The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-15
Many Disappointed at the
URcOnpf0nising Attitude
MEANS STATE OF TURMOIL
Temps Asks If the Lesson of the
Church inventories Has Taught
Nothlne-cIericals Bow With
Submission and Joy.

Paris. August 14.--The Pope's encyclical
to the archbishops and bishops of France
prescribing their attitude with regard to
the church and state separation law, at
tracts widespread attention here, and its
probable effects are the subject of ami
mated discussion by the press and public,
and particularly by the clerical and offl-
cial classes responsible for the execution
of the law.
A pontifcal messenger arrived here this
morning bearing the document to Arch
bishop Richard,S who soon afterwards
gave out the document for publication.
The encourage of the archbishopric sum-
married. their views in the following
words:
THE Pope has spoken and we bow with
Many Are Disappointed.
While this reflects the general attitude
of the hierarchy. yet a considerable ele-
ment among the clergy receives the de-
cision by the pontiff with disappointment
and regret as being likely to inaugurate
an era of religious strife. The decision
causes serious confusion with regard to
the practical carrying on of churches. The
new law lays down specific provisions con-
cerning the organization of cultural as
sociations, but the Popes decision ap-
pears to make 1t impossible for the clergy
to conform to the law. At the archbish-
opric it was stated today that no steps
have yet been taken to insure the con-
tinued operations of churches. 1t is un-
derstood the encycical was accompanied
by instructions concerning the means the
hierarchy should adopt
The view generally prevails that the
vatican seeks to create situation epm-
peling the government to enter into ne
gotiations for some form of church or
ganization that will be acceptable both
TO the church and to the state. How
ever, there is no indication of the gov
ernment's willingness to move in that di-
rection.
The government journals strongly dis
approve the encyclical, the Temps say
ing:
Will Afflict Friends of Peace.
1.-THE resolution to afflict all friends Of
religious peace is very apparent. Uncom-
promisingness dominates pontifical cir
cles. An immense majority of reasonable
PIclCH SdlilOllcS ueSlTeQ lnS DG1S1l OIL
the liberal provisions of the separation
law. It goes without saying that the pom
tifical decision will not change the SEN
timent of liberal-minded Frenchmen
who above all wish for religious peace.
The separation law contains broad and
tolerant dispositions, and is accepted as
such by unprejudiced men. The anti
clericals even raised objections to the
liberality of the law. One wonders to
what hopes or chimera the Pope is now
clinging Has the lesson of the inven-
tories taught his nothing?
1.-The only outcome of pontifical re-
sistance is that the church herself de-
prives her devotees of the worship to
which they are attached by old customs
The strange paradox occurs that the re-
ligious authorities refuse the churches the
powers offered them by the law. This SEN
sible and clear-minded nation, deslrous
of peace before everything. never will ad-
init the decision to be the fruit of truly
Christian or logical and sensible inspira-
tion.'
La croix, representing the clericals,
says:
THE Pope's wish will be realized. Cath
olics are about to unite in obedience un-
der the direction of the bishops. Despite
possible trials, the church will emerge
finally victorious"