New-York tribune., 1876-12-30
TILE RELIGIOUS WORLD.
LEADING EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

The year 1876 was in the religious world
marked mOrc by the carrying forward OF old measures TO
their final results than by the inception Of new policies
In Italy the scquesraton OF church property by the
State has continued. royal commission was appointed
July l. to inquire into ecco8asucal expenditures with
yie,, % their ,ricier regulation. law with re-
gard to religious PROFESSIONS places them under Gov
ernment control. The Italian Ministry, which is more
radical than any that has preceded H. has given notice OF
bills to be brought forward which, II accepted by the
legislative chambers viii intensity the coufict between
the Church and the State. One Of these proposes TO
punIsh by line and mprison any minister OF religion
who shall disturb the public conscience tho peace Of
families, whO by any public discourse, shall outrage
the laws or institutions OF the sate On the other hand,
the Pope has received during tho year deputa-
tons from all parts OF Europe bringing MN
assurances OF the devotion OF the faithful TO
his interests Vatican exposition Of objects
Of art has been resolved upon IN commemoraton OF
the completion Of the 50th year OF his episcOpate. IL
will open in May, 1877 The conflict between the
Prussan bishops and the Government has been "a bitter
In 1876 as during the preceding years Eight sees are
now vacated Early In the year Cardinal Ledochowsh
was released from prison. and Immediately lett the king
dom The Archbishop of Cologne has been expelled; she
bishops OF Minister aud Lmburg have both fed To escape
mprisOnment the former being charged with embczzle-
ment for taking with him dioscesan funds. The May
aws as they called, have been enforced with
fnching severity. IN March last an order issued by
Dr. Fak, Minister OF Public Worship forbidding the
giving Of religious instruction In the public schools by
Catholic priests unless first provided with Government
certificates OF qualification The prestS OF these doccses
have protested against Its operation The third annual
synod OF tho German Old Catholics held at Bonn in
the Summer; $4,000 members and adherents
ported Te synod declined to act upon the question Of
the compulsory cebaoy OF tho clergy. An Old Catholic
Congress vas held Sept % but attracted sueh aten
tlon as did that OF 1870. The French Assembly has
shown dspostou 10 recall tho privilege conceded 20
the Free UniyersLies- all so far Roman Catholc-of
granting acadelnlcal degrees H. Waddingtons motion
for the repeal Of that feature Of the law OF 1873 passed
the Assembly hut was defeated In the Senate. The
struggle between rhe clerical and the radical parties
been more pronounced In the present House OF
Deputies than In its predecessor. A supposed
concession 20 the Church party In the withholding
OF the usual military escort mt the funerals
OF members OF the Legion OF Honor who were buried
without religious services has recently led 10 the
throw Of The ministry. on the occasion Of motion 10
suppress the Budget Of Public Worship, fierce atack
was made by Prince Napoleon upon tho clergy Of the
Church Both In Italy and In France the hostility Of the
radical party the clergy r. apparent In the egs
atures OF 1878 Than in those OF 1875. Tho Christian
Catholic Church Of Switzerland" perfected its orgnizs
ton By the conservation of Bishop HerzOe at Rhenfol
den on Sept Is synod held ON June this Church
declared Us acceptance OF The ereeds formulated py me