John Ronge; The Holy Coat of Treves; New German-Catholic ChurchAnonymous
Religion
John Ronge; The Holy Coat of Treves; New German-Catholic Church
Anonymous
Dom (Trier, Germany); German Catholicism; Holy Coat
The ultra-Catholic party have expressed their opinions in two remarkable
documents,--the one, An Address from the Clergy of Treves, and the
other, from the Clergy of Breslau, with whom Ronge was connected, to
Bishop Arnoldi. A few sentences will show the spirit of each. In the
former it is stated, "that such scandalous Articles (as the publication
of Ronge) must produce among all Catholics in Germany the greatest
indignation, and shake to its foundation the peaceful relation of the
two confessions; and this all the more, as before the ceremony alluded
to, nothing had taken place to calumniate or asperse Protestant
Christians. When, however, such a publication, by its tone and contents,
alike unworthy of refutation, and calculated only to bring Catholics
into contempt, is allowed to appear, by permission of the German Union
or Prussia individually--this is a matter of deep sorrow to Catholics."
After noticing the Constitution of Germany, in reference to religious
matters, it proceeds,--"In so far as such calumnies are unattended
to, is the rightfully guaranteed position of the German Catholics
overthrown, and they are all the more called on to demand a guarantee,
as many late events have shown but too clearly, that a section of the
Protestants is disposed to maintain a hostile and intolerant position
towards the Catholic Church, We, the Chapter of the Cathedral,
accordingly pray that communications may be sent to his Majesty the
King, and the German confederate States, to support the existing laws in
opposition to what has taken place, to maintain the guaranteed rights of
the Catholic Church, and to request the interference of the law against
such abuses of the German press."
(Signed) "The Clergy of the City of Treves."
Nothing could be more artful or cowardly than this document, as if
the great settlement at the Reformation had been infringed by the open
expression of opinion on what has excited the disgust and ridicule of
all intelligent Catholics. It is not difficult to trace in the above
letter the very spirit which, in a former age, would have found no
obstruction in executing, after its own fashion, that law, to which now
they are obliged to make a respectful and almost degrading appeal. Most
fortunate is it that Ronge is the subject of a Protestant Government,
which has it now in its power so materially to advance the cause of the
Reformation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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