The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-20
The Civil Church.

In the telegrapbic column of some days
ago appeared the following item:
The Tribunal at Posen sentenced Prince
Bishop, DIR. Forster, of Brcsleu, to q fine of
two thousand marks OF 1873 days imprson ment
for illegally communicating priest.
1t twill be borne in mind that excommu-
nication ia an ecclesiastical censure or pen
alty-a cutting off from the Church. The
power of cutting of seandalous or unfaith
full members IL essential to the existence
of . church. If it cannot purify itself in
that way it may be overrun with false
teachers in such numbers that people would
not know whom 60 reoeive or follow. If
any one could teach whatever doctrine he
should fancy and still be in good standing,
the church would no longer have any pecu
liar doctrines Of its own. If, ia word, q
church cannot define it's own boundaries,
if it cannot decide what are it's real doc
trines, if it cannot denounce all heresies
and separate from its fold all heretics, it
has lost les identity. 1t is anything or
| nothing.
To say, then, that ecclesiastical supe-
riors shall be deprived Of the right to ex-
communicate interiors lie to destroy the
autonomy of the Church. To say that
they shall not do it in certain particular
cases, or, even, in one particular case, is to
assume control of the subject in the person
who says so and virtually claim the power
to interfere in every case of excommuni-
cation.
This assumption of authority on the par,
of a State is in fact and effect statutory
suppression of the Church. What would
be said if the State which has just fined
Bishop Forester for communicating 6
priest should to- morrow foe OF impFisor
him for being a Catholic7 Perhaps-wt
say perhaps, for we believe it quite doubt
ful-public sentiment in this country
would pronounce the act one of open perse
cution. But wherein would there be any
substantial differerce7 In the one cas-,
you say to a Catholic: You shall not be
lieve in Catholic doctrines in the othe
case you say to him: You shall not keel
up the organization of your church. Tn
Catholic believes in his Church as o self
governing spiritual kingdom as much as b.
believes any of her doctrines. In fact, h'
OSACNCo uoA ONcL
be as entirely of divine Communication q
are the truths which she teaches, and b
knows that without such authority her doc
trines would soon be scattered to the WIND
The dogma and authority of the Churc
go hand in hand. But persecution of mer
3 dogma has become unbelievable. 1t is til
fashion of this age to prosecute the az
th0rity of the Church. The Prussia
casuist says: We have nothing to do wit
> your belief. Religious faith is free belieJ
what you please. But we will 90 hamp'
and destroy the, authority of your HE
archy that you shall have hard work to fr
out what it teaches. YOu are welcome
your religion, if you can keepit without
Church.
4 After all it is a mere bubble. In attac
" ing the authority of the Church they attat
II also one Of her dogmatic truths. For C
r tholic is as much obliged to believe in Il
3, disciplinary power of the Church as be
10 in the doctrine of Purgatory or the Re
, Presence. The Catholic Church, hOwavs
y is in the habit of OUTLYING both vioIeu
Of and sopbistry.