Page:The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.djvu/127



CHRISTIAN CONSTITUTION OF STATES. 121

the spring-head of all rights and of all power, it follows that the State does not consider itself bound by any kind of duty towards God. Moreover, it believes that it is not obliged to make public profession of any religion; or to inquire which of the very many religions is the only one true; or to prefer one religion to all the rest; or to show to any form of religion special favor; but, on the con- trary, is bound to grant equal rights to every creed, so that public order may not be disturbed by any particular form of religious belief.

And it is a part of this theory that all questions that concern religion are to be referred to private judgment; that every one is to be free to follow whatever religion he prefers, or none at all if he disapprove of all. From this the following consequences logically flow: that the judg- ment of each one's conscience is independent of all law; that the most unrestrained opinions may be openly ex- pressed as to the practice or omission of divine worship; and that every one has unbounded license to think what- ever he chooses and to publish abroad whatever he thinks.

Now when the State rests on foundations like those just named â€” and for the time being they are greatly in favor â€” it readily appears into what and how unrightful a posi- tion the Church is driven. For when the management of public business is in harmony with doctrines of such a kind, the Catholic religion is allowed a standing in civil society equal only, or inferior, to societies alien from it; no regard is paid to the laws of the Church, and she who, by the order and commission of Jesus Christ, has the duty of teaching all nations, finds herself forbidden to take any part in the instruction of the people. With reference to matters that are of twofold jurisdiction, they who administer the civil power lay down the law at their own will, and in matters that appertain to religion defiantly put aside the most sacred decrees of the Church. They claim jurisdiction over the marriages of Catholics, even over the bond as well as the unity and the indissolu-