The history of my life is now before my countrymen, and they may judge
between me and my opponents and traducers. I have given documentary
proof, that, on account of the Article entitled "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--prostituted 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 classes, 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 classes of humanity--the
reconcilement of the nations and the peoples of the earth, by improving
and ennobling them--by universal love and freedom. By our regard to our
neighbour, we shew forth our love to God; for we are told by John, that
"If a man say I love God, 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 noble 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 God 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 passing, 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 documentary 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-class 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 class 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."
_Kazbach_.--"John Ronge--a true German man--a true Christian minister,
has openly shewn that the spirit of Christ is not yet dead in the
Catholic Church of Silesia. His letter is quite invaluable. Each
community has treasured it as a true legacy to posterity, to preserve
Christianity from being perverted by the Hierarchy, and to shew that a
Silesian priest had courage thus openly to proclaim the truth. And has
not the whole of Germany welcomed the earnest words of the worthy man
with hearty joy! In a short space, they have travelled through every
German province, from the Oder to the Rhine. Thousands of Germans feel
inspired by his name, and declare him one of the most valiant combatants
against the dark powers of hierarchical tyranny."
_Ulm_.--"The Germans of the south are determined not to be behind their
brethren in other parts of Germany."
Such are ordinary specimens of the extracts with which the German
journals are filled, up to the present date. It is in truth impossible
to take up any journal, Catholic or Protestant, which does not contain
some announcement on the subject. Ronge's name is in every one's
lips--his portrait is to be found in every print-shop, along with
engravings, in all styles of art, of the Holy Coat. Addresses have
been poured upon him from all quarters, expressive of gratitude, and
sympathy, and admiration. Take the following specimen from the city of
_Dantzic_:--"Highly Honoured Sir,--when more than 300 years ago the monk
Luther declared war upon the Hierarchy, and introduced a new epoch into
the history of the world, it could not but be that the man who declared
'I cannot do otherwise,' should be opposed, declared heretic, and
persecuted. So shall it also be with you for your exposure of the
Spectacle of the Holy Coat; in that letter which, through the press, has
now been made the property of all. The enemies of the light shall not
cease to calumniate and persecute you. As, moreover, the hearts of all
lovers of the truth attached themselves to the monk Luther, and, as
to-day, millions thank him for the light which surrounds them, so does
the present generation with joy congratulate you, and future generations
will preserve your memory in their thankful hearts, as of a man who,
without human fear, declared the holy truth of God. Permit us, though
we live far from you, to express to you, in name of all friends of the
light, their most hearty thanks for the service which you have done by
your open and noble opposition to the hierarchical spectacle of Treves.
May the Almighty take you into his protection, and may his hand rest on
you and bless you.
"Dantzic, 16th November, 1844."
This Address, and many of a similar nature, have been signed by
Protestants and Catholics alike. Individual addresses also have been
sent, signed exclusively by Catholics, and others signed exclusively by
Protestants, as those from Leipsic and Berlin. Accounts from all parts
of Germany are of a similar nature; even Bohemia, where the voice
of Huss has long been silent, has come under the influence of the
excitement,--Ronge's letter having crossed the frontier, and been
circulated, no one could tell well how, by the thousand. It has now been
translated into several of the languages of Europe, and it cannot admit
of doubt, that on all hands the eyes of many are being opened by it, to
see the awful bondage in which they and their fathers have so long been
held.
While all this was going on, it was not to be expected that the Catholic
party should remain silent. Accordingly, they have been striving
_per fas et nefas_, to arrest the movement, by calumniations of the
author--by defences of their conduct--by appeals to the evils of the
Reformation, and occasional significant references to the "powers that
be" in the Vatican. It ought to be stated, that several of the Catholic
clergy, before the appearance of Ronge's letter, had denounced the
intended pilgrimage, manfully declaring, in opposition to all the
sayings and doings of Arnoldi, and even the Bull of Leo X., that this
was no matter of Catholic doctrine, and that it remained open for each
individual Catholic to treat the evidence for or against the genuineness
of the relic, as his private judgment and free inquiry might lead him.
From such quarters, the movement of Ronge could not well be opposed; and
it is striking, that wherever a priest has so expressed his opinion, but
few, indeed, of his people went to Treves. Whether many of this class
may join the movement remains to be seen, but it certainly seems highly
probable.
The ultra-Catholic party have expressed their opinions in two remarkable
documents,--the one, An Address from the Clergy of Treves, and the
other, from the Clergy of Breslau, with whom Ronge was connected, to
Bishop Arnoldi. A few sentences will show the spirit of each. In the
former it is stated, "that such scandalous Articles (as the publication
of Ronge) must produce among all Catholics in Germany the greatest
indignation, and shake to its foundation the peaceful relation of the
two confessions; and this all the more, as before the ceremony alluded
to, nothing had taken place to calumniate or asperse Protestant
Christians. When, however, such a publication, by its tone and contents,
alike unworthy of refutation, and calculated only to bring Catholics
into contempt, is allowed to appear, by permission of the German Union
or Prussia individually--this is a matter of deep sorrow to Catholics."
After noticing the Constitution of Germany, in reference to religious
matters, it proceeds,--"In so far as such calumnies are unattended
to, is the rightfully guaranteed position of the German Catholics
overthrown, and they are all the more called on to demand a guarantee,
as many late events have shown but too clearly, that a section of the
Protestants is disposed to maintain a hostile and intolerant position
towards the Catholic Church, We, the Chapter of the Cathedral,
accordingly pray that communications may be sent to his Majesty the
King, and the German confederate States, to support the existing laws in
opposition to what has taken place, to maintain the guaranteed rights of
the Catholic Church, and to request the interference of the law against
such abuses of the German press."
(Signed) "The Clergy of the City of Treves."
Nothing could be more artful or cowardly than this document, as if
the great settlement at the Reformation had been infringed by the open
expression of opinion on what has excited the disgust and ridicule of
all intelligent Catholics. It is not difficult to trace in the above
letter the very spirit which, in a former age, would have found no
obstruction in executing, after its own fashion, that law, to which now
they are obliged to make a respectful and almost degrading appeal. Most
fortunate is it that Ronge is the subject of a Protestant Government,
which has it now in its power so materially to advance the cause of the
Reformation.
Let us now quote a portion of the address of the clergy of the Cathedral
of Breslau. "Most worthy Lord Bishop! 'Troubles must come.' This saying
of our Lord and Master has been confirmed so often in all ages, and
especially in our times, that we need scarcely question that an Article
in the _Saechsische Vaterlands-blaetter_, from a Catholic priest, on
the Holy Coat of Treves, should appear unexpected, amid the manifold
experiences of your Grace. Nor do we believe that this scandal in
Germany will at all affect the veneration in which your Grace is held,
or cast the slightest shadow on your high and holy office. Taught and
accustomed to suffer shame for the cause of the Lord, and comforted by
the promise, 'Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake,'
we would have passed by this calumny in silence, as a drop of the
teeming ocean of blasphemies with which the Lord honours his Church, to
see them dashed on its Eternal Bock,--if it had not come from the midst
of us--from one who calls himself a Catholic priest. * * * The name
of the blasphemer is _Ronge_, who was consecrated to the priesthood in
Breslau. The spirit by which he has lately been actuated was not long in
manifesting itself in him. An Article of similar stamp, calumniating his
ecclesiastical superiors, and the supremacy of the Church, subjected him
to an examination. Not being in a position to defend himself, and too
haughty and hardened to seek forgiveness, by repentance and penance, he
was obliged to give up his office, after the suspension of the Church
had been pronounced against him. Since this period, Ronge has had
nothing to do with the care of souls. What could be more welcome for
the enemies of the Church, who looked with indignation on the crowds
of pious pilgrims proceeding to the Cathedral of Treves, than that a
pretended member of the Church--aye, a priest--should take the Holy
Coat into his unclean hands, and tear it with logical power into pieces,
while even his executioners left it from pious awe undivided. The holy
ceremony is now at an end--the sacred shrine is closed--the holy
relic, by the contemplation of which hundreds of thousands have been
encouraged, and strengthened, and elevated, lies treasured up for future
ages. The calumnies will be silenced--the blessings will remain, and
when the holy treasure is again exposed to the worship of the believing
multitudes, another race shall live and think in the pious prayers of
those pilgrims who have completed their pilgrimage, and have attained
from faith to sight. May this new race see better days--days of outward
and inward peace--days of peace, which the world cannot give! May the
pious bands who may then go on pilgrimage to Treves, attain the end
of their undertaking, not amid the sneers of the scoffer, but amid the
friendly congratulations of all, even of those who are connected with
it! May the German people be then truly a people of brothers--one in
that one thing which is needful--one in will, and deed, and faith, and
struggles; and may the German fatherland, like the holy garment itself,
be undivided! God grant you grace and strength for this great end!
"(Signed) "The Cathedral Clergy of Breslau.
"31st October 1844."
This document, like the preceding, is its own commentary. We leave
our readers to weigh it along with the exposure made in Ronge's
"Justification." It is not difficult now to see what influences have
been at work in procuring its suppression, and it is deeply to be
lamented, that a government so liberal as the Saxon, should have
interfered in keeping back a statement so important, in the defence of
truth and justice.
We do not deem it necessary to make long quotations from the ordinary
Catholic journals on this part of the subject. They breathe the same
spirit. Many of them are filled with appeals, of which a single sentence
may suffice as a specimen:--"Laity and priesthood! have you already
forgotten whither such proceedings lead? Know you not the causes and
consequences of the Reformation? Will you lead the way to a second
breach in the Church, as if the first had not been deplorable enough,
both for the Church and country?" &c. All of such extracts are proofs
strong enough, how sensible all parties of Catholics are of the danger
to be apprehended from Ronge's movement.