The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
PLOT TO HUNT CHRIST
OUT Of FRANCE SAYS
CARDINAL GIBBONS

that time scarcely a year has passed
without some annoyance to the church
a series OF petty acts OF discrimination
that were bound In the long run TO call
for protest.
The protest came In the form OF a
personal letter from Pope Leo XIII TO
President Grevy In May. 1889, which was
answered courteously enough indeed, but
the answer was mere waste OF time
and paper so far as results were con-
cerned. In spite OF the pontlff's reason
able objections the injurious laws were
passed. As far as possible God and re-
ligion were bapished from the schools
| and hospitals. the oath deprived OF its
religious character and clerics impressed
| into the military service.
LAW OF ASSOCIATION.
Next in 1901 the law OF associations
| was passed-a law which as interpreted
and executed by Combes, caused untold
| misery to thousands. BY II the schools
| in charge OF religious men and women
were forced out of existence. The mem
bers of the different religious congre-
/ cations. not only male. but female as
| well. were sent forth, cast out upon the
world and Obliged either To exc out an
existence as best they could In their own
| native France or TO go into exile. Many
1 Oh lnem were ola men or Olu women WHO
had spent a lifetime within the convent
walls, and we're now driven out no longer
able TO begin a new career and with no
| means OF support.
Finally in December 1905, the con-
cordat was dissolved and separation of
church and state proclaimed.
ut is essential TO bear in mind that
| the concordat was a genuine contract
and that this contract was annulled by
one OF the parties OF the French govern
ment. with no regard to the wishes of
the other party. The sovereign pontif
was In no wise consulted and utterly
ignored in every stage of the proceed
ings.
PROPERTY RIGHTS IGNORED.
Perhaps the feature OF the situation
that will surprise us most and call for
our just indignation as Americans. Is
the French governments absolute dis
regard for the property rights OF the
church. She has been despoiled OF the
salaries granted TO the ministers of re-
ligion as compensation for the funds
which the church relinquished under
that expressed condition. We say IL
not in the heat OF passion, not as par
tisans, but simply as lovers OF justice.
What should we think II our own gov
ernment had seized on the friars' lands
in the Philippines without giving any
compensation; or after having pledged
solemnly a compensation should after
ward refuse 90 keep It's part OF the
contract?
I'm addition, the provision OF the new
law Qaw OF separation) entirely ignores
the constitution and laws of the church,
a situation that has no parallel in our
American method OF the keeping OF
church and state separate.
Here there Is due recognition OF the
laws governing every lawful society,
while under the recent French law pro-
visions are made for organizing Catholic
worship without any proper reference to
the duly authorized officers of the church,
the bishops and priests.
This is the point TO which the holy
father has objected most ,strenuously.
The provision for associations of worship
opens the way for schismatical organiza-
tions which have I'm fact in few cases
been already attempted. 1t places the
church at the mercy OF the judgment or
the council OF state, whose decisions In
these matters are final. Should the church
accept the present law she has before
her the very likely prospect OF gradual
extinction by due process OF law. She has
learned by long and sad experience to
place no trust in the promises OF the
French government. She knows the spirit
that animates IL.
TO DESTROY THE CHURCH.
"The law OF separation, II accepted, will
inevitably lead TO the destruction OF re-
ligious congregations.
IF the separation OF church and state
in France meant just what II means in
the United States there would have been
no such hue and cry raised against 4.
Very likely TO many IL would have been
by no means undesirable. But the sltua-
tons are not at all analogous.
"In proof OF this we have only TO point
TO the fact that on several occasions some
OF the leading French Catholic deputies
bluntly put the question:
why do you not give us separation
OF church and state such as exist IN
American
1T is not separation alone, therefore.
that the holy father is repudiating but
tyranny In the guise OF separation. Hence
II was imperative upon him 20 resist. For
the past 20 years and more the policy Of
the holy see and the French hierarchy
has been one of patience and concliation.
II was with the deepest regret and only
after all his conciliatory measures lad
failed that the pontff at length found
himself driven TO a course OF passive re-
sistance,
I'm choosing this course the holy father
did not run counter to the opinions and
wishes OF the French episcopate. A can
vaSs OF the situation has shown. that the
him. and all. without single exception,
have respected and obeyed his decision.
Nor were the French clergy at all behind
their leaders in manfesting their loyalty.
LOYALTY TO THE POPE.
This feeling has not been by any means
confined to France. The bishops OF Eng
land. Canada Italy and other countries
are In full sympathy with their brethren
In France and have not hesitated to give
strong expression TO their disapprovai -
the unjust law
For myself. have too much confidence
In the good OF the French clergy. In their
high mindedness. their zeal their courage.
their readiness TO suffer and 10 sacrifice
themselves, 10 believe that they will tame
ly allow religion 10 be strangled In
France; and have too much confidence
in the French nation TO believe. now that
they can see and realize the meaning OF
the measures taken and the animus OF
those behind them. that the natural feel
ings OF justice and humanity and the love
OF liberty will not arise in their hearts
and lead them to reject the leaders who,