The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-08-09
What Ais France.

{ON OUR first page we reproduce
from the Boston Republic the best
article we have yet seen attempt
| ing to give the true inwardness of the
present religious troubles in France.
These troubles are the result of an
arbitrary enforcement of the law of as
sociations Last week they assumed q
| gravity which inclined American read
ers of current events to the belief that
a revolution was at hand. The opera
tions of the gems d'armes were directed
against the sisters conducting Catholic
schools. This was more than flesh and
blood could stand. 1t fired the Catho-
| lie women of Paris to action. They ap-
peared on the scene and made a dem
onstration against the government.
Their example, however, was not fol-
! lowed by Catholic men. In the north
the Breton women showed their affec-
ton for the sisters and their hostility
to the Combe's government in more
vigorous manner. Their show of
strength induced the government to
! postpone its DEGREES of expulsion to
more opportune time.
Those Bretons are a dangerous peo-
pie when their wrath is aroused. Cath
olics they have always been, and of
that simple piety which is wrapped up
in the saints of France of royal blood
The republic has few supporters in
Brittany. It's people long for the res
toration of monarchy. That longing for
monarchy in Brittany and in other
places throughout France, which finds
expression in a "clericaT party, is at
the bottom of the law of associations.
If it is not, then where can we find
reason for the apathy of Catholic
Frenchmen; how can we explain the in
difference of the French hierarchy;
how account for the silence of the
pope?
One of the singular contradictions
revealed by the application of this law
against the religious orders was
brought out in the statement that NJ.
Combes had received and was consid-
ering a large list of petitions for au-
thorization We do not know what the
conditions may be to which religious
congregation must subscribe in order
to lawfully carry on their work of
teaching, or their corporal works of
mercy: but it strikes one as rather
singular that some religious orders can
conscientiously comply with the law,
while others cannot. However, with
out the law before us. it would be
wrong to pass judgment, although a
lack of unity between authorized and
unauthorized congregations is plainly
apparent.
Various reasons are given to explain
the astounding spectacle of Catholic
France handing over to apostates and
infidels the power to crush out its re-
ligious life. The Republic quotes one
writer who says the Catholics OF
France have grown Indifferent to the
faith. and rarely practice their duties.
If this be so, who is most to blame:
There are churches and schools at
every turn of the road throughout
France, where its citizens were taught
in youth to love God and their neigh
bors-at least this was the purpose os
the church and the school. There
were monasteries without num-
Der, and legions of friars and
monks. Then how account for this in
difference of Catholic Frenchmen
breathing the very atmosphere of the
sanctuary? Those can best answer
who have observed that avarice and
ambition are not strangers in the mon
astery, no less than they are out in the
world.
Those recent attempts to expel the
Sisters from their schools and the dem
onstrations following, show that the
French people would rather give up
their faith than give up the republic.
For this great change in France, the
clerical party is responsible. Its priests
have exposed the human side of the
church and brought it into disrepute
with the common people.
The only way France can be restored
20 its position as Catholic nation is
% have a hearty recognition of the
republic established among all classes.
along with an emphasized aban-
comment of clerical and legiti-
mist and royal parties. When
all these are wiped out. the DAYS
of Combes and his infidel auxiliaries
will be numbered