ANTI-MODERNISM

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1039, 31 January 1911, Page 5

ANTI-MODERNISM

MUST PROFESSORS TAKE THE OATH THE POPE'S VIEWS. GREAT OUTBURST IN GERMANY. Br Tclecraph—l'rcjs Association-Copyright (Rec. January 30, 11.13 p.m.) Berlin, January 30. The Prussian Government recently required the exemption of professors of Catholic theology in Prussian Universities from the anti-modernist oath, arguing that they were Prussian officials and that the onth would deprivo them o£ their independence as teachers. It was officially understood that tho Vatican had yielded, but the Pope's letter to tho Archbishop of Cologne, which has now been published, expresses the conviction that while professors not holding church beneficies aro exempted, they, rather than bow before men inspired with hate against the Catholic faith, should bo tho first to take the oath in order to show their independence. The letter has caused a great outburst in the press. Even the "Kreuz Zcitung" accuses tho _ rope of intentionally provoking a conflict with the Prussian Government.

POSITION OF PROFESSORS.

For several weeks past (writes the Rome correspondent of the London "Tablet" on December 4) tho AntiModernist Oath has,been administered to the various Chapters of Canons, Professors of Universities, officials of congregations, etc., and by 'the close of tho present year (1910) it will havo been taken by everybody in tho Roman dioceso to whom it applies. Tho same may probably be said of every part of the worldexcept certain .parts of Germany, and perhaps of Austria, in the caso of profes.For a decision was asked from Rome recentlv as to whether tho obligation of taking tho oath applied to all educational institutes containing faculties of sacred science, or only to thoso which are nnder the jurisdiction of tho bishops, and a reply has been given that tho obligation is restricted to tho latter. Most Of the universities in Bavaria, etc., although having chairs of Catholic Theology, Philosophy, and Canon Law, are Government institutions, and tho professors of them are oua tales, Government functionaries, and therefore not bound to take tho oath.