The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-07-19

pers Hyaeinshss New chu1oh.
, ICorrespondent N. 81. Wor,d

~ Correspondent N. z. World.
LONDON, June24.-The /" Old Catholics u
of Switzerland have met at Berne to Law
the foundations of their new ecclesiastical
organization; and after reading a long
account of their proceedings reported for
the London Times by a sympathizin9
spectator, am constrained to say that thew
seem to have made a precious null of it.
Before go further should say that these
gentlemen, although called together under
the name of "Old Catholics" did not
separate without rejecting that appeliation,
and declaring that they should call them
selves, and desired others to speak of them
as Christian Catholics" request which,
for my part, I shall be glad to comply
with, inasmuch as it go plainly intimates
that all the other Catholics in the world.
even the "Old Catholics" of Germany,
are unchristian Catholics, and that the ca.
tholic Church founded at Jerusalem more
than 1900 years ago has dwindled down to .
the faithful flock who have Mr.. Loyson'tfor
their shepherd. Open war now exists be-
tween the German "OId Catholics ~ and
the " Christian Catholics of Switzerland.
for the former regard Mr.. Loyson's mar.
rage as . premature and unwise act, CAL
cutated to bring contempt upon the new
reformation and to suggest to it's foes that,
like all the misfortunes which have befallen
mankind since the time of Adam and Eve,
there was woman aud that old serpent
the devil at tho bottom of it. Mr.. Loysop,
when he last went to an "Old Catholic u
congress in Germany, was insulted and
driven from the room and regret to say
friends at Berne language was used which
constrained him and another gentleman
who had once been Romish priest to retire
for the space Of half an hour. They finally
returned and harmony was restored. The
offensive language on this occasion had no
relation to Mr.. Loyson's marriage; it re-
bishops. Some of the 'sChristian Catholics"
were so violently opposed to the mere. idea
of bishops that they metaphorically foamed
at the mouth, and Mr.. Loyson and a COL
league of his, Pfarrer Herzog, "got up and
left the ROOM" They both propose to be
bishops of the new Church themselves, and
ments tending to show that the new Church
did not need any bishops and that all the
bishops in the world were hang dog rascals.
The meeting at Bsrne was called for the
purpose of finally settling the constitution
of the new Church. It was composed of
" nearly eighty delegates" from Basle,
Berne. Geneva, st. Gall, Lucerne, Soleure;
and Zurich. Out of the eighty, however,
wit: Mr.. Loyson, Pfarrer Horzog, "whom
general repute designates as the first Bishop
of this church," Pfarrer Gaschwind, and
another Pfarrer, name not given, of Zurich.
The title of the new church caused some
discussion. cold Catholic" was voted
down; Liberal Catholic" was strongly |
ried the day. The Roman Catholic Church |
was voted to be no church at all, but only
q corporation of heathenish idolaters, The
new Church is to be governed by council, |
of the bishop, when they get |
one, three priests, and five laymen, and the |
bishop can do nothing without the council. |
member proposed that they should have no
bishop. This motion obtained strong sup,
port. " An able professor of Berne Uni
versity,p q delegate from Zofingen, and q
Basle deputy, declared that bishops were a
nuisance, and that the new Church would
lie if it got q bishop. It was at this point
If the proceedings that Mr.. Loyson aud his
colleague retired, and they were only in
1uced to return by being informed that the
meeting had voted, "amid much laughter,n
on the suggestion of Pfarrer Gaschwiud,
hat a bishop is necessity for us Catho-
les, although a necessary evil" Even after
his was settled and arrangements for
stripping the bishop of all authority were
made, so great was the fear of the laymen
hat they made another effort to rob the
'gre of some o. his terrors by calling him
~ another name. The team Artistic I"
vas suggested, but this was ruled out BY
eason Of the fact that this was the very
word used for bishop in the Roman Catholic
# the President Of the meeting that @ iah if thew
hanged the name of bishop the Catholic
ok will think our religion new one,"
hey reluctantly consented to retain the
lreaded appellation, but with the proviso
hat the council might depose the bishop at {
ny time. The question of how they were I
o get bishop and who was to consecrate
i'm was not discussed. 4
The correspondent through whom have
btained. the above interesting facts, i
tates that the new Church has not as yet !
lade much progress save in Geneva
Five of the priests are already married." ]
nd the others are looking out for wives. f
Confession is no longer obligatory :" the t
lection of the clergy by the laity is a fixed c
rinciple, and the new church has obtained d
ossession, by the aid of the authorities, of g
our of the edifices which belonged to the i
.oman Catholics, these idolaters being now
ompelled to worship in barns or in halls
ired for the purpose. The whole influence
f the present Swiss Government is thrown
/ favor of the new Church, and it is rather I
stonishing that its progress has not been 4
lore marked than it appears to be. Per- =
APPS when Mr.. LoysoR or Pfarrer Herzog is q
4 i.