The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-08-20
Penal Laws in ItalY.

It seems as though the hand of Bismarck
can be discerned in the bill proposed in the
Italian Parliament for the persecution of the
Catholic clergy. Tho Falck laws are not
exactly reproduced, but the same insolent
spirit of usurpation on the part of the State
pervades the whole concoction. 1t is simply
declaration by the civil government that
it is supreme in spiritual matters, that to it
belongs intimate jurisdiction in all ques-
tions of faith and morals.
In another column we give the text of
this impious bill, one which if enforc as a
law will assuredly call down divine retribu-
ton on the sacrilegious government that
creates it. In all civilized governments, the
first quality of all penal laws is expected to
be clearness and certainty in defining the
crime, 80 that man may easily know when
and wherein he is offending. Yet, see the
very first article of the penal list here made
out. 1t Furnishes ''any minister of religion
who shall disturb the public con-
science or the peace of families" It would
puzzle any American District Attorney to
guess even approximately at the extent of
this definition, but it would not require q
very ingenious one to bring within it's range
almost any priesty or ministerial act what
ever. Any proceeding, whether by word,
act or example, that would tend to edify
and Christianize one member of family,
would, in the same proportion, tend to Of
| fend and enrage an atheistical member, if
there should be one of the same family, and
thereby disturb it's peace. Thus the preach
inn foo nf of
Christianity could be objected to and pun
ished if we concede to the State any con-
troll over the spiritual affairs of it's citizens.
! The second article provides that any
minister, etc, who shall in any way pub
| licly ceEsure the institutions or laws of
the State, Roya! decree, or any other act
of the public authority, shall be punished"
etc. What complete gag law No right
to censure ary act of the public authority !!
Can absolute despotism go further in it's
contempt for individual liberties and popu-
lar rights,-in the assertion Of infallible cor
rectness on its own part II
And in what clearer language can gov
ernment put forward the claim that ale
glance to it is of higher grade than allie
glance to God If the law permits moral
wrong, such as polyg0my, the minister of
God must not suggest it's immortality it
the king dccrees that there is no God, the
Christian priest must admit it or be cast
into prison.
Art. provides punishment for acts of ex-
ternal worship contrary to government regu-
lations. Now, there are certain acts of
external worship that are absolutely essen
tial to the existence of the Church. Yet, if
the State sees fit to object to these, the
Church must yield and go out of existence.
OF course, this is a clear declaration of war
upon the Catholic Church. In all ages,
however, blind potentates of the earth have
warred upon the meek and unarmed Spouse
of Christ. They have all failed, down to
Bismarck, and Victor Emmanuel will be
but another bubble on the fermenting mass
of royal ambition and wickedness.
Most tragic actors, however anxious to
| make a RanRRfiOn- Ynnld rathar Tho