2. The ecclesiastico‐political system which the parties opposed to the church are endeavoring to carry out stands in irreconcilable and open contradiction to the constitution of the Catholic Church, founded by Almighty God, sanctified through all centuries, recognized by the state, and guaranteed by the law of nations. 3. The power of the office of teacher, priest, and pastor, given by the Pope to the bishops, cannot be suspended or limited by any law of the state. 4. Church and state are ordained by Almighty God to harmonious co‐ operation. Their separation is to be lamented. If the hostility with which the modern state treats the church should make such a separation necessary, it will be more to the disadvantage of the state than to the church. V. _Regarding Liberty of Conscience._ 1. No state power has the right to impose obligations upon its subjects which are in opposition to the commandments of God, the decrees of Jesus Christ, and the precepts of the church. 2. The apostolic courage with which the Catholic bishops, not fearing temporal loss, not even imprisonment and exile, defend the rights of God and of his holy church, as also the inalienable rights of Catholic conscience, and the priestly fidelity and firmness with which the Catholic clergy, not led astray by illusions and threats, remain true to the episcopate and the church, deserve the admiration and respect of all Catholics and of every right thinking man. 3. The measures used against the bishops and priests of the Catholic Church do not succeed in their object; they grieve most deeply the Catholic people, but they cannot be persuaded to exchange a church founded by Almighty God for one founded by the state. In vain are all the experiments used to separate Catholics from their rightful superior. 4. The Catholics of Germany recognize always the legitimately‐ elected Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the head of their religion and church. In him they revere the infallible teacher of faith, the high‐priest and the supreme watchman of Christianity. No power can separate the Catholics of Germany from the chair of S. Peter. 5. The only prelates of the German bishoprics are those bishops who are legitimately appointed by the Pope according to canon law. Catholics obey and reverence these bishops, be they in prison or in exile. 6. The Catholics of Germany recognize as pastors only those who are appointed by the Pope and legitimate bishops. With unshaken determination they repel every attempt to induce them to revolt against Catholic authority. VI. _Regarding the Mission of the Catholic Union in Germany_.