GERMAN CATHOLICS is the name generally given to a religious sect that has recently sprung up in Germany in the bosom of the Roman Catholic church. Though retaining the designation Catholic—I e.; universal—they form independent congregations, and most commonly style themselves Christian Catholics. So far as their general principles are concerned, the German Catholics stand upon Protestant ground; but neither in theory nor practice are they evangelical Protestants, nor do they wish to be accounted such.
Whatever might be the deeper causes of the schism, the immediate occasion of it was the exhibition of the holy coat at Treves. In 1844, bishop Arnoldi appointed a special pilgrimage and service to this relic, to be preceded by confession and remission of sins. This proceeding called forth a protest from J. Ronge (pronounced Rouge, the g hard), a priest in Sksia, who, having quarreled with the authorities of his church, had been suspended from his office, and was living in retirement. Rouge addressed a public letter to bishop Arnoldi, Oct. 1, 1844, in which he characterised the exhibition of the coat as idolatry. Ronge's voice found a vivid response in the minds of many Catholics, and was also approved by Protestants.
A short time previous to the publication of this letter, J. Czerski, a priest at Sehneidemuhl, in Posen, had seceded from the Roman Catholic church, and was about to form a congregation of " Christian Apostolic Catholics." Czerski and Rouge were naturally drawn into confederacy. Ronge at last addressed an appeal to the lower orders of the priesthood, calling upon them to use their influence in the pulpit and everywhere to break the power of the court of Rome, and priestcraft in general, throughout Germany; to set up a national German church independent of Rome, and governed by councils and synods; to abolish auricular confession, the Latin mass, and the celibacy of the priests; and to aim at liberty of conscience for all Christians, and perfect freedom for the religious education of children.
-The first congregation of the new church was formed at Schneidemtilil, and took the name of Christian Catliblic. The confession of faith, which was drawn up by Czerski, differed little in point of doctrine from that of the Catholic church. The Holy Scrip
tures and the Nicene creed were held to be the only standards of Christian faith, and were to be understood in the sense patent to every enlightened and ,pious Christian. Nothing was said against the worship of saints and relics, pilgrimages, confession, etc. This confession of Schneicleintffil served many other congregations as a groundwork, though some of them modified it in various ways, and expressed themselves more definitely. The new sect quickly increased. At the beginning of 1845, more than a hundred congregations were in existence. The congregation which was formed at Breslau is noticeable from the confession of faith which it issued, drawn up under the influence of Rouge, who had been chosen preacher. This .confession completely departed from the doctrine and ritual of the Roman Catholic church. The Scripture was laid down to be the only rule of Christian faith, and no external authority, it was added, can be allowed to interfere with the free interpretation of it. The essentials of belief were restricted to a few doctrines: belief in God as the creator and Governor of the world, and the Father of all men; in Christ as the Saviour, in the Holy Spirit, the koly Christian church, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Baptism and the Lord's supper were held to be the only sacraments. Confirmation was retained, but most of the rites and practices peculiar to the Roman Catholic church were given up.
• The need of something like concert being felt, the first council of German Catholics was held at Leipsic, 'March 22, 1845, and attended by deputies from many of the lead ing congregations, others signifying their willingness to abide by the decisions that might be come to. The principles of the Breslau confession were mostly adopted. The interpretation of Scripture, the only source of Christian belief, was left to the free exercise of reason, pervaded and actuated by the " Christian ideas." Forms of worship were to be adapted to the requirements of time and place. With regard to church gov ernment, the council declared in favor of the presbyterial and synodal constitution. The congregations were to have the free election of their clergy and eldership.