John Ronge: The Holy Coat Of Treves Part 6

THE LETTER TO THE BISHOP OP TREVES, AND THE CHAPTER OF BRESLAU.

The hope of ultimate emanc.i.p.ation from the yoke of Rome, to which I now look forward with confident a.s.surance, was excited by the slaves and blinded servants of the Roman Hierarchy and of the Jesuits, on seeing the extremes to which they carried their mockery of religion and trial of the patience of the German people.

A Tunic, of which they cannot even prove that it really was the tunic of Jesus Christ, is exhibited by these Baal-priests of avarice and greed, for public adoration; and the credulous mult.i.tude are not only allowed to offer homage to this garment, but are taught to hail it in these words:--"Holy garment, pray for us!" "Holy garment, I bow down before thee," &c. For such mockery of religion, such frenzy, a.s.sumed as piety, at the bidding of the Church, language is inadequate to the expression of our indignation; and my letter to Bishop Arnoldi, condemned as all too strong, is childlike in comparison of the sacrilegious offence committed by the Church upon religion and the human understanding.

It was, therefore, with unfeigned surprise that, in the beginning of November, after leaving Laurahutte (where a public school had been erected, and furnished, in the month of August, with two teachers) I received two written communications from the Chapter at Breslau, calling on me to retract what I had written, as offensive to that reverend body.

I was less surprised when, after my refusal, I received the Decree of Excommunication.

I wondered less that Dr. Ritter should demand a recantation of my article--"Rome and the Chapter of Breslau," it being far less dangerous to him to place a lie upon the altar, in regard to circ.u.mstances which _immediately after_ Silesia alone, as the carrying out of his designs were likely, therefore, to attract but limited observation. But that an entire Chapter should venture, in the face of Europe, and even of the world, to countenance such undisguised abuse as that of the _adorable relic_ at Treves--such an unheard-of money-trafficking in the most sacred matters--such an insane mockery of reason and the Gospel, was not only ecclesiastically impolitic, but revolting to all Christendom.*

* DECREE OF EXCOMMUNICATION, &C.

"Breslau, Oct. 29th 1844.

"On the 30th of January of last year, the sentence of the Canonical Council was forwarded to you, whereby, in consequence of your failing satisfactorily to disprove the authors.h.i.+p of the Article 'Rome and the Chapter of Breslau,'

and conducting yourself otherwise in a manner unbecoming a Catholic clergyman, you were deposed from the Curacy of Grottkau, and, having been interdicted from the performance of spiritual functions, were charged to submit yourself _ad exercitia spiritualia_ in the Seminary here, under the orders of the Superior, and await the farther pleasure of the Council. You have hitherto paid no attention to this judgment, especially in regard to its later requirements, but have obstinately persisted in disobedience to your superiors.

"There has lately appeared in No. 164 of the Vaterlands- blatter, another Article, dated Laurahutte, Oct. 1st, and bearing your signature, in regard to the exhibition of the Holy Tunic of Jesus Christ at Treves--an Article most offensive to all orthodox Catholics, and calculated seriously to injure the character of one of the most worthy bishops of the Catholic Church, and which, besides, contains an invitation to rebellion against all existing and universally recognized principles in the government of the said Church.

"This calls for the strictest investigation, and excites well-deserved suspicion,--I therefore require of you, seeing that you subscribe yourself 'A Catholic Priest,' and call yourself a member of the Catholic Church in this diocese, to declare _within fourteen days_,

"1st, Whether you acknowledge yourself the author of the above named Article;

"2d, Whether, in case you do, you are inclined to atone for your offence, and the grief occasioned to the most reverend Bishop Arnoldi of Treves, by a solemn retractation in the same paper, and in other much-read Journals, to be named by me;

"3d, Should you have had no part in the drawing out or despatching of said Article, and should your signature and address have been used without authority,--are you willing and able to prove it, and to free yourself from the suspicion which rests upon you, and in consequence of which you are hereby enjoined to present yourself without delay!

"If the required explanation be not furnished within the time specified, and should you not show yourself ready to satisfy the questions put, I am reluctantly compelled, in addition to the Decree of Suspension, which has already been put in force, hereby to suspend over you the ecclesiastical punishment of degradation and excommunication."

"--Latussrk, Suffragan Bishop and Vicar-General of the Diocese."

"To the late Curate Ronge, at Laurahutte."

"To the Right Reverend the Suffragan Bishop and-Vicar-General of the Diocese.

"On the 18th and 19th of this month I received two letters of identical import; one addressed to me as a 'Catholic Priest,' the other as 'the late Curate,' in which I am required, before the lapse of fourteen days, to answer questions upon various points. To this requisition I reply in the following terms:--

"As to the Article 'Rome and the Chapter of Breslau,' your Lords.h.i.+p observes, that I did not satisfactorily vindicate my conduct in regard to it. My reply to the inquisitorial queries of Dr. Ritter, must have been misunderstood, if it was considered in the light of a vindication.

I have never endeavoured to vindicate myself in regard to that Article, nor have I ever denied its authors.h.i.+p;--but, on the other hand, I have never recognized the authority of Dr. Ritter, and the members of the right reverend Board, as at once my judges and my accusers in the matter. The inquisitorial questions which were then put to me, and the decision of the right reverend Board, by which, without citation, hearing, or defence, (accorded to the lowest criminal,) I was deposed, and condemned to dishonouring punishment in the Seminary, are, besides, an insult to the rights of the whole body of the inferior clergy. Shall not the lower clergy (like their fellow-citizens,) have the right to express an opinion opposed to that of their superiors, without perilling their existence? Are the truths of our religion so powerless, as to render necessary compulsion and coercion? Did Jesus found our Church upon such principles! Or, are the higher clergy the sole and infallible pillars of the truth?

"The a.s.sertion, that I endeavoured to save my living by a falsehood,--by which it was attempted to bring upon me the contempt of my fellow-believers and fellow-citizens, I have practically disproved--having relinquished my office in the face of beggary and want--although I might easily have escaped Suspension by submission.

Honour, truth, and justice, are of higher value in my eyes than the crumb of bread that nourishes my body.

"I acknowledged to Bishop Knauer, my lawful superior, that I am the author of the Article alluded to; upon which his Grace asked me,--< but="" why="" did="" you="" thus="" court="">< because,'="" i="" said,'="" i="" considered="" it="" a="" duty="" to="" give="" public="" expression="" to="" the="" universal="" discontent="" prevailing="" in="" the="" diocese,="" on="" account="" of="" the="" delay="" of="" rome.'="" besides,="" 1="" shall="" not="" hesitate="" to="" vindicate="" my="" conduct="" in="" the="" eyes="" of="" my="" fellow-believers="" and="" my="">

"It is farther a.s.serted by your Lords.h.i.+p, that I conducted myself in Grottkau in an unbecoming manner. The offences included in this charge have been sufficiently refuted, as calumnious and false, by the magistrates and citizens of Grottkau; and I shall claim the protection of the State and of the public against such accusations. Or have our spiritual rulers, perhaps, the arbitrary privilege to blast my reputation at discretion?

"As to the Article in regard to the exhibition of the so-called Holy Tunic at Treves, my name was plainly and distinctly affixed to it, and there has been no misuse in the matter. I only spoke the truth, and shall continue to do so without fear of men. I shall not hesitate to denounce abuses? even when they seek to hide themselves behind the altars of a thousand years. I have but done my duty in lending words to the almost universal indignation of my countrymen at the adoration of a piece of dress. It is truly marvellous that a high ecclesiastical authority should endeavour to defend so shameless an abuse. Is the abuse less blameable, because consecrated by a Bishop? What would have been said, had inferior members of the priesthood, or other Christians, sought to win fifty thousand dollars by the exhibition of that Holy Tunic 1 Did Christ, or the Apostles, do such things? Christ fed those who came to him--but did not rob them of their money; and He indignantly exclaimed in the Temple--'My father's house is a house of prayer--ye have made it a den of thieves.'

"I have spoken the truth, and shall never retract it, as is required of me. If, on this account, your Lords.h.i.+p should consider it your duty to degrade and excommunicate me--let it be so. I, for my part, am firmly convinced that the exalted Head of our religion numbers me among his disciples, notwithstanding; and I feel a.s.sured that my fellow-believers and my fellow-citizens will not exclude me from communion with them. For millions of men have heard my simple word, and they have gladly received it because convinced that it proceeded from an honest heart. Millions have loved me on account of it, and their love has not allowed itself to be deceived by the disgusting calumnies of embittered opponents. Their love will still support me. I can give no other reply.--I am, my Lord Bishop,

"Johannes Ronge, Catholic Priest.

"Breslau, November 30, 1844."

"Breslau, 4th Dec. 1844.

"In consequence of your reply, dated November 30, and received on the first day of this month, wherein you admit that you subscribed the Article 'On the Holy Tunic at Treves,' acknowledge it as your own composition, and refuse to recall it,--I find myself reduced to the highly painful necessity, in pursuance of my Decree of the 29th October, and on account of the gross offence against the Church, contained in the said Article, to issue the sentence of your degradation and excommunication, in accordance with, and by authority of, the canonical statutes and decrees.

"I therefore charge you to return to me, without delay, your letters of holy ordination. As you have not complied with my injunction to appear before me in person,* and have thereby deprived me of the wished-for opportunity of convincing you, by fatherly admonition and friendly conference, of your false and heterodox views generally, and, in particular, regarding the wors.h.i.+p of relics--as the adoration of the Holy Tunic,--I can only add to the sentence, which I most reluctantly p.r.o.nounce, my fervent prayer, that by G.o.d's grace you may be led to a right understanding of the Catholic faith, and to a discrimination of that wors.h.i.+p of relics, which is permitted and approved by the Church, from the abuse of it, of which alone you seem to think.--

"D. Latussek, Suffragan Bishop, and Vicar-General of the Diocese.

"To the late Curate, Rev. Johannes Ronge."

* My Lord Bishop only called me before him in case I should be inclined to retract, or, if I were not the author of the letter alluded to; otherwise, as is shewn by the doc.u.ment of the 29th of October, I was only called upon for an explanation. Why this perversion of the truth?'

THE CONCLUSION.

The history of my life is now before my countrymen, and they may judge between me and my opponents and traducers. I have given doc.u.mentary proof, that, on account of the Article ent.i.tled "Rome and the Chapter of Breslau," I have been deposed, and sentenced to disgraceful punishment, by the Board of Canons, without citation, hearing, or defence, which are accorded to the most ordinary criminal. I have further proved, that, on account of the well-known letter to the Bishop of Treves, I have been excommunicated by the same right reverend Board--that is to say, I have been placed without the pale of the Church, as an irreclaimable sinner.

As, however, I have conducted myself, in speech and action, in accordance with my calling and my duty as a teacher, as also in agreement with the Gospel; and have, in defiance of law and justice, by unrighteous and despotic fiats of the Romish Church, been deposed and excommunicated--I appeal to the justice of my countrymen against the Hierarchy and its slaves, and demand that the members of the Canonical Board at Breslau be forced to rescind their sentence. I do not prefer this accusation in my own behalf alone, but stand forth in vindication of the rights of the whole body of inferior clergy, which are trampled upon by their superiors--in vindication of the rights of congregations, which are trampled upon by the entire priesthood! Lastly, I stand forth for Christendom, and, in the name of all Christendom, arraign the Romish Hierarchy, which falsely calls itself the "Universal Church," _because it does not fulfil, but directly opposes the Gospel call--the call to promote the perfect reconciliation of the family of man._

The Romish Hierarchy has reduced the Gospel teaching to a system of usury, compulsion, and oppression, profanely--prost.i.tuted religion to a revolting Jesuitism,--and, instead of promoting the improvement and the reconciliation of mankind, maintains in all their bitterness the antipathies of nations, and, kindling civil war, (look to Switzerland and other countries!) debases human nature by hypocrisy and vice.

It is the Roman Church which has to rend so wide asunder the yawning gulf which separates the higher from the lower cla.s.ses, the ignorant from the educated, the poorer from the richer portions of all European nations; and it is she who is daily making that gulf still wider, by dint of Jesuitism and priestcraft. In order to escape from utter ruin, the overwhelming evil must be vigorously, resolutely met,--in compact phalanx. The nations--and above all the German nation--ought to call a free ecclesiastical convention, composed of laymen freely chosen, and of honest priests, to sweep away for ever all Jesuitism and priestcraft--to establish freedom of conscience on the ruins of hypocrisy--to purify religion, and to show the Church her actual calling, imposed upon her by the spirit of the times, and the exigencies of our people--namely, the reconcilement of the higher and the lower cla.s.ses of humanity--the reconcilement of the nations and the peoples of the earth, by improving and enn.o.bling them--by universal love and freedom. By our regard to our neighbour, we shew forth our love to G.o.d; for we are told by John, that "If a man say I love G.o.d, and hateth his brother, he is a liar."

Arise, then, men of Germany and of France; men of Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, arise! Men of Europe and America! let us unite with our governments in the n.o.ble enterprise! To the work, like men--the work of peace and freedom! The hour is come! let us break the yoke of faith and conscience--drag down lying priesthood and the Hierarchy--annihilate disdainful Jesuitism, insulting G.o.d and man--and usher in the glorious reign of truth, and light, and righteousness--of virtue, of freedom, and of love! Let us usher in the true reign of Christ upon the earth!

[This closes Ronge's Self-defence, which, in all probability, would never have seen the light, had it not been for the subsequent excitement caused by the affair of the Holy Coat. For however triumphant has been his exposure of the authorities with whom he has had to do, still such cases of arbitrary tyranny are far too common to excite more than a mere pa.s.sing, or, at best, local interest. It required such a fact as that of Treves first to awaken a general interest, and thereby to secure a proportionate degree of attention to the details of such a personal narrative as we have now given. People desired to know about the history of the man who had brought home to their hearts and experience the abuses of the system which had hitherto ruled them as with a rod of iron. But especially as charges the most base and unfounded had been directed against Ronge, with regard to the real cause of his suspension, it became his duty to lay the whole facts before the public, and manfully to appeal to their sentence against that of the Church authorities of Breslau. We have inserted this Justification before noticing the movements which have taken place in consequence of the first letter, which, instead of appearing as a doc.u.mentary part of the Justification, was inserted at a previous part of the narrative, and which gave its real personal and historical interest to his Self-defence.]

OPINIONS, ADDRESSES, &c. &c.

We must now return to the first letter, and notice the excitement created by it over the whole of Germany, Protestant and Catholic. The following appeared in the _Mannheim_ Journal:--"The greatest attention has been lately directed to the admirable and pithy statement of a Catholic priest concerning the Holy Coat. It is peculiarly the citizen-cla.s.s who have been electrified thereby. Not to have read it, (and it is impossible to escape the question)--is declared to be as bad as never having read anything. It is published in all the papers; and truly the spreading of truth and light in religious matters--and both it contains in rich measure--is not merely a matter of honour but of the heart!"

_Weimar_.--"There prevails here a complete frenzy to read the production of Ronge. A number of the citizens have caused it to be circulated _gratis_ among the poorer inhabitants. For a very long period no production has created more sensation in the world,--and it is beyond doubt that Ronge's name will ever be distinguished in the history of the world and of the Church."

_Westphalia_.--"The excitement which Ronge's letter has made among friend and foe becomes daily more conspicuous from the public press.

In Magdeburg the whole middle cla.s.s is against the ultra-montanist movement, and even the majority of the clergy,--as this movement throws all power into the hands of the bishops."

_West Prussia_.--"While the Jesuits are interdicting, by Church censures and prohibitions, the 'wandering Jew' of Eugene Sue, Ronge's letter is being circulated by the thousand."