The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-31
THINK PRIESTS MAY REBEL
IF POPE ORDERS PRIVATE WOR-
SHIP IN FRANCE.
Government Newspapers Believe Fear OF
Losing Churches Forever May Cause
Break In Allegiance co Rome Old
Historic See Transferred From LucOn.

LOSlnk Nnurcncs Forever WAY I8use
q Break in Allegiance 60 Rome-OId
Historic See Transferred From LucOn.
Special Cable Despatch to THE SUN.
PARIS, Dec. 30.-It is announced that the
ancient bishopric Of Lucon has been trans
ferred to La R~oche-sur-Yon, thus closing
one page OF the religious history of France
Lucon was created a bishopric in 1877, and
Cardinal Richelieu was one of the incum-
bents Of the See until he became the domi-
mating figure in the politics Of France.
DEGREES rave been promulgated dissolv-
ing two religious associations at Paris and
Amiens.
Connect m the new religious law after
its passage by theS Senate is as various as
the previous criticisms. The Aurore says
that IL The Pope instructs the priests to
abandon their churches it is a question
whether the priests will obey, as they know
that II they abandon them it will be a ques-
ton il they ever Renter them.
The Steele feels sure that private wor-
ship will now be ordered because it is the
only means Of driving Catholics to ex-
tremities and because the Pope's advisers
have evident interest in driving the faith
full to extremes. The Steele publishes this
to-day, notwithstanding that only yester-
day the letters of several Bishops were
published expressly forbidding priests to
encourage or engage in private worship
since that grave measure was to be re-
sorted to only in the last extremity.
The RepUbtque Frdncdise says the law
is a bad law. but trouble is not likely until
the almost inevitable closing Of the churches
or their application to other than church
Il l-- III - =
months for this to happen and tells why
the public will express more satisfaction
when it knows who will be the next director
Of the opera h indignation when it learns
that Notre Dame is closed.
The Temps says w were Of those I'M
DESTROYS of separation, who combated it.,
foreseeing the trouble to which it was bound
to give rise, and because public opinion did
not appear to demand it, but separation
is now accomplished. To-day it is the law
and must be obeyed.'
One of the soberest opinions is voiced by
the Oil Bias, which says that II complete
harmony existed between the Pope and the
French clergy the situation would long ago
nave wrought disturbances, but the Pope's
will hurt French Catholics. Rome's orders
will be obeyed, but against the will of the
clergy and the episcopacy. 1t is not with
enthusiasm, but with sorrow and resigna-
ton that che French Church obeyed its
chief.
Therein is perceived the frailty of pom
tifical authority. 1t no longer depends on
the adhesion of conscience and hearts but
solely on the fear of Roman thunder. Catho-
lies are at the same time French, and when
il is still better understood that the Pope
no longer requires mere obedience to the
faith but open rebellion against the coun-
try's laws, which will also be against the
true interests of religion. there will be a
revolt of French conscience. The Pope's
error is in his misconstruing the French
spirit, the awakening of which will be the
ruin of all his plans and all his hopes.