The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-08-20
NEW LAWS AGAINST THE CUyRCH IN
ITALI

RoME, July 22.-The publication of the tex
of the new Bill sgainst the soc a!led abuse
Of the clergy has produced a profound sensa
tion of uneasiness among Catholics. 1t wa
prepared by the late Ministry, and Signor Wig
liani, the late Lord Chancellor, framed the se
veral clauses. He had enjoyed "A character TO
moderation, and was even accused Of beinI
over friendly to the priests, but this Bill, be
Ing his hanGywork, has convinced every on,
that the fallen Ministry was AZ hostile "a th,
| present to the Catholic Church. Sipnor Man
cini, who is the successor of Siguor Vigliani
made, it is said, little variation in the text OF
she Bill az it remained when it came from Sig.
nor ViSlianis hands. 1t cannot be expected
that the adherents of the late Ministry will
oppose in Parliament tho Bill which their own
Chancellor drew EV. There IL, therefore, lit.
tie hope of preventing the passing of this meu
sure, which is conceived in "a Thoroughly Bis.
narcSian spirit. II tie Bill passes, the Cath.
o:ic CLERGY in italy will do their duty and fol-
low the example set them by their brethren in
Germany. The clanscs of the Bill are SO vex-
atious that il is impossible bat that frequent
prosecutions will arise from IT, 1t would bo
extremely Gificait for "a conscient tious priest to
avoid offending the provisions of An Act which
claims 10 interfere with the minister's Office at
every stage OF his duty. Ho cannot preach
visit the sick, or celebrate Mass without a ner
vous feeling that the eyes of the police are
upon him, aud that he may be caught tripping
at any moment by the officer of the law or by
the private informer. Christians III Turkey |
have moro liberty Of worship than Catholics
in Italy will have whom once this Bill becomes
an ACT. The enactment of such measure
proves how completely the feeling of Catholics
In Italy is against tho present liberal despot-
ism. 1t seems felt that the recent order of
things cannot last very much longer 1t ia
besides believed that the German Chancellor
las urged the italian Government to this mode
If prosecuting the Church. Copies Of the pro
ected Bill, which presented to the Cham.
'er of Deputies 80 far back as MAY 23. wero
nly printed aud distributed to Deputies On
he 18th Of Jnne. The following is the text of {
he Bill =
Art l. Any minister Of roligion who, n5Dsiug :
he acts OF his ministry, shall disturb the public =
opsclence or the peace Of families 10 to be | }
unlshed with imprisonment ut not ex cecdinR wo
ears and not less than four months, and with n
hHo not exceeding ,OGO lire .
Art. .. Any minister Of religion who, in the
xercise OF his ministry, by discourse deIiy.raI u
r read in public meeting, or by writings other v
Use Published, shall expressly censure. or by t.
ther public act outrage the institutions or
~ We ~ Cne oLSte' noyAl Decree or any other
Ct OF the public authority, is to DO punished 81
18th imprisonment not exceeding three months IL
nd with fine not exceeding 1000 lire.
II the discourse, the writing, or the aot be b
Alculated to provoke disobedience to the laws | o.
the state or 10 the enActmen % of the public D
lthority. the offender is to be punished with a
nprisonment, not less than four mouths and
't exceeding two years, and with 6ne not ex 81
'eding 1000 lire. u
II the proVocation be followed by Resistance "
violence to the public authority, or by other 81
inc, the author of the provooation, when cc
Ch provocRtion does not constitute comDlicitv r,
the crime, is to be punished with the fui h
run OF two years imprisonment and with fine st
not lees than 1000 lire, and which may TO
creased 10 1900 lire. n,
These who publish or circulate the aforesaid cd
rltings or discourses, are to be punished with In
g same penalties. te
Art 3. Any ministers Of religion who shall
ercise acts of external worship, contrary TO il
. regoIanonS made by the Government, are -,
be punished with Imprisonment not exceed tn
3 three months, and with fine not exceeding yc
700 lire. lIt
Art. :. All contraventions of tho rules pre- a. a.
abed concerning the necessity of obtaining -
. consent OF the Government for the publics. se
20 or execution of announcements relative to m
igton, in the cases wherein such consent is S@a @
W required, are TO be punished by imprfson- =,
'ht' not exceeding six months, or by fine, not tb
ceeding 500 lire W W
Art. 5. Ministers of religion who shall com. pF
{ in the exercise of their ministry any other
ence, even by means of the Press, are 10 be er
nished with the ordinary penalty, Augm ented 50
q grade. in
In other cases of abuse contaminated in +bo a.
It portion of Article IL Of the law of Nav ia na
u n. SlS, the ministers of religion may be ril
1demned in civil courts to the payment Of Ia
70 the prosecution be promoted by the Pnblio
mister ss chief prosecutor, TO the payment Of tn
indemnity to the State not exceeding 2. 900 vi