The New York herald., 1872-11-03
Church and State I'm the Old world
The Conflict Between the Spiritual
and Civil Powers.

Church and State I'm she Old World
The Conflict Between the Spiritual
and Civil Powers.
The religious conflict which for some years
past has been raging between the civil and
ecclesiastical powers in Europe still continues
The latest aspect of the struggle. strange to
say, presents itself in Switzerland, the land
consecrated to liberty, hallowed by the MEM
ory Of William Tell, and inseparably and for
ever associated with the life and labors OF
John Calvin and the first successes OF the
Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth GEN.
tury. II is well known, the wide world over,
that the majority of the population Of Switzer-
land is now, as it has been since the Reforma-
ton, Protestant At the same time there are
in Switzerland large number Of Catholics.
The present trouble is not difficult to explain.
Some years ago M. Mermillod was appointed
Roman Catholic Cure of Geneva on the recon-
mendation of the bishop Of the diocese, the
Bishop of Lausanne. When N. Mermillod
became cure he took the oath ito obey and
preach obedience to the laws of the land"
Later, this same Mermillod received from the
Pope the title and dignity of Bishop Of
Hebron, auxiliary of Geneva According to
the laws of Switzerland no such appoint
ment can be made without the consent of the
civil government. On being notified that the
Council Of State could not recognize his epis-
copal authority, M. Mermillod gave for an
swer that ''he held his authority from the
Pope, and that he would exercise it despite
the authority of the Council of State" After
o somewhat heightened conflict the Bishop has
finally been forbidden the exercise of his
episcopal functions within Swiss territory 1t
was natural in the circumstances for the
Bishop and his friends to make an appeal to
the Holy Father. The Holy Father has given
his decision, and declares it to be his fixed de-
and to defend the cause of the Church in
Geneva against the decree of the Swiss gov
ernment. Such is the aspect Of the Church
and State question, of the spiritual and civil
conflict as now presented in Switzerland.
The contest between Rome and the civil au-
thorities is not confined to Switzerland alone.
1t RACES all over the European Continent.
The Holy See is at war with Italy, with Spain,
with Austria, and between spiritual Rome and
each of those once devoted Catholic countries
friendly relations are suspended. Rome and
Russia have long been estranged, and the day
of reconciliation seems as far distant as ever.
All the world is familiar with the situation as
between Rome and the German Empire.
There are many who thought that the restora-
ton of the Empire Of Charlemagne, of Otho,
of Frederick Of the Red Beard, while it would
not fail to revive ancient and hallowed men,
ories, might bring about o happy readjust-
ment Of the long disturbed relations Of the
civil and religious powers. This hoped-for
result has not been attained. The restoration
of the Empire, SO far from being gain, has
proved ruinous to the Holy See. The German
Chancellor is too much bent on his own par
ticular work of reconstructing the Fatherland
to have any consideration for the interests Of
the Chair of st. Peter. Harsh laws have been
enacted in North Germany against the Jesuits
and other brotherhoods Of the Roman Catho-
ously executed. Nor is this antipathy
to what is called Ultramontanism con-
fined to North Germany alone. Bava-
ria is almost as hard on the Jesuits as is
Prussia, and such is the influence Of Germany
on her immediate neighbors that the govern
ment of Holland has broken up some Jesuit
institutions. The case of the Bishop of
Ermeland still commands attention. It
seems that, according to the Prussian law, no
bishop can excommunicate his subordinates
without the consent Of the government This
law DR.. Krementz ignored when he excommu-
because they refused to accept the
dogma of infallibility. The government
has taken its revenge by depriving
the Bishop Of his emoluments. The
Bishop chooses to obey the Pope rather than
the King, and SO for the present the matter
stands. Meanwhile the Old Catholics are
vigorous and full Of hope. They are showing
no signs Of willingness to abandon their
position or to conciliate Rome. Prince Bis
marck finds them useful, and it is believed by
many that he secretly encourages the Old
Catholic movement for his own ends. 1t has
Uccu IcCcAIy ptuVcu, vi BOOu butuOIltyy tuut
the Old Catholics have been encouraged to
believe that Prince Bismarck is pre-
pared, in the event of Rome refusing
to yield, to recognize them as
the true representatives of Catholicism
in North Germany. Such recognition might
have the effect Of bringing about Q revolu-
ton similar. to that which took place in
England when Henry the Eighth broke with
Rome.
The struggle between Church and State
which now in SO many shapes commands the
attention Of the Christian world is not new.
It is almost as old as the Chair Of st. Peter
When Constantine abandoned Rome and estab-