The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-14
CATHOLICS POUR
into CHURCHES
Of PARIS
Priests Celebrate Mass Be
fore Throngs and Are
Cited to Appear in Courts
CABINET FRAMING
PUNITIVE MEASURES
Clergy May Lose Pensions
and Church Property Be
Taken Over Immediately

Taken Over Immediately
PARIS, Dee. 13.-Today has been
marked by the total absence of any OF
the sensational dramatic incidents
anticipated in alarmist quarters I'm con-
nection with the execution of the law
of separation. The parish priests every
where celebrated mass I'm the presence
of unusually large congregations. but
the actions OF the authorities were con-
fined to noting infraetions of the law
and citing the priests and Wears 20
appear before Justices of the Peace.
Everywhere legal notices have been
served for the evacuation of the eccie-
siasfie residences, the seminaries. etc.
Several of these buildings were aban-
doned without further ado. but a ma
jority of the preIates announced that
they would depart only under duress.
In many parishes. both In Paris and
the interior. laymen filed declarations
today for the holding of services in the
designated churches during the coming
year II this practice is generally fol-
lowed. it will be distinct victory for
the Government. relieving it of the ne
eessity of closing the churches and also
throwing on the clergy the responsible
ity for the discontinuance of public
Worship
MEASURES BEING FRAMED
In the meantime. the Cabinet rs pre-
pairing measures to be introduced in
Parliament tomorrow. The net result
of the uneompromising attitude
sumed by the Vatican seems TO be that
of which have been granted and ga
zetted since the beginning OF this year;
that all aspirants to the priesthood will
be compelled to perform military SER
vice and that the taking over OF the
episcopal mansions. rectories. semina-
ries, etc. by the state and the COM
munes will occur Immediately. instead
of in December. 1907
According TO well-inforned persons.
the Government intends TO respond TO
the attitude taken by the Vatican by
submitting to Parliament proposition
TO settle definitely the status OF the
church in France. Under this proposal
the church will forfeit all dement's un-
der the law of 1905. but it is to be pro-
vided with an opportunity TO carry on
public worship in conformity to the
common law. Church property is, to
be handed over Immediately to the civil
authorities on condition that IL be re-
served for worship and the positions
of Cardinals and Bishops as foreign
officials will be dealt with later. IL the
Government finds it necessary to do so.
ENTER BY SIDE DOORS
Proceedings have been begun in be-
half OF the Government against the
Sisters of the Assumption on the
charge of conducting a convent and
school for the aristoeracy in violation
of the law against education by relig-
ious orders
A correspondent of the Associated
Press visited a dozen churches, incIud-
fng Notre Dame. Des VICTORIES. st. Ger
main dAuxerrois. where the signal Of
the ST. Bartholomew massacre was
given; St, Roche. the Madeleine and St.
Augustina
Everywhere it was the same story.
The front gates OF che churches were
closed. but the Catholics. by the gray
light of dawn. were streaming through
the side portals The interiors of the
buildings were we'll filled: in several
places there was music. Nowhere was
there the slightest attempt to interfere
with the services or create a disturb
ance. Three policemen were stationed
outside the porticos of the churches to
prevent possible disorder. while police
officers In plain clothes were on duty
inside to note the infractions OF the
law. taking the names of the ofacfat-
ing priests and approximating the
number OF those present. with the OBJ
ject of making reports to the Justices
of Peace
Formal charges were entered where
ever mass was celebrated. except at the
churches OF ST. Jean Ia rEvangile. St.
Blaise de Charonne and Pere La Chafse.
the parishioners of the latter two have
followed the example of the first men,
toned church and made application
yesterday evening to hold services un-
der the law OF 1881. The vicar of st.
Braise de Charonne. when induced by
mis- parishioners TO take the step. said:
whatever the consequences. I regret
everything.
Early dispatches from the dspsrt-