The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-10
POpe'S Eleventh Hour
Rejection May PreCip-
itate Calamity.
ASK PROTECTION
IN THEIR PRAYERS
People in All the Churches In
woke Divine Help During Com
ing Period Of Stress-Premier
Clemenceau Confers All
Day With M.
BRAND.

PARIS. December 9.-France tonight
seems 70 face an alarming religious crisis.
Last nights reports OF the Popes elev-
enth-hour rejection Of the governments
final proTer. under which Cathoiic wor-
sap could be continued under the COM
mon law. turns out 70 be only too true.
and the deadlock now Is apparently COM
plete. According 20 the Holy Fathers
orders declarations under the law Of 1851
are prohibited. but the parish priests
must remain in their churches until
driven out by violence.
The official confirmation u this COM
munlcatl0n has created q sensation, both
lu government and Catholic circles Car
cinal Iecot Archbishop OF Bordeaux.
Archbishop German and others. Who al
ready had advised compliance with the
/ law. have hastily instructed the Paris
priests Of their dipceses that their former
advice is null and void and to-day. IN all
the churches of Paris, bishops and priests
AFTER mass. read the letter from Cardinal
Richard Archbishop Of Paris. communi-
eating the decision OF the Holy See to
continue services in the churches. but
1 abstain from any declaration on Car
o-rltL Richards instruction IN view OF
the order issued b. the prefect OF the
seine yesterday not TO permit for the pres
eni the employment Of ceremonial drap-
cries at rnarriages and funerals
Thank Church Wardens.
The church wardens. whose legal exist
euce expires next Tuesday. were thanked
to-day from the pulpits or the various
churches Prayers were offered for the
protection Of God during tho coming
period NJ persecution
The government regards the action OF
The Ponun as little less than a summons
faf raN
as rendering the situation exceedingly
grave and possibly entaillng the most de-
plorahle consequences
Premier Clemenceau and NJ BRAND
minister Of public worship. were in CON
ference all day to-day There is no sign
OF the government faltering. but n
recognizes that IL may be forced 20 re-
sort 70 extreme measures II. BRAND said
to-day that the decision Of the Pope wa
entirely unexpected
Decision of Vatican.
The decision OF the Vatican. which IS
In the form OF answers 70 specific oues-
tons. may be summarized as follows.
Parish priests. Wears, etc. must remain
passive and may not Cooperate In anv
act OF seQuestration. but 81 the bishop
considers that the refusal OF the treasur-
ers 20 surrender the keys may cause
grave consequences. he can permit them
20 do so on condition that they do not
sign any document consecratfne the
spoilaton; bishops may authorize Catho-
lie officials 10 participate in seduesters II
the refusal endangcrs positions necessary
for maintenance OF their families. but
parish priests and other Catholics cannot
participate in acts OF seqeestration In any
manner unless the seqUestered ecclesias-
.tical property is permitted to pay rent 10
the public administrator. or unless the
contract cannot be broken without heavy
loss. Churches. presbyteries episcopal
mansions. serninaries etc. which are seiz-
ed. cannot be rented except IN case OF
absolute necessity. and after the admins
traitor has signed a declaration not 20
ettempt IN any wise 70 abridge N lib
erty OF tho lessee; IL called to the colors
ecclesiasUcs must respond