Munich.

We protest against every attempt to oust the bishops from Congress at i the immediate and independent control of the separate Churches. We repudiate, as in conflict with the Tridentine Canon, according to which there exists a God-appointed hierarchy of bishops, priests, and deacons, the doctrine. embodied in the Vatican doctrine, that the Pope is the sole God-appointed depository of all ecclesiastical authority and power. We recognise the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as it was acknowledged, on authority of Scripture, by Fathers and Councils in the old undivided Christian Church.

'(a.) We declare that articles of belief cannot be defined merely by the utterance of the Pope for the time being, and the express or tacit assent of the bishops, bound as they are by oath to unqualified obedience to the Pope; but only in accordance with Holy Scripture and the old tradition of the Church, as it is set forth in the recognised Fathers and Councils. Moreover, a council which was not, as the Vatican Council was, deficient in the actual external conditions of cecumenicity, but which, in the general sentiment of its members, exhibited a disregard of the fundamental principles and of the past history of the Church, could not issue decrees binding upon the consciences of the members of the Church.

(b.) We lay stress upon this principle, that the conformity of the doctrinal decisions of a council, with the primitive and traditional creed of the Church, must be determined by the consciousness of belief of the Catholic people, and by theological science. We maintain for the Catholic laity and the clergy, as well as for theological science, the right of testifying and of objecting on the occasion of establishing articles of belief.

3. We aim at a reform in the Church in co-operation

Munich.

Congress at with the sciences of theology and canon law, which shall, in the spirit of the ancient Church, remove the present defects and abuses, and in particular shall fulfil the legitimate desires of the Catholic people for a constitutionally regulated participation in Church business, whereby, without risk to doctrinal unity or doctrine, national considerations and needs may be taken account of.

'We declare that the charge of Jansenism against the Church of Utrecht is unfounded, and that consequently no opposition in dogma exists between it and us.

'We hope for a re-union with the Greco-oriental and Russian Church, the separation of which had no sufficient origin, and depends upon no insuperable difference in dogma.

'Whilst pursuing the desired reforms in the path of science and a progressive Christian culture, we hope gradually to bring about a good understanding with the Protestant and Episcopal Churches.

4. We hold scientific study indispensable for the training of the clergy.

'We consider that the artificial seclusion of the clergy from the intellectual culture of the present century (as in the seminaries and higher schools under the sole conduct of the bishops) is dangerous, from the great influence which the clergy possess over the culture of the people, and that it is altogether unsuited to give the clergy such an education and training as shall combine piety and morality, intellectual culture and patriotic feeling.

'We claim for the lower order of clergy a suitable position of consideration, protected against all hierarchical tyranny. We protest against the arbitrary removal of secular priests, amovibilitas ad nutum, a practice intro

duced through the French Code, and latterly imposed Congress at everywhere.

5. We support the constitutions of our countries, which secure us civil freedom and culture. Therefore we repudiate on national and historical grounds the dangerous dogma of Papal supremacy; and promise to stand faithfully and resolutely by our respective Governments in the struggle against that Ultramontanism which assumes the form of dogma in the Syllabus.

6. Since manifestly the present miserable confusion in the Church has been occasioned by the society called that of Jesus; since this order abuses its influence to spread and cherish among the hierarchy, clergy, and people, tendencies hostile to culture, dangerous to the State and to the nation; since it teaches and encourages a false and corrupting morality: we declare it as our conviction that peace and prosperity, unity in the Church, and just relations between her and civil society, will only be possible when the pernicious activity of this order is put an end to.

'7. As members of the Catholic Church, to which—not yet altered by the Vatican decrees- Government had guaranteed political recognition and public protection, we maintain our claims to all the real property and legal rights of the Church.'

Munich.

German

bishops oath
to the
Pope.

VII.

GERMAN BISHOPS' OATH TO THE POPE.

Translated from Count Enzenberg's Pamphlet, p. 10.

I, N.N., appointed to the Church at N.N., will be always faithful and obedient to the Holy Apostle Peter, and to the Holy Roman Church, and to our Lord the Pope, N.N., and to his canonically appointed successors.

I will not, by counsel, approval, or act, be a party to any. act or proceeding, whereby under any pretence whatever he or they may be exposed to loss of life or limb, or thrown into imprisonment, or may be exposed to violence or injuries. Any design which they communicate to me in form, or through a legate, or by letter, I will never intentionally disclose to anyone to their disadvantage.

I will also help them to maintain the Roman Popedom and the temporal power of St. Peter, and without prejudice to my order will protect them against all assailants.

Any legate of the Apostolic See I will treat with honour both on his coming and going, and will supply his wants.

I will be careful to maintain, to champion, to extend, and to increase the rights, honours, privileges, and powers of the Holy Roman Church of our Lord the Pope and his

successors.

I will not enter upon any design, action, or undertaking, whereby our said Lord in the said Roman Church may in any way suffer disadvantage, or be exposed to encroachment in person, rights, honour, rank, and power.

bishops' oath

Pope.

And if I shall become aware that any such designs are German being entered upon or carried out by anyone, I will prevent to the them to the utmost of my ability; and as quickly as I can I will communicate the facts to my Lord, or to some one else through whom he may be made acquainted with them.

The injunctions of the Holy Fathers, the Apostolic decrees, decisions, or regulations, reservations, grants, and orders, I will observe to the utmost of my ability, and have observed by others.

Heretics, schismatics, and opponents of the same my Lord and his successors, I will to the utmost of my power pursue and combat.

I will attend a council when summoned, unless I am prevented by some legal impediment.

The Steps of the Apostles (at Rome) I will visit in person every three years, and give account to our Lord and his successors of my pastoral function, and of everything which concerns the condition of my Church, the discipline of the clergy and people, and the salvation of souls intrusted to me, and will on the other hand humbly accept the apostolic orders, and carry them out with the greatest care.

[Here follow some words about sending a representative in certain cases of inability to go to Rome.]

The possessions belonging to my See I will not sell nor give away, nor mortgage, nor lend, nor otherwise alienate, without the approval of the Pope at Rome, even though the chapter of my Church is satisfied at my doing so.

And if I allow myself to be induced to make any alienation, I declare that I ipso facto incur the penalties provided in such cases.