The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-11

| over another in civil matters in regard to the
church, and III religious matters in respect to
the state but does not exclude official relations
between the one power and the other, unless
by separation is meant the inevitable hostility
or open wrong of the civil power toward the
church and its ministry. 1t is point TO con
slider that all nations although some may have
in their constitution the principle of separation
between state and church, maintain, neverthe
less, amicaDle reports and relations with the
Holy See and can also add that although the
Holy See has no diplomatic representative with
the empires of China and Japan it has certainly
found no official obstacle in their diversity OF
religion.
And the condition of the Catholic church in
the United States, in whose constitution was
incorporated the article of the separation of
state from every religious sect, cannot escape
our consideration. 1 might almost say in q
sense of surprise that if up to date no official
relations exist between the Government and
the Holy See, and although the majority of the
population is anti-Catholic, in the meantime
the church is maintaining possibly greater de-
velopment and liberty than in other States.
Besides this direct reference to the Uni
ted States, it is said Mgr. Satolli's argu-
ment as to the propriety of relations be-
tween Guatemala and Rome applies also
to the United States, as he states the con-
stitutional provision of both countries is
the same respecting church and state. AS
to the concern of the Pope for the church
in Central America the document says:
am happy to state that the holy father with
much pleasure learns that the ancient violent
prejudices and oppositions to the church are
daily disappearing. Moreover, I must assure
you OF the lively concern of his Holiness to see
the condition of the Catholic church in your
State, the great Importance of which in Gen.
trail America is we'll known, improved. There
fore the holy father regards as of the greatest
Importance, religious and civil, the good exist
ence of friendly relations, and he is not averse
to making all such concessions as may be COM
patible with the doctrine of the church. to the
welfare of the faithful and the prosperity OF
your country. And, therefore, his Holiness
consents to proceed to the nomination of an
apostolic administrator to the See of Guate-
mala who, going stranger to every faction and
without personal preoccupation, should put in
order the religious affairs of the vast arch
diocese. The apostolic administrator should
be European, selected from among notable
prelates or monks and of tried piety and pru-
dence. Being such, he should more readily
succeed in his difficult mission.
Speaking of the desirability of rendering
less burdensome the condition of the
church in Guatemala Monsignor Satolh
says:
Apropos of which allow me to recall to your
consideration the numerous DEGREES issued
from the 18th of December, 1871, up to 1884
and other dispositions up to 1S67-decrees and
dispositions of law more or less gravely preiu-
dical to the religious liberty which the church
by divine right and almost, might say, by the
right of mankind traditional for centuries, has
| possessed everywhere; DEGREES and laws that
| with mature examination must be recognized