Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1906-12-11
SEPARATION LAW
GOES IN EFFECT
LAW SEPARATIN CHURCH AND
STATE IN FRANCE BECOMES
EFFECTIVE TODAY.

Special to the Herald.
Paris. Dec. 1.-THE law of associa-
lions. providing for the separation oil
church and state in France, formally
went into effect today. The climax
of the long and bitter warfare between
the republic and the Catholic church
has thus been reached. Contrary to
what might be expected, indications
are not lacking that the public dis
orders that have been provoked by
the strife between state and church
will now subside in a measurable de-
gree. If such proves not to be the
case, the onus will be placed upon the
church, as the government is unmis-
takably disposed to leniency in the en-
forcement of the law.
The attitude of the government is
evidenced by the instruction issueS
by NJ. BRAND, minister of education
and public worship, to the projects as
to their conduct in enforcing the law
Assurance is given that the govern
ment will not go to extreme lengths
by closing the churches to public wor-
ship. If congregations default in the
formation of associations religious
services will come under the law of
1881 as public meetings. But as ser
vices differ in many points from meet
ings, the projects have been instruct
ed to adapt the law, where it is neces-
sary, in order to facilitate in every
way the carrying on of services, and
notably the clause of the law by which
previous notice of an intended meeting
is exacted. 1t has been decided that
one notice stating the hours of ser
vices shall suffice for any period.
The congregations must establish
bureau, or body of men, who will be
responsible for the purpose and good
order of meetings. Representative of
the government must be present at all
meetings, but can only dissolve them
if the bureau fails in its duties and
disturbances ensue. Priests may re-
ceive and dispose of moneys taken in
actual collections at such meetings,
but all other contributions and in
comes will belong to the state. Cures
will be merely occupants without legal
title in the premises. The churches
and other properties will be handed
over to associations if they are form
ed within a year. If taken then by the
state they viii still retain their pre-
vIons character. until a contrary de-
cisjo@ia anpapr-eg IAN epov~Vsv M
history of the French republic. 1t
means, in effect, that no religion is
now recognized by the state Up to
January 1 of this year the Roman
Catholic church, the Reformed church,
the Augsburg confession and the Jew
ish Religious community were so rec
ognized. The relations between the
state and the Roman Catholic church
were determined by the Concordat of
1901 and the organic articles of 1902
The relations between the state and
the Protestants and Jews were deter
mined by different laws and DEGREES
of the same period. The ministers Of
these creeds were paid by the state
salaries and were in many respects
dependent on the government These
relations are now completely severed.
According to the law promulgated
just one year ago the churches are
separated from the state, the adher-
ents of all creeds may form associa-
tions for public worship, and the
state, the departments and the COM
munes are relieved from payment OF
salaries.
As transitory measures, eccIesias-
tics over 60 years old and over thir-
ty years Of service remunerated by the
state are entitled to a pension equal
to three-fourths of their salary. Pro