DECAY OF OLD CATHOLICISM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 23

DECAY OF OLD CATHOLICISM.

Old Catholicism dies hard, because it still enjoys not merely the countenance, but also the material support of the most powerfal Government of the Continent. Let once this support be withdrawn from it, and it will come down like a stick. In the meantime, it is worth noting that the very men who hailed the first appearance of the sect with unbounded joy fourteen years ago, are beginning to feel heartily ashamed of their protege, not so much becanse they have any particular affection for the Catholic Church, but because having encouraged the eecession of a small and contemptible set from the Catholic Church, they now behold a " dissolving view " in their own body which is very much opposed, indeed, to their interests. We are specking, of course, of the parsons of the Lutheran Church. These people held a conference ad Eisenach last week, and passed certain resolutions, in which Old Catholicism is branded as a plague. Let us but quote one of these resolutions, which is rather prospective than retrospective : " When new sects are formed and apply to the Government for the privilege of being treated as corporate religious bodies, we hold that no such privilege should be granted them, except they prove that their formation answers a public requirement, and that they are not likely to create a factitious discord in existing religious bodies."

The Lutheran parsons, or parochial lords (Pfarrherreii), as they are called in German, are sadly afraid of the consequences of their own acts. They see new sects forming all around them, out of their own flesh as it were, while Old Catholicism, which is accurately described in their resolution, is vanishing away, and will not give the Catholic Church half a 9 much trouble in future as the many little Bethels that are springing up in Germany are giving to those who fondly hoped that Dollinger would smash up the Church of Rome. — London Universe.