Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-28
.THECHURCH IN MEXICO
Relations With the Government
Quite Amicable.
DAYS DIPLOMATIC METHOD
Few of the Clergy Are Still Unrec-
onciled.
SIGNIFICANT TEST OF OPINION
Celebration of the Centennial Of the
Birth Of Juarez, Who Over
threw the Church.
TEST OF OPINION
BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.

Record Herald.
CITY OF MEXICO, April %, 1906
The relations between the Catholic Church
and the government Of Mexico are more
amicable today than they have been at any
time since the fall of the empire. A portion
of the clergy are still unreconciled, and
many families of the old Spanish aristoc-
racy sympathize with them, but 1t may be
truthfully said that ali who believe IN the
republic, all who approve Of democratic in
stitutions. be they priest or layman. are
finally satisfied with the wisdom OF sep
arating spiritual and political affairs. The
only exceptions are monarchists at heart
the remnant of the old imperial party. which
has twice failed to set up throne at the
capital of Mexico and cannot yet be made
to see the folly and futility OF their hopes
They are very few, however-those who
want king. President Diaz has placated
the most of them. He has convinced them
that a republican form of government has
brought great prosperity to Mexico, has
multiplied their incomes several hundred
fold, has increased the value of their land
has relieved them from the terrorS and the
blackmail of bandits. has furnished them
profitable market for their crops, and, alto
gether, has improved their temporal condi-
ton In most amazing manner. The ola
women and some of the young women do
not appreciate these 1actS, Dut tHe ileh
could never again be induced to support
monarchical party, and any movement to
disturb the present conditions, from what
ever source 1t might originate, would be
frowned down. Diaz has won over to his
support the most influential and promising
of the younger generation of the Spanish
aristocracy. He has appointed them to i'm
portant offices, he has given them his con-
fidence, and has several representatives OF
this class upon his STAN.
Test Of Public Opinion.
The recent celebration of the centennial
anniversary of the birth Of Benito Juarez,
the man who overthrow the church, confis-
Gated its property, suppressed the monas-
teries and nunneries. expelled the religious
orders. who forbade the priests to interfere
in political and temporal matters, was
significant test of public opinion. 1t was
good deal to ask of the clergy to join the
free thinkers. Freemasins and the non-re-
ligious element of the population in paying
honor to Juarez's memory. 1t could not
have been done twenty or even ten years
ago. 1t would have caused revolution. But
all the bishops and the parish priests gener-
ally throughout the country participated in
the celebration. The archbishop of Mexico
officiated at a pontifical mass in the cathe-
dra1 and TIE Deum was sung. with orches-
trail accompaniment The cathedral was
ablaze with lights on the evening of the 21st
of March. which was the anniversary Of
Juarez's birth. The facade and the towers
were trimmed with electric bulbs. All the
population of the City of Mexico were there
to II, and the masses that were sung
for the repose of his soul were attended by
throngs of people from daylight till dark.
1t was almost impossible to enter the cathe-
dral. and when one finally pushed his way
through he found the altar and choir
crowded with priests in their richest vest
ments, paying honor to the man who for
half a century has been denounced as the
worst enemy of the church ever known in
Mexico.
hear that in certain parts of Mexico at
the centers of conservative opinion and
clerical influence. several priests refused to
participate in the observance of the ami
versary, and 1t Is not possible to blame
them Many held entirely aloof and re-
NAMED in their seminarios. Others were not
satisfied with mere passive resistance.
The Governments Orders.
According to the program of the govern
ment, at sunrise on the morning of the
21st of March every church bell in the
republic was to be rung in honor OF Juarez
and salute was to be fired from every
fortress. every military barracks, and wher-
ever there was a cannon. At several places
the bells were not rung at all. The priests
declined to permit it. One priest, with good
logic, declared that government which
had forbidden the church to have anything
to do with its affairs, better not be giving
orders TO the church. No attention was
paid TO him. AT one place, hear. the par
ish priest locked up the belfry and taking
the keys with him, went into the country
TO spend the night at the hacienda of a
friend, and did not return until the Juarez
celebration was over. AT another place the
sacristan excused himself for not ringing
the bells on the ground that the keys of the
church were stolen from him during the
night, and were not found until the follow
ing afternoon. Another parish priest defled
the authorities and advised them to ring the
bell on the town hall, which would answer
every purpose and would probably crafty
the spirit of Juarez more than the sound
of church bells.
With a few exceptions like these which
were overlooked by the civil authorities,
In the JuareZ centennial, which indicates
how much public opinion has moderated, for
such a thing could not have been expected
a few years ago.
notice that the church papers. the Or
gans Of the former clerical party, are not
so hostile or even so critical toward the
government they used to be, although
they are still rabid against the United
States. They denounce Roosevelt as the
prince of sinners; they are determined in
their opposition to the free school system,
and never lose an opportunity to predict
calamties for the future. They refuse to
see the prosperity of the republic; they re-
fuse to recognize its progress, and the tone
OF their editorials Is always pessmlstic
At the same time, under orders from Rome,
conveyed through the apostolic legate they
have ceased their attacks upon the per-
sonal character of the president.
The President and the Church.
The relations between the president and
the archbishop and the apostolic legate and
the clergy generally are very friendly.
There Is eonciliatory disposition on both
sides. This is also due to instructions from
the Vatican. The legate is not recognized
officially, OF course, but is treated as dis
tinguished prelate, very much as he is in
the United States. For long time he re-
manned incognito, until his position was
unofficially defined, and through intermedi-
aries he was given to understand that the
government did not have the slightest OBJ
lection 10 the presence of personal repre-
sentative of the holy see, provided he did
not interest himself in political affairs.
Since then there has been friendly UNDER
standing.
The reconciliation between the govern
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