THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
the figures assigned to Confucianism and Buddhism. The majority of Buddhists live in New South Wales, while the most of the Confucians are found in Queensland and Victoria. The estimated number of the latter in the Commonwealth is between 15,000 and 16,000, and that of the former more than 7,000.
Polytheists and fetish-worshipers come from the islands of the Pacific, the Philippines, and the Sunda Islands; it is uncertain how large a proportion of this category is made up of the aborigines. By far the greater number of Australian blackfellows have been converted to Christianity by missionary activity in their behalf, although the precarious conditions of life and the poverty of nature in the interior render it extremely difficult to reach the natives in that region, and the obstacles are augmented by their spiritual and 8. Missions moral degradation. Nevertheless, not Among only the larger denominations, but Aborigines, also the smaller, such as the Lutherans and the Quakers, are engaged in missionary activity among the aborigines. There are, in addition, special societies under the auspices of the Anglican Church and unions of several denominations, such as the Aborigines' Protection Mission, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, the Free Mission (in New South Wales), and the Australian Board of Missions (in Victoria). The missions of the Roman Catholic Church are chiefly in the north. The number of
unconverted Australian aborigines is estimated between 10,000 and 20,000. Several missions have also been established for workmen in the gold mines.
The number of those who profess to be without a religion, such as freethinkers and the like, is inconsiderable, the census returning less than 24,000 of this class; to this group, however, should doubtless be added many of those who declined to answer the question concerning their religion, so that the number can probably be doubled.
The public schools of Australia underwent an
important change in the eighth decade of the
nineteenth century, when obliga-
9. Educa- tory gratuitous instruction was introtion. duced into all the colonies. While many schools are still maintained by religious denominations, all citizens contribute to the support of the public schools. The intermediate schools, on the other hand, are, for the most part, under denominational control and of denominational origin. Popular Christian education is also furthered by the Sunday-schools, which are well attended. Wilhelm Goetz.
Bibliography: G. W. Rusden, History of Australia, 3 vols., London, 1883; T. A. Coghlan, Statistical Account of the Seven Colonies of Australia, Sydney, 1891; R. R. Garran, The Coming Commonwealth; a Handbook of Federal Government, ib. 1897; P. F. Moran, Hist, of the Catholic Church in Australasia, ib. 1897; W Westgarth, Half a Century of Australian Progress, London, 1899; Australian Handbook, ib. 1902; W. H. Moore, Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, ib. 1902; Encyclopcedia Britannica, Supplement, s.v.
I. The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Armenian Churches. The Concordat of 1855 (§ 1). Effects of the Concordat (§ 2). Theological Education (§ 3). Revenues (§ 4).
Archdioceses and Dioceses (§ 5). Societies and Charities (§ 6).
AUSTRIA.
Greek and Armenian Christians (§7). II. The Protestant Churches.
The Evangelical Church and its Organization (§ 1). Changes of Confession (§ 2). Schools (§ 3). Theological Education (§ 4).
Financial Status of the Evangelicals (§ 5).
Societies and Charities (§ 6).
Minor Denominations and Non- Christians (§7).
Religious Distribution and Statistics (§ 8).
Austria is an empire of southern Europe, forming with the kingdom of Hungary (which is not included in the present article; see Hungary) the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Excluding also the former Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (q.v.), the area is 115,903 square miles, the population (1900) 26,107,304.
I. The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Armenian Churches: During the period of the Reformation, Protestantism made much progress among the people and gave rise to a considerable number of sects, especially in Bohemia. But the government remained Roman Catholic and by force and law freed the Church from heresy and then began to rule it. Long before the reign of Joseph II (1780- 90) Gallican and Jansenist teachings were introduced and were intensified by Febronianism (see Hontheim, Johann Nikolaus), and Joseph transformed the Austrian Church into a body which was almost schismatic. An ecclesiastical government was formed which regulated the minutest details by state law, sparing scarcely any department of activity, legislation, or administration (see Joseph II).
A new period began with the concordat of 1855
(see Concordats and Delimiting Bulls, VI, 2, §§ 6, 8). The imperial patent of Mar. 4, 1849, and the imperial enactments of Apr. 18 and 23, 1850, laid the foundation of the complete independence of the Church and in 1853 negotiations were begun with the Curia for carrying out the new provisions. The result was the concordat of Aug. 18, 1855, which was promulgated by a bull of the pope and by an imperial patent, both dated Nov. 5 of the same year. A definite agreement in regard to all ecclesiastical matters was enacted in thirtysix articles. The jurisdiction and administration of the Church, so far as its internal 1. The Con- interests were concerned, were placed cordat of entirely under church control, in this 1855. category falling the relations between the bishops, the clergy, the laity, and the Holy See; the education and ordination of the clergy; diocesan administration; the arrangement of public prayers, processions, pilgrimages, funerals, provincial councils, and diocesan synods; the superintendence and giving of instruction to the Roman Catholic youth, and all religious instruction from the theological faculties to the public schools; the ecclesiastical right to censor books; jurisdiction