A severe ecclesiastical struggle has begun in Hungary. Dr. Wekerle,
the Premier, is pledged to allow civil marriage to be legal, and the Bishops are issuing manifestoes against the innovation. They not only declare civil marriage con- trary to God's law, which, of course, they are bound to do, but call upon all electors to compel their representatives to vote against the proposed law. Bishop Zalka, in particular, declares that the Government is "infringing Catholic dogma," which is, of course, untrue, those who infringe it being only the Catholics who are content with civil marriage. According to the Times' correspondent, the representative House of Hungary will treat the prelates with perfect respect and perfect inattention but they will have more influence in the House of Magnates through the great ladies who heartily agree with the Bishops. It is needless to say that in nearly all Catholic countries civil marriage is legally valid, and that in many—France, for in- stance—it is the only legal form, the religious ceremony being regarded only as a profession of faith.
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