, 1873-10-31
THE OLD CATHOLICS.

THE OLD CATHOLICS.
The syvcaring-in Of Prof. ncinkons
ns Prussinn Catholic Bishop.
London Telcaraph, Oct. 10.
In view Cf tho great public interost which has
boon excited by tho correspondence between the
Pope and tho German Emperor, it may be inter-
esting to give translations Of tho exact text of
the extremely important documents aud spoochoa
in Prof. Reinkons rs pr1lssian Catholic Bishop.
In forwarding these documents, our special cor
respondent ut Berlin writes that tho excitement
which hhs boen aroused in Catholic circles by tho
whole episode ia simply inioacribable. Tho form
Of oath administered to tho now Bishop was ns
follows:
NJ, Joseph Hubert Reinkens, swear an oath to,
Almighty and Omnscient God, upon the Holy
Eyangelists, that I, having been raised to the
dignity Of 0a!holio Bishop, viii DO subject,
Majesty William Of Prussia, aud to tho legitimate
Succession in Government Of His Most High Ma
jesty, according to my ability, avoid injury md
prejudice to them, will conecientiouuly observe
to achieve tint feeling Of awe and fidelity to-
ward the King, Of love for tho fatherland, OF
deforeuco to tho lnws, md oil those virtues which
denote the good subject in the Christian, shall
be carefully fostered III tho minds OF tho clergy
aud communities entrusted to my episcopal direc-
ton and will not tolerate that my subordi-
nnto clergy shall teach and act III a sense
opposed to tho abovo, More especially I vow
thnt will not entertain my. association or con-
nection, bo it within or without the kingdom,
which may be projudiclal to public aafety aud,
should become aware that propositions shall
be made anywhere which mny result in injury to
tlo State, tint will signify the same to His
tho moro 'irrefragably in that am persuaded
that my episcopal office obliges me to nothing
which cnu be opposed to tho oath Of loyalty and
fidelity to His Royal Majesty, or to that Of
obedience to tho law Of tho land. All this
swear, 10 help mo God and this Holy Eyangol-
iem!"
Tho patent of recognition, signed by the King
and handed by Dr. Falk to tho Bishop after he
had takcn tho foregoing oath, roads thus:
"Wo, William, BY the graco OF God, King OF
prusBia, etc.. etc., giyo to know. and make hore
by known, that wo herewith, in virtue Of tho
Episcopal election hold in Cologne on tho 4th Of
June, 1873, and Of tho conservation to tho
Catholic Episcopate performed by the Bishop Of
Doyenter, in Rotterdam, on the i1th Of August,
Catholic Theological Faculty Of Dreslau Uniyor-
Bity, DR.. Joseph Hubert ReinkonB as Catholic
Bishop; and, accordingly. VIC command our
Upper Presidents, Presidents, and Provincial
Colleges aB well as each aud every Of our vas-
BalH and subjects, Of whatsoever nsme, position,
dignity, or condition, herewith, graciouBly and
earnostly, that they shall recognize and
respect tho said Joaeph Hubert Roinkens
IA
have, and enjoy fuily and without question BY
anybody. all that which may be dependent upon
his oflco, may belong thereto, or may bo oxacted
in virtue thereof, In the way Of honprs and Dig
nifty, profits aud other advantages, on penalty Of
our royal displeaBure and heavy, inevitable rep.
rohenslon without prejudice, however, to oil
that belongs to uB aud to our royal and terri
torial princely privileges.
Mn wtaess whereof We have completed this
present patent Of recognition with our moRt OK
alted signature. and have caused 1t to be aealod
with our royal signet. Thus given:
DERL1N, Sept. ID, 1878. WMNELM."
The Bishop, in answer to Dr.. Falka address,
observed inter ALA:
tiona, for it only promisos what I fool myself
joyfully FREQ to fulfill. It Is also Joy to me.
taking into account the circumstance that those
whose mission it is to inatruct tho people re-
speotiug that eacred duty, obedience to it's stl.
perors aud their Laws, excite the maesos and fill
them with ill-will towards that duty, to boar
solemn testimony in this place to my conviction
that such obedience Is truly religious duty and
that he who infringes it is guilty Of sin against
God. declare, also, that I foreBee no collision
between the fulilllnlent Of this duty and the OK
orciao of my office; contemplate the future
with poace and confidence, for tho prosent State
Government purauos in Its legislation as well as
in its administration principles which not only
(uernnnTig dcnkcnten Gclste), but also are
emincntly Christian, generated by the spirit
OF Christianity. They therefore Do not
hinder mo in but stimulate mo to the fulhllmont
contrary to all expectation, como into conflict
with my oath, would instantly rosign my office
rather than clash with that oath In tho least
respect. And now declare onco moro that
oyory word Of tho oath subscribed to by mo will
be sacred for no.
It is unnecessary to point out how entirely
Blahop Rainkens indorsos tho view of tho relh-
tions Of Church and State Which form tho basis