 1t
remains to be seen how extensive a following
they will take.