Decline of the Romish Church in Europe.
THE attentive observer of events transpiring in Europe cannot fail to note the rapid decline of the papal hierarchy. Within the past year it has been driven from the exercise of temporal power. It yields sullenly and defiantly to what it can not resist. The old man, who is now a prisoner in the Vatican, no longer sends teachers to France; the Concordat between himself and the late occupant of the Tuilleries was abrogated by the German victories at Sedan. Spain, the most fanatical of all Roman Catholic countries, no longer turns to Rome with that deep regard and devotion which was her wont. The pontifical revenues have become lean where they were once fat. The most important departure was taken by Italy, when, in the face of anathemas, protests, and entreaties, the so-called vicar of Christ was made to yield obedience to the civil power. The German Jesuits, under the leadership of Dr. Dollinger, are making a vigorous fight against the dogma of infallibility. Only a few days ago, the cable brought us the intelligence that Austria was about to cast off the ecclesiastical yoke and emancipate herself from the bondage of a despotism which has been without an equal for fifteen hundred years. The Imperial parliament is now considering a measure in favor of the abolition of the Concordat of the Empire with the Church of Rome and investigating the practical consequences of the dogma of infallibility to the government and people. The provisions of this vicious and degrading document “gave to the pope the right of free and secret intercourse with all bishops and priests within the empire; it conferred upon him the power to appoint priests, vicars, and all ecclesiastical officers, to establish livings, and to supervise and control the whole theology of the people; it provided that no one should preach without his permission, and even placed the schools of the vast realm, with their books and teachers, absolutely in the hands of the infallible sinner of the Vatican. According to the Concordat, the church could acquire, but could not dispose of, property. All marriages were declared null and void if contracted outside of the Romish pale, and all children born under its ban were illegitimate. It was even provided that priests suspected of crime should be tried differently from the unconsecrate horde, and, if convicted, they were to be imprisoned—in a monastery!” Austria, sluggish, indifferent, and priest-ridden, as she is, has partially aroused herself to the shameful spoliation of her rights by the Romish Church. Wherever papal power exists it is constantly attempting to seize the functions of the State. It is our first duty to hold this power in check, to subdue it and compel it to conform to the civil authority. The insolent papal flag must never be permitted to float over a free nation. —Lafayette Weekly Courier.