New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-12
4 1TUEISU IN FRANCE.
VIEWS OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRELATE.
HOW THE BILL FOR EXPELLING PRIESTS AND NUNS
FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS Is REGARDED.
lBr CABLE TO THE rK1prxr.I

HOW THE BILL FOR ExPELLING PRIESTS AND NUNS
FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS Is REGARDED.
lBY CABLE THE TR1B1,Nrl
CopyTf0hti 1886; North american CABLE Ne,rs CO.
PARIS April 1.-THE bill for expelling
prless and nuns from their posts teachers In the
public schools Of France has already passed both
Chambers. and the Senate amendments will probably
be accepted by the Lower Chamber it Will doubtless
soon become law. The provides that all nuns
anu priests teaching in public schools shall be re-
placed by lay teachers within i've passage
OF the law As there are many hundreds OF such teach
the measure bitter quarrel between Roman
Catholics and gonists Protestans take part
IN the contest being comparatively few and
not greatly interested either way. THE TRIBUNE rep
resentative called upon OF the highest Roman Catho
lie preates OF France, who perhaps might be- re-
garied as able TO speak with more authority tho
views OF his church than any other. In order to learn
the opinions OF his church i'll regard this bill. Tho
prelate said:
true that the Church regards this bill as blowas
religion but the Church has through attacks
than that before and shall not he overwhelmed II ia
difficult for Americans to appreciate the Significance OF
this law. for the people of America, a rule have
respect for religion. Catholic some other;
but here in France tho have 20 religion
at all. This is not blow at the Catholic
religion only the attack made by atheists upon all
religious training All religions therefore. Will suhcr
but the government OF the nations aud the morality Il
the people will suffer We believe it ia enough
to teach the people little religion Sunday. Young
people especially ought have it instlled into their
minds every day. do that they should actu-
ally spend their time at school studying religion That
is not done Even and priests 10 not read the
Bibe in school; but merely by their personal influence
train the mind respect God and form moral habits.
must acknowledge that there lay teachers
who very moral and good, but there others
who arc immoral and atheists and know OF at
least who rises in daily efforts to teach Atheism chit
dren do not believe. however tho sisters will be put
'. Of the schools for they too popular in France
They hep the poor and have made many for
them to be turned out, at least The law allows
five years for entire change ami believe at the end
OF that time the Government Will have to ask for an
extension Of time in the of the Sisters lslst"
IN the event OF atheists ting possession OF tho
scho) )ls. what will be the policy Of the Roman Catholic
Ch reh IN regard to educating children whose parents
700 poor to send them to paid schoolsp r.
There are now Catholic schools all over France sup
ported by voluntary gifts. They can be educated there;
any way dependent Oh the Govern
ment for occupation or charity are obliged
puhlic schools. Tnat includes not only ali court and
police officials but all post office. telegraph aud railroad
no29ooies. Of course II the cnigirea Of All taess
ct. listen TO atheists all the week,
we must do all that we cin on sundays
stand that the struggle France is between
lg atheism and not between Catholics and Prot
esttnts. There are In France about l2.OOO0OO people
who have been haplsed in the Catholic Church, but OF
these only about l00DOOOO really la the church.
There may be 100000 or 900 900 and peo-
pie other forms Of religion. 1he rest are Atheists.
u people who RELIGION no thought ani never 20 to
church. In Paris there is a population OF nearly
100000; yet AL the churches OF Parls, II niied
the utmost capacity, wonlt not contain over
j01 900 aud they are pever all nllei immortality Is
growing all the time. In France the people arr losing
al respect for the principles or rr On Ib"r" n't1
ng restrain them against Inc tendency OF - hs
RepnbIc ~ ~ pay the penalty. soon. i,ier
there Will "A reaction aud religion will utl-
ma ely suffer- But meantime France Will sullcr
riOusly"