The Archbishop of Posen, the Bishop of Fulda, and the
Bishop of Paderborn have intimated to the Prussian authorities that they will not submit the programme of ecclesiastical instruc- tion in their seminaries for the approval of the Prussian State, upon which the Prussian Government has intimated that no one studying at these seminaries will be eligible for a Prussian benefice. So long as that means only benefices the emoluments of which are paid by the State, we have nothing to object. When Church and State quarrel, the State cannot be expected to furnish the Church with the means of teaching what it disapproves. But the law goes a great deal further, and claims the right to hinder all such students from teaching, or celebrating mass for, any Catholic Church whatever, whether supported by voluntary contributions or otherwise. That is sheer tyranny, against which the Church is quite right to protest. But will the State insist? It is odd that at the same time that this announcement is made, a State inspector is sent to the Paderborn seminary in spite of the blunt refusal to consult the wishes of the Government. Does not the State really desire an excuse for giving way ?
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