The text of the third law passed by the Prussian
Parliament against Catholic ecclesiastics has been published, and is sufficiently radical. It is intended, as our readers know, that if a Bishop will not obey he shall be exiled, and as the Chapter are not likely to elect another, it is provided that the penalties applicable to any Bishop shall be applicable to any Vicar-General acting for him who does not take the oath, and that on his exile a Commissary shall be appointed, who will take charge of all the property of the see, general, local, or to be hereafter destined for ecclesiastical purposes, and be responsible only to the Governor-General. Daring the period of such interregnum, vacancies in the parishes can be filled up by the patrons, whose nominees, however, must take the oath, and failing their action, the congregations may elect. No provision is made for appointment if both patron and congregation refuse, and in, that case the living apparently will be left vacant. The effect of this is, off course, expected to be the gradual election of priests not in- communion with Rome, as the congregations will not go without, the offices, but we suspect the exptetation will be disappointed_ Priests secretly approved by their superiors will be elected, and allowed to take the oath, as under compulsion ; or the war will be- carried on as in England under Elizabeth, the priests risking- their liberties, as they risked their lives. Catholic priests, unlike- their silly imitators, are independent of robes, buildings, or any- paraphernalia whatever, in the performance of their functions.
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