The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-12-18
MAY End CHURCH Y NJ
Pope Allows Laymen to Make Ap-
plication to Hold Services.
CABINET PREPARES NEW LAWS
Decides TO Seize and Hold Churches
For Public Worship and Regulate
Pensions TO Clergy-Cardinal Hion-
ara Awaiting Expulsion.


Paris. Dee f.. There has been +.
sued from the office Of the archbishop
ol Paris. Cardinal Richard. an import
ant communication which %n laciii.
tate way out OF the present church
difficulty This communication sets
forth that declarations made by lay
men relative to worship are not in Dis.
obedience To the instructions ol th'
pope. provided their purpose Is hon
estlv To avoid disturbances and admits
that such declarations do not infringe
upon the hierarchy of the churcr as
the Vatican has only forbidden a rey-
men to carry ont the required legal
formalities
This recognition Of the layman's
right TO make a declaration will per
nit Of the carrying on Of worship in
accordance with the law. but In the
meantime the church officially main
tains its position of not submitting to
the state.
4 number of additional applications
to hold meetings under the law of 1851
were made in this city and in the de-
partmcnis during the day.
The cabinet me. with President Fal'
Heres in the chair. To decide upon new
church legislation to be- presented 10
parliament. The steps o. bee taken age
of a ye9ry sweeping character n Is
proposed 10 amend the law of 1908.
providing for tho separation of church
and state. Boy which years grace was
allowed before the permanent alien
alton of the church property. and To
suppress the privilege of forming new
cultural or diocesan associations dur
ing that period.
All church property including the
seminarics. will be- Immediately hand.
cd over 10 the state to the depart
monts and 10 the communcs. under
conditions insurIng that the churches
themselves will be retained for reli-
gious uses. The continuance Of public
worship will be provided for under a
combination OF the laws Of 1881 and
| 1901.
With regard to the pensions and al
lowances OF the clergy distinctions viii
be made by which those who are emit
tied 10 pensions will lose their rights
if they are deprived of their French
citizenship. while those who are entl-
tied TO allowances will lose them II
they do not conform with the law.
The conditions under which the clergy
will forfeit their French citizenship
will be drawn up in special measure
to be prepared later.
During the meeting OF the Radical
Left VI. Lockroy cnergetically opposed
any measure designed To rob French
men Of their citizciship.' pointing out
that it would establish a precedent
which could be used Tor the purpose OF
reprisals if the rcactionaries ever got
the upper hand.
The first day of the regime Of the
separation OF church and state having
passed without grave disorders. public
interest in the details Of the continua-
ton of the struggle is already visibly
tagging. II Is now apparent that the
resistance of the clergy will be purely
passive and that there is no prospect
of religious passions being aroused un'
less the churches are closed.
Cardinal Richard is awaiting eXpul-
sion from the episcopal mansion The
government. however desires to avoid
even the appearance Of force in the
case Of the aged prelate. who is III. and
is postponing action in the hope that
he will depart in a few days of his own
volition.