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Reich Concordat between the Holy See and the German Reich (July 20, 1933)

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Final Protocol

At the signing of the Concordat concluded today between the Holy See and the German Reich, the duly empowered Signatories made the following identical statements, which form an integral part of the Concordat itself.

To Article 3. The Apostolic Nuncio to the German Reich, in accordance with the exchange of notes between the Apostolic Nunciature in Berlin and the Foreign Ministry on March 11 and March 27, 1930, is Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps accredited there.

To Article 13. It is agreed that the right of the Church to levy taxes remains guaranteed.

To Article 14, paragraph 2, section 2. It is agreed that if objections of a general political nature exist, they will be put forward in the shortest possible time. If after 20 days no such statement has been made, the Holy See will be justified in assuming that there are no objections to the candidates. The name of the person in question will be kept in strict confidence until the announcement of the nomination.

This is not to establish the basis for the right of veto by the State.

To Article 17. Buildings or properties of the State devoted to purposes of the Church are to remain in use as before, subject to existing contracts.

To Article 19, paragraph 2. At the time of signature of this Concordat, the basis is provided especially by the Apostolic Constitution, Deus Scientiarum Dominus of May 24, 1931, and the Instruction of July 7, 1932.

To Article 20. The hostels under the direction of the Church in institutions of higher learning and gymnasia are to be regarded, with respect to the tax laws, as essential ecclesiastical institutions in the true sense of the word and as integral parts of the diocesan organization.

To Article 24. Existing institutions of the Orders and Congregations will also be given due consideration in the accordance of recognition [bei ihrer Zulassung], in so far as private institutions are in the position to meet the State requirements generally in effect after the reorganization of the system for the training of teachers.

To Article 26. A serious moral emergency exists when there are insuperable or disproportionately difficult obstacles impeding the procuring of documents necessary for the marriage at the time.

To Article 27, paragraph 1. Catholic officers, officials and enlisted men, as well as their families, do not belong to local parishes, and are not to contribute to their maintenance.

Paragraph 4. Issuance of the Apostolic Brief takes place after agreement has been reached with the Government of the Reich.

To Article 28. In urgent cases entry of the clergy is guaranteed at any time.

To Article 29. Since the Government of the Reich has indicated its readiness to be accommodating in the matter of non-German minorities, the Holy See declares that, in confirmation of the principles it has always upheld regarding the right to the use of the mother tongue in pastoral work, in religious instruction, and the conduct of Catholic societies, it will take into consideration when making arrangements for concordats with other countries in the future the inclusion of an equivalent provision protecting the rights of the German minorities.

To Article 31, paragraph 4. The principles established in article 31, paragraph 4, apply also to the Labor Service.

To Article 32. It is understood that similar regulations regarding activity in party politics will be introduced by the Reich with regard to the non-Catholic denominations.

The conduct which has been made obligatory for the clergy and members of Orders in Germany in virtue of article 32 does not involve any sort of limitation of the preaching and interpretation of the dogmatic and moral teachings and principles of the Church in accordance with their duty.

At the Vatican City, July 20, 1933.

Eugenio Cardinal Pacelii
Franz von Papen

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