The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-09
BIsmarckianism Unadorned.

state supremacy In spiritual matters, Oub no
must begin to look out for bis laurels. His
invention has been greatly improved and
most logically developed in 40 remote and
unknown quarter as one of the little South
American Republics bordering on the Ca
ribbean Sea. Venezuela, not, indeed, very
noted for commercial importance. nor re-
nowned for feats of arms, nor distinguished
among the nations for any peculiar excel:
lence or Importance, has at least and at last
entered upon the field of glorious renown in
her intrepid emulation of Bismarck in his
own special game.
The Prussian Chancellor, with all his govt
and grimness, never went beyond tying up
the Church, hand and foot; gallant little
Venesuela leaps at once to the logical ex-
treme of his reasoning and abolishes the
Church altogether. In another column, our
readers will find an article entitled " Reli
gious Liberty in Venezuela" in which is
embodied q recent decree of that State on
the subject of religions. The decree con-
sists of ten articles which, though not edi-
flying reading, can be recommended as very
curious.
The first one emphatically establishes
religious liberty. Before the reader goes
on let him ask what he understands by that.
Having done so, he will probably be a little
startled to find, in finishing Art. ], that this
liberty is coupled with a proviso, viz: that
it does not offend morality" At once the
question arises: Who is to be the judge of
morality f-the State or the Church. If the
State, then one-half the acknowledged
province of the Church is gone, and the
State is, to that extent, the Church.
Art. 3 gives another CLEAN of light on
what-is meant by Religious Liberty" in
Yenesuela. "Religion is Free" Certainly,
but the State "may prevent the entrance
of the ministers of any denomination" Go
ahead with your religion, good people. No
objection to it, but don't attempt to have
any priests or ministers without the Govern
ment's stamp on them. This right of ad-
hitting or rejecting ministers of religions lie
vested in the President. Ignorant people,
who don't know that "Religious Freedom"
is guaranteed in Venezuela, would hereupon
suppose that the President was absolute
head of the Church.
Art. 4. Even the President shall not ad-
of people are recognized as Incompatible"
with the independence and sovereignty of
the country. The fact that they exist in all
other couutries-even Turkey and China
without detriment to their independence,
has no bearing in Venezuela. The climate
there has q fearful effect on Bishops and
Archbishops. Now, in Prussia, they are
not considered at all dangerous, provided
they stay in Jail.
Arts. and give an exalted Venezuelan
estimate of free religion. They think
there that it ought to be free as air, that is,
that it should literally stay out of doors
The congregations shall not acquire any
real estate. They may therefore meet in
| the street, or in private houses, If citizens
will lend or hire them. Then this stuck
up, aristocratic idea Of writing out things
Of o religious import is totally annihilated
No bills, no edicts, no briefs, no pastorsls
are allowed. list. Paul had lived under 6
government like that of Venezuela, he
would have had hard time with his Epis
ties. Plain talk is the thing among the
Caribbeans.
Art. 2 comes in just here, however, tc
prevent any little Misrepresentation In The
matter of talk. Let people be as religion
as they please, provided they don't DISAGREE
in their ideas with the Government. The!
must not " critiGise the laws or othe
s workings of the Government as being con
=, trary to religion. That is, the Governmen
3 is infallible in it's dealing with religion
subjects. 1t is beyond criticism. The feel
SIof z
c faith is now occupied. The State, then,
clearly and avowedly the Church. 1t
. supreme in faith and morals. Its action mus
e not be criticised as contrary to religion, an
n it will punish any religious ideas of mora
/. ity contrary to it's own. If it says that thel
N are nine sacr aments, nine let it be, or on
t. one if that seem better to the Legislature
is If the Government defines that there is I