THE CHURCH LAWS OF 1873., April 5, 1873

THE CHURCH LAWS OF 1873.

AN ACT providing for a change in articles 15 and 18 of the constitution of 1850.—April 5, 1813.

We, William, by the grace of God King of Prussia, &c, do hereby decree, with the sanction of both houses of the Diet of our monarchy, as follows:

sole article.

Articles 15 and 18 of the constitution of January 31, 1850, are hereby annulled.

The following provisions are adopted in their stead:

Article 15. The Evangelical and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as every other religious society, have the direction and control of their own affairs, but are subject to the lawfully regulated supervision of the state.

On the same terms every religious society shall possess and enjoy the establishments, endowments, and funds which are devoted to its religious, educational, and charitable purposes.

The right of appointing, proposing, selecting, and confirming, in filling ecclesiastical offices, is hereby abolished, so far as it belongs to the state, and is not based upon advowson or special legal titles.

This provision has no reference to the appointment of clergymen in the army or in public establishments.

The prerogatives of the state shall be regulated by law as regards the preparatory education, appointment, and dismissal of clergymen and other religious functionaries, and the limits of ecclesiastic disciplinary power shall also be defined by law.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto affixed our signature and caused our royal seal to be hereunto affixed.