Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-12-15
srAqEMRNT FROM THE VATICAN

SIA1EmENi FNOH AhE
The Pope aud the pspsl secretary.
Cardinal Merry del Val, have refused sll
requests TO grant sn interview Tor pnbli-
cation on the Franco Vatican situation,
bat the following statement is authorized
by the Vatican:
1.-THE situation may be summarized %
flllOws:
"The eoucordat, the most solemn bi
lateral contract, has not yet been de-
uounced BY the French government,
which wishes 10 establish a new legal
standing for the church in France. The
government did not agree With the Holy
See on this subject and repeatedly aud
openly showed hostility toward the head
OF the church. Violence may prevail
for time, bat those who are suffering
from this state of oppression preserve all
their rights and all their claims. The
explosion OF JOY among the Masonic and
demagogic societies as a result oil the
persecution on the part OF the govern
ment shows that the war is against the
church and religion. ,
Notwithstanding the bills passed and
regulations adopted, France at the pres
ent time has 40 Law granting religious
liberty to those who do not comply with
the law providing for the separation Of
church and State.
"The one good point in the circular is
sued recently by the French minister OF
public worship, NJ BRAND, is bis con-
fession that it is impossible to apply 10
cnl,nral associations the laws OF 1881
and 1901, which ere adooied Tor the
regulation OF other kinds Of associations
meetings Therefore, what is needed ~
u real law providing for real liberty. 10
stead of arbitrary ministerial circulars.
The loyalty and good will OF the Holy
See nndes similar circumstances was
shown 10 Brazil. There WAS a monarchy
and cOncordst, both Of which the
republicans suppressed and proclaim
ed their separation from the Holy SEQ,
under certain reserves. Later the Bra
lillian republic came to.aD understanding
with the Vatican, aud pspal nuuciO
was accredited to Rio Janeiro, while a
Brazilian minister was accredited TO the
Vatican
"The search OF the nunciature at
Paris and the expulsion from France OF
Mgr Montsgnini, secretary of the nun
eiatare, were s,eps tskeu with The ooJeei
of making the world believe the false
statements circulated later, aud which
were said 10 have originated in the dis
coeefy OF documents seized ST the nun
cisiure. such rs the report that some OF
the French episcopsey and clergy were
ready 10 made applications to hold reli-
gious meetings. There is no truth in
the statement. The Holy See is cot op-
posed to the making of application un-
der the Law, but takes exception TO the
whole spirit of the circular issued By
Minister Of Public Warship BRAND.
The Pope Yesterday seceived cable
gram Archbishop Farley. OF New York,
setting forth the sender's warmest SYM
pathy in the church's present trials. The
Pope WAS extremely gratifed to receive
this message Commenting upon it, he
said:
at is the heart of American that con-
soles us. The largest center Of Csthol-
icism Is in the United States"
The Giornale d'ltalis, OF Rome pub
lished an article in which Mgr. Montag-
mini, referring to his expulsion from
France, is quoted as follows:
"The present situation is due to Free
masonry, which succeeded 10 getting the
upper hand through the Incidence of the
French middle classes. Although deep
ly Ca lholic, these classes are unorgan-