The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-24
FRANCE AND RELIGION.
Interesting Letters From tho Primo MIME
ter and the Bishop OF Nancy.

Interesting Letters From the Primo Mimic.
ter and the Bishop OF Nancy.
The character OF tho religious conflict
between tho Government and the Catholic
Church now going on In France may b
understood from two letters that have
passed recently between Premier Combes
and the Bishop Of Nancy. which are pub
lished by the Paris Mdtin. The Prime Min
isters letter Is as follows:
MONSIEUR LEvrauk. Last sunday during tho
progresso NJ mass which II apposra a,"rcsarved
for men," you publicly Installed In the puipt Of
Your cathedral N. RaveneE. presented by you "a
Having belonged to the cong resatlon Of Jesuit
fathers and as having left u through seculanza.
tlon."
Now nobody can believe that among the secular
clergy In the nnc diocese which was conhded 10
you rs the Government Of the Republic there could
not be found preacher capable OF Nline the pulpit
OF your Cathedral and thai II WAS necessary 70 ask
the ss,istance OF a congregation which does not
even recognize the French law. which Is stin In
existence and which, as you know very we'll never
loses and can never lose Its Authority over those
who belong TO II.
Moreover YOU took care to explain tho character
and the aim Of the presence OF NJ. Raveuek What
you intended was a violent protcstation against
. circular which, after all merely recalled the fun.
damcntal rules In regard to the public exercise Of
the Catholic religion In Franco. II was promed
itatrd defiance. and II won for you the pAudts Of
your audience. since You belong TO those. II seems
who believe tina. applause Is permissible In a
church.
II Is to be regretted. Monsieur rEveque, that,
placed In the post OF confidence which you OCCUPY
you did not hesitate. so close 10 the frontier 70 give
such an example OF contempt for the Government
OF your country II Is no less 10 be dcrlored that
to crafty political passions and anlmosltles you
sho wed yourself 20 utterly obllvios OF the standing
In which you are placed TO the point even OF specu
lating In the most noble scntimcnts worthy OF all TO
spect. by taking good care 10 mention that the
Jesuit chosen BY you wasa naturalied Frenchman
born In Strashurg.
These arc proceedings which public opinion viii
Judge severely and which the Government cal mot
overlook. have, therefore, the honor to inform
you that have given the order TO stop from th1
very day tho delivery to your address OF any dram
on the funds of the public treasury.
Accept the assurance. &C..
President OF the Council.
Minister Of the Interior.
Z, CohBH.
And here Is the Bishops answer:
MONSIEUR LIZ MINIsTRR: I have your letter In
which you announce to me the suppression OF my st
pend 1t reached me this ming but this ming the
journals Of Nancy and. doubt all the Journals Of
France. thanks to your communications With tho
Agence Havas. had already published your decree.
Your two circulars were also given 10 the public
before received them-A method In manners
unknown until 70 day TO the French administra-
ton. appealed, not 10 = member OF the
congregation OF JeSuits. but to priest nrguhHy
secuarzed who left that congregation.
| already pointed out to you In my letter OF the
18th inst. that the existence Of congregation 70
which priest thus seculanI red once belonged could
form legal objection 70 that secularzahon.
have known and know Jesu'b over whom the con
gregsuon lost all authority and 70 which they arc
In no wise bound.
No law and no fundamental rule In regard 70 tho
exercise Of the Catholic faith In France testify
your circular. You have not even attempted to
cite any law any rule
You attempt to give mo lesson In regard 70 tho
applause with which my words were received.
do not accept that lesson. II Is for the Bishops 70
make rules In regard TO deco rum Ia the churches
The case In question presents no novelty b not
the INST time that manifestations werc made IN
church. There are sentiments that French end
Catholic souls cannot always control. and which
burst forth In homage to the God OF all Justice and
of true liberty.
I have given no example Of contempt for tho
Government or the Institutions OF my country
The pos, which occupy al the frontier ] have
proved myself worthy OF nlllng. during twenty
years ! have used all the means Ii my power W
bring abou, peace. union and respect for the law.
without which the nation must perish nave
never ceased to fan the name ofpatrot6m IN tho
hearts of the noble people Of Lorraine- belong to
7.
the army the nag and France. do NOT belong 70
those who insult them. do not belong to those
who SOW divisions In the Il nd which osken II and
expose II 70 the chance of becoming. In anarchy
and In ruin. the prey Of Its enemies.
You dare to tell me that wanted 70 crafty
political passions" ] repel with Indignation that
Infamous and unjust accusation. n ! have pro-
tested against certain laws and decrces, In tho
performs nee Of my duty Bishop and an hoAest
man. ! have never attacked tho Institutions them
selves. All that. Sir. you know very veil. What
did In my cathedral on Sunday, the Josh Of April.
was to perform my duty as q citizen OF free coun
Try and Bishop.
You dare 70 say that have been -ohiivtous Of
the character Of the trust reposed In me. TO spscu
late In the most noble sentiments" by taking carr
to remark that the Jesuit selected by mo was born
In Strasbure and was naturaliLcd French citizen.
II Is because fully appreciate the character Of the
post which hold. and because refuse 70 dishonor
IT, that obey God and my conscience.
stand above all mise rabe speculauons and am
incapable Of any Kind Of treason.
The Abht Ravencz. an Alsatlan who abAn doned
his beloved province In order 10 remain faithful
10 France. Is entitled 70 special considerable i.
which all true Frenchmeu must appreciate =
OF that opinion reach me every day from al points
Of France, telling me thai You and your followers
have not yet suppressed the liberal Chnstian and
generous soul OF our great aud beloved country.
As for the stopping OF my stipend. let me tell
you that never cared either for honors or money.
hold TO my duty and TO my honor You threaten
me with other measures. Do your worst 7 never
feared any man. and surely cannot commence
with you.
Receive, Monsieur lie Minlstre, the Assurance OF
my respectful sentiments.