1. No state power has the right to impose obligations upon its
subjects which are in opposition to the commandments of God, the
decrees of Jesus Christ, and the precepts of the church.
2. The apostolic courage with which the Catholic bishops, not
fearing temporal loss, not even imprisonment and exile, defend the
rights of God and of his holy church, as also the inalienable
rights of Catholic conscience, and the priestly fidelity and
firmness with which the Catholic clergy, not led astray by
illusions and threats, remain true to the episcopate and the
church, deserve the admiration and respect of all Catholics and of
every right thinking man.
3. The measures used against the bishops and priests of the
Catholic Church do not succeed in their object; they grieve most
deeply the Catholic people, but they cannot be persuaded to
exchange a church founded by Almighty God for one founded by the
state. In vain are all the experiments used to separate Catholics
from their rightful superior.
4. The Catholics of Germany recognize always the legitimately‐
elected Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the head of their religion
and church. In him they revere the infallible teacher of faith,
the high‐priest and the supreme watchman of Christianity. No power
can separate the Catholics of Germany from the chair of S. Peter.
5. The only prelates of the German bishoprics are those bishops
who are legitimately appointed by the Pope according to canon law.
Catholics obey and reverence these bishops, be they in prison or
in exile.
6. The Catholics of Germany recognize as pastors only those who
are appointed by the Pope and legitimate bishops. With unshaken
determination they repel every attempt to induce them to revolt
against Catholic authority.