Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-28

Many Of them have been restored At the
expense OF the government, which owns the
cathedral and several of the parish
churches in the federal district. but the
priests receive no subsidy: nor does the
maintenance OF sectarian schools. Religion
IS absolutely free-as free n 1t In In the
United States and the government gives
the same protection to all sects, Jew, Gem
tile, Mormon, Greek. Protestant or Catholic.
whatever they may believe, 50 long as their
worship Is conducted In accordance with
the laws and regulations. There are no
Official chaplains in the army. but any re-
igious denomination can do missionary
work among the soldiers in any way that
does not interfere with their duties or their
discipline.
Suppression Of the Orders.
Under the reform, laws all Of the monas-
tic orders were suppressed and all the
monks and nuns were expelled from the
country. Many Of them have come back.
Under those laws no more than three cler-
gymen or other persons bound by religious
vows or pursuing religious occupations can
live together. That is to prevent the re-
establishment of nunneries and monas-
teries, but the law is not strictly enforced.
There are, according to common gossip q
large number OF educational institutions
conducted by nuns, scattered throughout
the country, even In the City OF Mexico,
which are perfectly well known to the au-
thorities, but are tolerated by the govern
ment beause the nuns are attending strict.
ly to their own business, are doing good
work and are offending no one. The other
day we visited convent In country town
in which we were told that thirty nuns
were living in absolute seclusion. The priest
who showed us around told me that there
were only thirteen, and that they were all
very old women, who were there before the
reform laws were enacted and were kindly
allowed to remain. A resident OIL the town.
however, told me that this statement was
not true, for, to his personal knowledge,
there had been several additions to the
community within the last few years. In
GLIDING four or five fugitive nuns from
France. who were teaching in the schools
and were going out and in each day with
the full knowledge of the authorities.
Understanding With the Government.
A high official of the government, in COM
menting upon this, said that the interior
department had complete information on
this subject; that It had list Of all the
monks and nuns in the country and where
they were located. He intimated that this
information was obtained from the arch
bishop, with whom there was an agreement
that they should not be interfered with as
long as they devoted themselves to re-
ligion, education and charitable work. He
of the friars who were expelled from the
Philippine Islands had found an asylum in
Mexico, and that most of them were now
serving as parish priests. There are no
communities of monks and none will be
permitted. They can live as individual pas
tors In the seminarios, as the parsonages
are called, but they will not be permitted
to form communities. On the other hand,
it is the policy of the government not to
disturb nuns who are engaged in educa
tiOnal or charitable work
According to the law, no clergyman or
member of any religious organization is al
lowed to wear a distinctive dress In the
street. This applies to the Salvation Army
as well as to the friars. but the law is not
enforced. We saw any number Of priests
in the towns OF the interior wearing their
usual garb, and even in the City of Mex
leo one can always identify priest by his
black suit of broadcloth, his black pleated
cravat, his straight collar and silk hat.
Nuns wear the conventional garments of
their sex with black shawls over their
heads. 1 am told that no one has been ar
rested for ten or fifteen years for the VIOLA
ton of this law, because the government
has a pledge from the archbishop that he
will be responsible for it's observance.
The Archbishop's Pastoral.
A few days ago the archbishop published
pastoral ealing attention to the law pro-
hibiting religious PROFESSIONS and instruct
prevent It's violation. He prohibited the
fantastic customs which prevail at several
Of the sacred cities of Mexico during holy
week and especially the representations OF
the cruciflxion which used to be common
but are now forbidden. In his pastoral the
archbishop uses some vigorous language.
He says:
Il. All priests must work unanimously
and earnestly for the success of our pur.
pose IN which we have showed many times
the unsuitableness of representations and
caricatures Of Indians, soldiers, dancers,
etc.
49, For no reason or circumstance what
ever will the curates and Wears or other
priests tolerate any representations In the
churches or atrios, in which there are
dancers or imitators Of the enemies or any
executioners OF Christ, especially during
the hours in which are celebrated the divine
offices or other religious exercises. or when
ever the faithful practice acts of piety.
49, Keep careful account of the per-
sons who may try to present themselves foe
exhibition in ridiculous dress. and are al
most always Of the very poorest and 1gno-
rant, to the end that YOU may speak and
treat with them in plain and persuasive Ian
guage, with simplicity and jealous patience
until you convince them of the justice OF
our prohibition.
"a In the sad cases in which they re-
main obstinate and refuse the counsel and
advice of their parish priests and do not
ton, the priests of the place must abstain
from the celebration of the divine offices
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy
week. during which the temples and atrios
must remain closed, 80 as to avoid any
danger of proclamation"
The fifth of the archbishop's in1unctions
requires that he shall be notified immediate
ly of any case of rebellion that may occur
as he wishes to know the names of the doors
of evil
For the true disciples OF Jesus Christ"
continues the archbishop, "all the days of
life must be sacred. Those Of Holy week,
called holy, are consecrated to the COM
memoration of the mysteries of the passion
and death of our Divine Redemer"
SURPRISING the PROFESSIONS.
The government has been trying to sup
press these religious professions and dem
onstrations for long time, but President
Diaz has not thought 1t wise to enforce the
law with vigor among the ignorant inhabi-
tants of the villages of the interior who
are entirely under the influence of their
priests. Last year Mr.. Reyes, proprietor
of the Santa IneZ sugar plantation near
Cuatla, was fined 5000 for permitting his
poems to have a representation of the cru
MI