The San Francisco call., 1907-02-04
FRENCH CATHOLICS
RESENT SCH|sM
Tho asapds Exhib-o Hostility
to the Inauguration OF
an Independent Church
POLICE STOP TUMULT

PARIS. Feb. 3.-Only the presence OF
the police prevented a riot at the old
Barnabite Monastery, which has been
rechristened the Church OF, the Holy
Apostles. where the French Apostolic
Catholic church was inaugurated today.
The announcement of the attempt
to organize a schism has stirred up the
militant Catholics, who organized a
hostile reception with the intention of
breaking up the services. Handbills
were distributed, containing the words
of popular air, describing Archbishop
Vilatte, head of the independent Cath
olfc movement in America, as ap Ameri-
can monkey, whom NJ. BRAND. Minis
ter of Public Instruction and Worship,
desired to make a French Pope.
Thousands OF persons were outside
the church and the edifice was crowded.
Interruptions commenced as soon as
Father Roussin, pastor of the church,
began his sermon welcoming the repre-
sentatives of Catholic independents
and the @dawning of the day when the
church of Jesus Christ will unite in
Christian charity"
Then he thanked Archbishop Vilatte
for aiding the French Catholics in
establishing the first church, saying he
was consecrated by the patriarch of
Antioch, the successor of ST. Peter. A
shout in the rear of the edihce. He
is excommuncatedw was the signal for
general tumult. and Father Roussin
finally was compelled to ask that the
police be summoned.
About fifty persons were expelled
from the church and quiet was main
tanned until Archbishop vilatte ap-
peared on the altar in the robe and mi
ire OF an Archbishop. Instantly the din
began again with redoubled force, al
most drowning his words.
Nevertheless he continued, saying he
had been missionary for thirty-six
years, but no savage tribe had ever pre-
vented him speaking, and concluding:
Even to those who interrupt and revile
me, say l will not excommunicate.
wish you no i'll. God be with you
Amen"
A score or more of persons were then
elected before Archbishop Vilatte pro-
ceeded with the celebration of ponti-.
fcal mass, in which he observed the
Catholic rights. During the elevation
of the host. the militant Catholics, in
stead of kneeling, climbed into their
chairs In the meantime the police
had cleared the streets outside the
church and there were no demonstra-
tions as the congregation left.
Minister of Public Instruction and
Worship BRAND after lengthy consul
tations with Premier Ciemenceau and
Minister OF Justice GuyOl-DeSa1Bne, mas
taken a more extended stride toward
the solution of the church difficulties
than had been expected in the most op-
timistic quarters.
BRAND construes the recent enact
ments in the most liberal spirit, and
a circular marked urgent" and for
warded tonight to the projects of all
departments for communication to the
Mayor expresses this by recognizing the
Anfiro frQadnr71 of rx-ffh -
authorization of the municipal coun-
cfls, to grant leases of churches, rent
free,s to common law associations or
clergymen. the only restriction being
that the duration of a contract may
not exceed eighteen years without the
approval of the prefect. The lessee is
merely held responsible for all repairs.
while the essential condition is that
the edifice shall remain attached to the
sect by which it was sued before the
separation law became effective until
it is legally disahected.