The German Government appears to have thrown down the gauntlet
to the Catholic Episcopate. By a decree published on 22nd May, it has informed the Bishop of Ermeland that he mast not only cancel his excommunication of the two " Old-Catholic " Professors, for rejecting the new dogma ; but must officially by public proclamation announce his retractation, and pledge himself for the future to entire obedience to the State. Should he refuse, the State connection with the Catholic Church in his diocese will be considered to have ceased, and measures will be taken in accordance with that new position. As excommunication is a spiritual act, it seems impossible that the Bishop should obey ; and if he does not, the German Government cannot now recede. It must disestablish and disendow the Catholic Church in that diocese at least, leaving it in the position of the Church in Ireland. At present it partly pays the Bishop, partly pays the priests, enforces the collection of Catholic Church-rates, compels Catholic children to attend Catholic schools, and in fact recognises and helps to enforce Catholic discipline.
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