Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-14
'ENCYCL|CAL BY POPE
To the Bishops and Archbish-
ops of France.
FOR THEIR FUTURE CONDUCT
Under the New Law Separating
Church and State.
TEXT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Says Time Has Arrived for the De-
Tense and Preservation Of Re-
ligion in France.
FOR THEIR FUTURE CONDUCT
TEXT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

ROME, August 14.-The text of the Pope:
long-expected encyclical to the archbishops
and bishops of France concerning their flu
ture conduct in view of the enactment OF
the law providing for the separation OF
church and state appeared in the Osserva
tore Romano today. 1t refers to the previ
Gus encyclical condemning the general prin
ciples of the law, and says that the time
now has arrived to indicate what should be
done to defend and preserve religion In
France.
1--WE deferred" the encyclical says, "ouI
decision owing to the Importance of this
grave question and particularly through q
charitable feeling for the great services
your nation has rendered to the church.
Having heretofore condemned this iniqui-
tous law, we examined with the greatest
care its articles to see If they permitted the
organization of religious .ife IN France with,
out jeopardiZing the sacred principles OF the
church"
After approving the recommendations OF
the French hierarchy disappearing of the
law, the encyclical says:
Therefore, concerning cultural associa-
tons, such as the law prescribes, we decree
absolutely that they cannot be formed with
out a violation of the sacred rights which
are the life itself of the church. Putting,
therefore, aside these associations which
our conscience forbids us to approve II is
organization, both legal and canonical, can
avert the threatened dangers to the
church.
Menaces the Church.
The encyclical then examines at length
the other forms Of organization. The Pope
says nothing causes him greater agony than
the eventualities menacing the church in
France, and, therefore. he hopes to find
some other kind Of associations not endan-
gering divine rights.
But as this hope fails u.s." he continues.
and the law remains as it is We declare il
is not permissible to try this other kind of
association SO long as they do not establish
that the divine constitution of the church,
the immutable rights Of the Roman pom
tin. and the bishops. and their authority
over the temporal affairs of the church
revocably protected by such associations.
We cannot wish otherwise without betray-
Ing our sacred charge and producing the
ruin OF the church in France"
To Organize Their Forces
The document urges the bishops to adopt
all means within the law to organize their
forces. assuring them of papal cooperation
and support 1T is not difficult" the en-
cyclical says. Ito foresee the recrimina-
tAOAo "AiiCL tLc cuculIeS OI the churCh Will
make against our present decree. They will
seek to persuade the people that we do not
seek the salvation OF the church, but that
form Of republic in France Is odious to u.s.
We denounce with indignation such in
situations as false. The makers of this
law have not sought separation but op-
preston. While affirming their desire for
peace they have made atrocious war against
religion.
They hurl a brand of the most violent dis
cord, thus arraying one citizen against
another to the great detriment of public
welfare. We have supported patiently in
justice after injustice through love of the
French nation, and are finally asked to
overstep the last limits of our apostolic
duty and We declare our inability to over
step them. Let the responsibility rest with
those whose hatred has gone to such ex-
treme."
The pope counsels against seditious or
violent action, and says frmness will give
better results than violence. United ac-
ton, he says, can be learned from those
who have imposed the stigma of this crmi-
nal law upon the nation.
In conclusion the encylcal says: I'm the
hour of hard trial for France if all united
in defending the supreme interests of the
country the salvation of the church is far
from desperate. On the contrary, it is to
be hoped that her dignity will be raised to
it's former prosperous height
The documbent was signed August 1.