Rome in Austria

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1914

FROM the Religious Telescope of Sept. 2, 1914, we clip the following:—

An interesting side light on the waning power of Roman Catholic intolerance is seen in a recent occurrence in Austria. An Austrian citizen, named Boruska, stood by the wayside while a religious cortège, headed by a priest bearing the Eucharist, passed by. Boruska did not kneel nor remove his hat, even after being reproved by the priest, whereupon he was taken by the priest before a magistrate and charged with irreverence and lack of conformity to the state religion. He was adjudged guilty and sentenced to prison. Appeal to the higher court of Vienna secured his release, on the ground that, as a Protestant, he could not be compelled to observe religious customs contrary to his conscience and will. It is said that some American soldiers in the Philippines have been compelled to attend mass, irrespective of religious belief. Our readers are at liberty to make their own comment.