The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-04

ance with the sentence OF the court.
The Prussian Prosecution Against the
Archbishop of POsen-Papal Defence Of
His Priestly Position.
The Cain ole Archbishop Count Ledochowski, of
Posen has now. altogether, been fined 300 thaers,
and consigned TO prison for having appointed
priests in cOntravention Of the prison law, and
for having threatened priest ana religious
teacher, Schroeder, with the greater excommuni-
cation. AS far as has been reported to the Berlin
authorities the Archbishop has altOgethe ap-
pointed forty-three priests contrary to the new
German law regulating ecclesiastical appointments
in the Empire,
In addition to the Imprisonment OF the Arch.
bishop che landrath OF the circle OF POsen has, by
order Of the Chief President. informed q village
priest (Arnd1, appointed, that he will be punished
II he executes any ecclesiastical functions; that
all such acts performed by him will be considered
invalid, and that all marriages performed by him
will be held TO be concubnag es.
THE ARCHBIsHOP's STATEMENT OF HIS CASE.
We give below the text OF the letter addressed
by Archbishop Count LedochOwski to the District
Court in the matter of the priest, Arndt, at
Fehne:-
Having received summons from the ROYAL Dis.
trict Court criminal division, to appear before the
Court, nave the honor TO state that the canonical
institution OF q clergyman to q parish is an ex-
clusvely ecclesiastical act, which to execute every
bishop OF a diocese is not only entitled, but also
bound by duty. For this reason it is impossible
for me to recognize In this matter, as well as in
every other which Is exclusively OF an ecclesiasti
cal and spiritual nature, in the execution OF my
authority than that of the Holy Apostolic See. Con-
sequently my conscience does not permit me
to appear before the Court, in order to
tuted the priest Anton Arndt, hitherto vicar at
Czarnikan, TO the parish of Fehne without in
tentOn to do so, although admit the fact. With
reference to the paragraphs quoted OF the law
mitted to declare that /, together with all other
bishops OF the monarchy, and already before the
M na so mot d to @
Is not compatible with the principles and dogmas
OF the Catholic Church. Alter the publication of
the law have, together with the whole episcOpate
declared to the imperial and royal government
that without grossly violating my duties towards
out these laws.
ton.
The following is a translation OF the text of the
Pope's letter to Archbishop Ledochowski, Of Posen
on the subject OF his position as q prelate Of the
Church, towards the Prusslan government
REV. BROTHER-Greeting, Apostolic blessings
Ii at any time It has been Gods pleasure to show
to men that the fabric OF the Church Is Of Divine
rected against 1t by the powers OF he'll and the
malice OF man must be In vain, surely 1t is now,
the sight even Of those who do not wish to see
1t, for He has permitted all to conspre for the de-
laws and temporal superiority arrayed against it,
the effect OF resolutions long formed brought to
feahzati3n oy protracied labor and developed by
everywhere secured supreme power. Its pro-
lessons are designated rebels; it's bishops con-
demne0 by lay courts as agitatOrS, prosecuted
with fines, deprived OF their Offices and expelled
the country. The spiritual orders are prohibited
prevented from exercising its ONCE. Education Of
youth In the spirit Of the Church Is for
population may not be confirmed in the principles lies
OF religion and that on the other, the hope may
vanish Of able and faithful servants Of the altar
being trained up. In order to undermine the glory
OF God the property dedicated to God Is robbed;
even the chief helmsman OF the Church is kept in
he may not govern the Church with freedom &C
cordng TO his pc wers All this, reverend brother,
own; for, though we are grieved at the heavy
portion OF woe meted out specially to you-s0
heavy that by the weight OF our prosecutions your
health has been endangered-we see on the other
hand and beyond this, the evil spreading over the
whole OF Europe to Its full length and breadth,
and, moreover, over other continents likewise.
Nevertheless, the very magnitude Of the evil
and the uncommon breadth OF tine diffusion gives
the sure hope that deliverance is close at hand;
for If God at a former time when he desired to
versties that even His own Son was not
sPn ac sy ahb sHif e ss 3 sd psspss
the generally eventual regeneration. and for
triumph OF the Cnurch, 8t this moment deprived
OF all human assistance. and that by the visible
manifestation Of His power He will compel even
the proudest hearts into obedience Furthermore,
reverend brother, you make the tokens OF your
love the dearer to US the more you are afflicted
with troubles, and magnanimOusly sacrifice every
thing, even life itself, to the execution of your
once; and the more resOlutely and stanch you
fight for the Church the more does our desire gain
in intensity that you may be quickly restored to all
the more complete health.
The gifts from your diocesans which you have
forwarded to us forced US to admire their fervent
love, but have at the same time OccasiOned q GER
tain regret because these aims are offered by those
who are themselves hemmed IN on all sides by
severe tribulation. Receive, therefore, the assur
ance OF the deep gratitude OF our heart, you as
well as your clergy aud your people, on behalf
OF whom we pray fervently to God, that
He may give them the same spirit
which he has given their pastor, and like
perseverance in the hour Of peril In which they
find themselves. May God grant them and you
that uniailing unanmity which annihilates and
exhausts all the power OF the adversares in order
thus to provide q fresh victory for the just cause
and fresh glory for the Church. Meanwhile,
herald OF the grace OF Cod and in proof OF our par
ticular attachment, we pronounce upon you and
both your archdOceses our apostolic blessing.
Given at Rome, at st. Peters, November 3, 1878,
the twenty-eighth OF our reign. Plus PIP. TX.
WEATHER REPORT.