New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-16
FRENCH BISHOPS TASK.
HARD PROBLEMS TO FACE.
Texan archbishop lids Scheme 10
Found National Church.

Paris, Jan. 1.-THE French epscopate. eighty
prelates being present opened :ts special session
to-day at the Chateau de p Muetie. Hundreds
OF persons surrounded :na walls 81 The famous
cd structure. huilt for the Duchess de Berry
daughter OF Philippe Dake Of Orleans who
Regent of France from 1915 TO 1923; TO witness
the assembling of the ecclesiastics.
After q service in the chapel Of the chateau
and singing the ''veni. Creator the cardinals.
srchbiskops and bishops under the presidency
ot Cardinal Lecot. opened The business of the
day by choosing four commissions. which will
discuss:
First-The questions in connection with wor-
ship, which must remain public for the present,
Monsignor Dadoe. the Bishop of Dion, hav-
ing brought a formal order from Rome not 10
consider the contingency of private worship.
Second-The question Of funds
Third-The support of the clergy.
Fourth-The seminaries and primary schools
The first act OF the assembly after being called
10 order was 10 send telegram TO the Pope
surfing the Pontiff Of the fidelity and obedience
of the French Church.
The answer of the French bishops in reply to
the Pope's question as to what attitude the
Episcopate would adopt in case Of further pros
ecutions is reported to be as follows:
The development of events must be awaited.
in the mean while worship will continue pro-
risionally, without provocation and without
yielding No arrangements for the future Will
he made, and the laws Will be simply
ignored The parish priests Will leave their
churches only on compulson and on the advice
Of the bishop. The priests will not take the
initiative.
Cardinal Lecot. Archbishop of Bordeaux, said
10 the assembly that the Bordeaux association
could not continue to exist. although 1t had not
been condemned by the Pope
Within few days an attempt will be made TO
stsrt National French Catholic Church under
The leadership OF Henri des Houx. who In Sep
TENDER last tried TO organize the League of
french Catholics with the object of bringing
about the acceptance of the Separation law.
Archbishop ViIatte, OF Texas head Of the In
dependent Catholic movement In America, who
is now in Paris, has consented 10 lend his aid
and authority for the spiritual jurisdiction the
Church, whose services will be opened at a
chapel. near the Place de Clichy formerly be-
longing TO the expelled Barnabit Order. The
Cultural Associations formed under the direction
of NJ. des Houx will constitute the nucleus of the
new organization. AS any regular priests who
take part in the movement VIII promptly be
communicated. Archbishop Vilatte has agreed TO
ordain clergy and bishops. who Will be elected
by the Practitioners. The Archbishop explains
that the Latin dogma and ritual will be retained.
Only the authority and the infallibility OF the
Pope will be denied.
N. Des HouX is about to publish appeal 20
the French Catholics TO throw off the yoke Of
Rome" which he charges with engaging in
deep laid plots against the republic and with
responsibility for the Monarchist and Boulanger
conspiracies and for the Panama and Dreyfus
scandals There is much conjecture here wheth-
or the French government Will support the
movement form National French Catholic
Church.
Joseph Lasies, anti-Sernite. In a speech in the
Chamber of Deputies to-day. supporting his
Interpolation Of the government in regard to
the manner in which the latter had "confiscated
The property of the Church and the funds set
apart for pensioning the clergy" called NJ
BRAND. the Minister of Education, a Jacobin
and said that the government had brutalIy ex-
ceeded its powers.
Etienne Flandin. Republican, introduced a bill
sn the Chamber Of Deputies providing for the
repeal Of the sections OF the Law Of 1881 requir-
ing declaration in order hold public meet
1ngs This measure, which the government has
agreed not 10 oppose, is supplementary legisIa-
ZION, designed to put an end TO further prosecu-
lion of priests for celebrating mass.
me efforts or the opposition to reopen the
controversy with the Church had the effect OF
calling forth from the Chamber Of Deputies
further vote Of confidence in the government
and the violent attack made by NJ. Lasies upon
III. Brand lost its sting as result Of the as
surance given by the Minister of Education that
the government would continue to apply do
cesar funds for the sustenance of aged preach
ers NJ BRAND added that the Separation law
provided for priests in the way of pensions on a
basis more liberal than that which obtained in
any other country. The Catholics of France
the minister said, while they rejected other
clauses OF the law, accepted this portion of the
enactment Able Lernre thereupon introduced
q bill authorizing the transforrnat ton of do
cesar funds into privately administered mutual
aid societies, IT being the abbes intention 70
translate NJ. Brands verbal assurances into
law. His bill was referred TO committee