The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-28

: nothing should be wanting to the entire sup
: nal for ecclesiastical affairs has been institut
j. Cd, before which Bishops and sacred pastor
!. may be cited, both by private men who ar
toer subjects, and by public magistrates, Their
: 10 receive judgment ns criminals, and to b.
ooerced In the exercise Of their spiritual office
t Thus the Holy Church of Christ, to which
the necessary and full liberty Of religion had
promise OF princes, and by public pacts and
| conventions, is now in mourning in those re.
gi1ns, stripped of its every right, and exposed
to hostile powers which threaten it with final
destruction; for this new legislation reaches
70 the point of rendering the life of the Church
No wonder, therefore, that in that Empire
the former religious peace should be broken up
by laws OF this kind aud by the other counsels
aud acts of the Prussian Government full of
| hostility to tho Church. Wherefore, if any
one would throw the blame of these perturba
tionsi on the Catholics of the German Empire
It would 10 altogether without warrant. FSf
| if it be imputed to them as au offence that
| they do not acquiesce in those laws in which
with safe conscience they cannot acquiesce
| FOR like reason and in like manner the apos-
ties and martyrs of Jesus Christ are to be ac-
cused, who chose rather to undergo the most
cruel punishment and death itself than betray
Their proper office, and violating the laws of
their most holy religion in obedience to inn
plons commands of prosecuting princes. OF o
truth, Venerable Brothers, If no other laws
than the laws of Q civil empire existed, and
laws indeed of higher order which it is o
DUTY TO obey and sin to violate; If, moreover,
these same civil laws could constitute o su- |
preme rule of conscience, rs some impiously |
and absurdly contend, the primitive martyrs, !
shedding their blood for the Faith Of Christ
and the liberty of the Church, would be rather
worthy Of blame than of honor and praise.
Nay, it would not even have been possible, in
the teeth of laws and against tho will of prin-
ces, to preach and propagate the Christian
religion, and to found the Church. The
demonstrates. that there exists twofold
order of things, and at the same time two
powers are to be distinguished on the earth
the one natural, which provided for the tran
guilty of human society aud secular affairs
the other, the origin which is aboye nature,
supreme over the City of God, that is the
peace and the eternal salvation OF souls. And g
the officers of twofold power are in wisdom Or {
dained that the things of God should be rem q
dered to God, and that. in obedience to God, 7
the things of Cesar should be rendered to 9
Caesar, who is " therefore great because he is I
less than hcavep;i for he himself belongs to a
Him to whom belong the heavens and every {
creature (rertnliian. Apolog. cap. 800. From L
This divine command the Church assuredly has 0
never been turned aside, for it has always and
avery where labored to impress on the minds of {
nvioiab!y to maintain towards sovereign b
princes and their laws in secular things, aud o
t has taught with the Apostle, that princes 4:
ire not terror to good works, but to evil, q
,omma nding tho faithful to be subject not b
,nly for wrath's sake, because the prince bears d
he sword, rs al aVeBger in wrath for him who I
lis Office. he is the minister of God" (Rom. q
ILL.,, b. This fear of princes the Church itself II
sstrains to evil deeds, and excludes it ex- nj
'ressly from the observance of the Divine I'D
aw, bciDg mindful of that which the blessed to
'etcr taught to the faithful: LET none OF a.
gu suffer as murderer, or thief, or y
= q Christian let him not he ashamed. but let OF
5. 49, 3d. ~ O'1 D'' ~ v ~ " d.
Since these things are SO, you will easily un- til
erstand, Venerable Brothers, with what sor. al
D of mind We must have been affected when Sc
&C read in q letter lately sent to Us by the az
mperor OF Germany in person an accusation va
OF less cruel than unlocked for against part, ha
he himself says, of his Catholic subjects, pi
nd especially against tho Catholic clergy and en-
ishops of Germany. OF which accusation 81
ld fluctuations, and not counting their life ar
ore precious than themselves" (ActS xx.24) Al
ave refused to obey the aforesaid laws with lol
10 same constancy with which, before they To-
ere passed, they bad protested by de- an
punching their injustice which was unfOlded sa
grave, luminous, and solid expostulH- ma
ons, amidst the applause Of the whole aP
Atholic verdi, and Of not few even of Al
IN. Catholics, before tho Sovereign, bis Minis en-
re-, aud the supreme Legislature OF the king Dt
,m. For that cause they are now accused 10 The
the crime of treason, as of consuming aud an
inspiring with those who are cDdeavorIng TO Go
erlhrOw all orders in humau society, without da
gard to inuumerabie and notable proofs BE
hich evidently bear itness to their uDshaken the
it'll and allegiance to their Sovereign and US
cir feryent patriotism to wards their country. tn
-, aud We ourselves are asked to exhort On
osc Catholics aud sacred pastors to observe rh
e aforesaid laws, which is 10 ask that We sh1
SO ourselves should lend DOR help in oppress. tL'
g and scattering the flock of Christ. But, Aa
listing in God, We are confident that tho arr
1st Serene EMPEROR when he has better as n o
rtained and weighed these things, will reject o.;
suspicion SO empty and Incredible against
8 faithful servants, and will no longer en- wa
ire that their honor should be assailed by SO jus
al calumny, and that an unmerited prose la
tion should be continued against them.