New-York tribune., 1906-12-10
POPE DEF[ES FRANCE.
SEPARATION OPPOSED.
Gorerumtut Prepares Stern Meas
ures to Enforce Lac.


- alarrning religious crisis. Last nights re-
-. of the Pope's eleventh hour rejection Of
- Governments final proffer under which
,-o,boic worship could be continued under the
.or,r,on law turns out TO be only too true, and
,bs deadlock. now is apparently complete Ac-
,o,5ing to the Holy Fathers orders declarations
,,,ae- the law of 1881 are prohibited, but the
narish priests must remain in their churches
until driven out by violence.
The official confirmation of this conmunica-
tion has created a sensation, both in govern
r,ent and Catholic circles Cardinal Iecot
Archbishop of Bordeaux: Archbishop C1ermain
and others who already had advised compliance
with the law. have hastily instructed the parish
rriests Of their dioceses that their former ad-
vice is null and void, and to-day in all the
churches Of Paris bishops and priests after mass
read the letter from Cardinal Richard, Arch
bishop Of Paris. communicating the decision Of
the Holy See TO continue services in the
churches. but abstain from any declaration -
and Cardinal Richards own Instructions in
view Of the order issued by the Prefect of the
Seine yesterday, not to permit for the present
The employment Of ceremonial draperies at mar
risges funerals
The church wardens. whose legal existence ex-
pires next Tuesday. were thanked to-day from
the pulpits of the various churches. Prayers
ing the coming period of persecution.
The government regards the action of the Pom
Tiff little less than a summons 10 the French
Catholics 10 open rebellion, and as rendering the
situation exceedingly grave and possibly en-
falling the most deplorable consequences.
Premier Clemenceu and NJ. BRAND. Minister
Of Public Worship. were in conference all day.
There is no sign Of the government faltering but
it recognizes that it may be forced to resort to
extreme measures. n. BRAND said to-day that
the decision Of the Pope was entirely unexpected.
The minister added:
The enCyclcaI is very grave. While condemn
ing the law Of 1905, it advised recourse to the
conInon u W Although the refusal TO form cult
ural associations was, in my opinion. an error
and 10 the detrment Of the Church. il was the
Church's legal right so to refuse. In a spirit of
conciliation out of respect 10 the consciences Of
The French Catholics. and in order to do nothing
10 disturb peace and tranquility. the govern
ment thereupon prescribed this easy means OF
continuing worship by a simple decara tion in
accordance with the law Of 1881.
The Pope's brutal order TO the clergy to reject
this offer practically incites them TO violate the
laws of the country. He no longer acts as the
spiritual head of the Church. the canonicaI
objections against the law Of 1900 cannot be in
voked against that OF 1881. The Pope now as
sunes a political leadership. and the vital uues-
ton IS whether the Catholics Of France will
consent 20 follow him not. If they do the
government will act with even greater energy
because OF the tolerance IL has manifested here
cuted. and. furthermore, special measures. legis-
ative and otherwise, may be taken
The special measures referred to by IF. BRAND
are those intimated by Premier Clemenceau IN
the Chamber of Deputies, namely. TO strip the
clergy of their privileges compel them to per-
form military service and. last resort. to
treat them as foreign subjects.
Militant Catholics are rejoicing at the stern
attitude Of the Pope. A religious organ says
the faithful now face the future with Sc
reni;y and ''show the prosecutors of the Church
that the Daughter OF Eternity disdains the eff
forts Of wicked men and will triumph in the
end"
The decision of the Vatican. which is in the
form Of answers to specific questions may be
summarized as follows:
Parish priests. Wears. etc. must remain
passive. and may not cooperate in any act Of
sequestTstion: but if the bishop considers that
the refusal Of the treasurers To surrender the
keys may cause grave consequences he can per-
NIT them 10 do so on condition that they do not
sign any document consecrating the spoliation-
Bishops may authorize Catholic officials to par
ticipate in secuestration, if the refusal would
endanger positions necessary for the mainte-
nance Of their families; but parish priests and
other Catholics cannot participate in acts OF Sc
fIeStIa'loh IN any manner unless me seques-
tered ecclesiastical property IS permitted TO pay
rent to The public administrator, unless the
contract cannot be broken without heavy loss
Churches. presbyteries, episcopal mansions.
seminarieS. etc, which seized cannot he
rented except in case Of absolute necessity, and
after the administrator has signed a declara-
uon not 10 attempt IN any wise to abridge the
liberty Of the lessee. If called to the colOrs
ecclesiastics must appeal to the Council of State,
but pending the councils decision should their
failure 10 respond 10 the call subject them 10
the penalty Of desertion, they can report for
service If cultural associations are formed, the
parish priest must remain in his church and
continue to say until driven out by vio-
lence. II schismatic priest appears the legiu-
mate priest must leave the church. first warning
his Darishoners; but he must not participate In
any schismatic service.
Rome Dec. 9.-In spite OF Tumors OF attempts
TO bring about a Cancellation between France
ana the Vatican, Vatican authorities have de-
MED again. and with emphasis, that any nego-
ustions 10 this end under way. On the
contrary Church officials are very indignant at
The attitude taken by NJ. BRAND, the French
Minister OF Public Worship They say that
France apparently grants facilities for the prac-
uoe Of worship but IN reality she is striving 10
oismernber the organization of the Church by
striking at the clergy. According to the latest
instruction. the clergy viii not yield except 10
force. It is believed here that December II will
the begiprspg oF Increased bitterness I'm the