The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08
Archbishop Manning ON the ChurcI
CrlaiS In Ger many.


Crisis In Ger many.
At the English Catholic meeting In st. James
Hall Archbishop Manning, referred to in our tele-
gram from London repeated his opinion Of the
Church crisis in Germany and Its causes pretty
much In the same language in which he had just
presented 1t at the Church OF st. Edward, West
minister, on the Octave OF ST. Edward thus:-
In the letter of the German Emperor to the Pope
ind two grave assertlons-One, that the Catho-
lies OF Germany have Tor two years cOnspred
against the peace OF the Empire and against the
peace OF other denominations; the other, that
nothing In the laws which have been passed
touches the Catholic religion, and that, therefore,
In no way Is the Catholic religion affected by what
Is now passing IN Germany. Here are two broad
assertions, and with them will now deal. First,
l would ask did not the Catholics OF Germany
she'd Jleir blood all the battle fields OF France
Did they not lay the foundation stones Of that
Empire with their lifeblood' Were they not
laid the first basis Of that imperial power
Where was there any evidence or sign Of hostility
to imperial CT, Germany in the %en Eho laid down
vr'cIiiy or Secretly cOnspired 10 undo the
work that he has helped to accomplish What
bishop what priest Dor they are accused by name)
has in any way, by act or word, manifested him
founded on tPs blood and the lives Of the Catholics
does not exist In any record. say that for tn is
reason. When the great Minister OF the Empire,
standing up before Parliament, was challenged
to produce the proof Of his accusation, he could
produce no documents. Challenged again and
again to bring proof OF these allegations he
brought none but this, you must trust my word
Brethren, we live under q Parliamentary system,
in which we understand how free men speak in the
light OF day. No man may be accused unless good
proof Is brought against him, and any Minister,
however power. I'll, who should stand up here and
say that you must take his mere word that a large
body OF your fellow subjects are cOnspiring trea-
sOnably, and should bring no better proof, would
not be listened 20. The honesty OF Englishmen and
tue Justice of Tree men would absolutely refuse to
hear the HACK charge OF treason brought against
o body of men without proof OF the TACT. Let me
imagine Tor one moment that have not the power
to teach the faith In all its purity, and In all its
precision, to those who are to minister to you
hereafter unless I receive a sanction from the
civil power. God giving me the grace. would
lay down my life rather than submit. The
supreme authority OF the Church In the cure OF
souls Is this that Will never enrust the teaching
oil nOck nor the hearing OF the confessions Of the
people to any man whom she has not herself chosen,
tried and approved The laws at this moment
made In Germany forbid the bishops to appoint
parish priests who have not received the sanction
OF the civil power This touches religion IN its most
vital part. Lastly. there is constituted in Germany
a supreme tribunal OF appeal TO which all cases
arising In matters ecclesiastical to be carried,
and there be decided In the final resort. This Is
the liberty Tor which St. Thomas died. That Is to
saw 1t the rejection OF the supreme authority OF the
Vicar OF Jesus Christ, the sole and only fountain OF
the Jurisdiction OF the Church, the supreme Judge
OF all causes OF the Divine law, the supreme doc.
trlnal authority on earth.
Ca Re i,yR cSt tat