Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-12-11
Pope Plus DEFIES
REPUBLIC OF FRANCE
French Catholics Summoned to
Open Rebellion.
NOW FACING RELIGIOUS CRISIS
OepolarbIe Consequences Feared-situ-
alton Has Been Rendered Exceed
ingIy Grave by Pope's Action Order
ing Priests to Defy Government.

insIy Grave by Pope's Action Order
ing Priests to Defy Government.
Paris, France, Dec. 1O.-France
seems to face an alarming religious
crisis. The reports of the popes
eleventh hour rejection of the gov
ernment's final proffer under which
Catholic worship could be continued
under the common law, turns out to
be only too true, and the deadlock
now is apparently complete Ac-
cordlng to the pope's orders, declara-
tions under the law of 1881 are pro-
hlbited, but the parish priests must
remain in their churches until driven
out by violence.
The official confirmation of this
communication has created sensa-
ton, both in government and Catho-
lie ci.cles, Cardinal Lecot. arch
bishop German and others, who al
ready had advised compliance with
the law, have hastily instructed the
parish priests of their dioceses that
their former advice is null and void
and Sunday in all the churches of
Paris, bishops and priests, after mass
read the letter from Cardinal Rich
ard, archbishop of Paris, communi-
eating the decision of the holy see to
continue services in The churches,
but abstain from any declaration .
and Cardinal Richards instructions
IN view OF the order issued by the
prefect OF the Seine, not to permit for
the present, the employment of cere-
monial draperies at marriages or fu-
nerals
The church wardens whose legal ex-
istence expires Tuesday were thank
ed from the pulpits of the various
churches. Prayers were offered up
for the protection of God during the
coming period of the conflict.
The government regards the action
OF the pOntiff as little less than a
summons of the French Catholics to
open rebellion, as rendering the sit
uation exceedingly grave, and possi-
bly, entailing the most deplorable con-
sequences.
Premier CIemenceau and M.
BRAND, minister of public worship,
were in conference all day Sunday.
There is no sign of the government
faltering, but it recognizes that it
may be forced to resort to extreme
measures. NJ. BRAND said that the
decision Of the pope was entirely un-
expected.
The encyclical is very grave" said
M. BRAND. while condemning the
law of 1905, it advised recourse to
the common law Although the re-
fusal to form cultural associations
was, in my opinion, an error and to
the detriment of the church, it was
the church's legal right so to refuse.
In spirit of conciliation, out of re-
spect to the cOnsciences of the French
Catholics, and in order to do moth
ing to disturb peace and tranquility.
the government thereupon prescribed
this easy means of continuing Worship
by a simple declaration in accord
ance with the law of 1881.
THE pope's brutal order to the
clergy 10 reject this offer practically
incites Them to violate the laws of the
country. He no longer acts as the
s1iritual head Of the church, as the
canonical head against the law of
1905 cannot be invoked against that
Of 1881. The pope now assumes
political leadership and the vital
question is whethe1 she Catholics of
France will consent to follow him or
not. If they do, the government will
act with even greater energy because
OF the tolerance it has manifested
heretofore. Every violation of the
law will be prosecuted and further
more special measures, legislative
and otherwise, may be taken "
The special measures referred to bv
M. BRAND are those minated bv
Premier Clemenceau in the chamber
OF deputies, namely, to strip the
clergy Of their privileges, compel
them to perform military service, and
as a last resort, to treat them as for
pion sub iecfS