Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-18

NSeHsSSAOAA
efforts by the government to sever the
long existing relations between church
and state. Immediate responsibility
for the present crisis lies with the vat
lean, which has instructed the French
prelates, priests and people to pur-
sue 4 policy Of passive resistance to
the new low, as it relates to the main
tenance Of churches.
Prior to last year there was part
nership between church and state in
France Last year the government
decided To cut the bonds. With this
general policy the church need neces-
sarily nave no quarrel, as our own ex-
periance has proved that in repub
lie there is no need for union and that
the church can get along very well on
its own feet. The flrst step toward
dissertation In France was the barring
of religious instruction from schools
and the expulsion of religious orders
which mad been conducting the schools.
Rome protested against the order but
offered no resistance. But the same
law which closed the religious schools
dictated that church property could
no longer be held by the church as an
institution. 1t was required that the
lay members form associations to
which the church property should be
transferred and by which it must be
held in the future. 1t was to this or
der that the central government of
the Catholic church has refused to sub
NIT. Some of the French bishops and
priests were willing to abide by the
law, and refrained only by direct or
ders from Rome. Rome held that the
civil law is in violation of the whole
system Of church organization and
could not be obeyed without undermin-
ing the foundations of the church.
Finding that the new law would not
be observed by the church the gov
eminent proposed compromise. 1t
was suggested that the association law
would be held in allegiance and the
Catholics would be allowed to use
their churches for worship provided
they would take out permits under an
old law regulating public assembly.
Rome rejected the compromise and
instructed it's congregations not to
take out permits, but to let the gov
eminent go ahead with its enforce
ment Of the law, shutting up the
churches and making outlaws of the
priests who might attempt to- hold
services under the regulations of the
church. The law took effect Wednes-
day. Today service cannot be held
in any Catholic church throughout
France except in violation Of law.
Moreover the failure Of the church to
establish itself on legal basis makes
all priests and theological students
subject to military service, the same as
ordinary citizens.
1t is obvious that the vatican thinks
the government cannot enforce law
which deprives a large portion of Its
citizenship of the right to worship I'M
der regulations prescribed by the
church. 1t is equally obvious that the
government intends to enforce the
law. In way this will place the
churchmen In the role of martyrs.
Loyal Catholics, firm in their conf
dence IN the wisdom and authority of
the head Of the church, are sure to be
moved by resentment against the gov.
eminent. Although Rome advises that
this resentment shall not find vent in
violence or open defiance of the officers
there Is grave apprehension Of serious
trouble.
Without attempting to pass on the
4
merits of the controversy at this dis.
lance. 1t would seem that the govern
ment made mistake in trying to die.
tate the manner in which church prop.
erty should be held. A similar effort
even in this country would arouse
widespread resentment. In going to
that extreme the government appar.
emily made inevitable clash between
civil law and church law. Had the gov.
eminent stopped short of this the pres
ent opportunity for serious trouble
would not have been possible. 1t may
be argued, too. that the law having
passed the church should have put UP
with it, but this offers reminder that
the officials of the church owe obliga
ton TO the canons which have been
handed down from century to century
as the fundamental laws of the great
organization of which st. Peter was
the first visible head.