Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-03
Frances Religious Strife
Continued from Page one.)

for two classes of ministers of religion
who prior to the passage of the law
had been receiving salaries from the state.
One is for priests who are 60 years old or
over and who have served thirty years.
To them is offered for life a pension equal
to three-Quarters Of their salaries
Those priests who are over 40 and have
exercised their ecclesiastical functions
under salary from the government for
twenty years are entitled to a pension Of
one-half their salaries. In neither case,
however, must the pension exceed 1900
francs year.
All other ministers who draw salaries
from the government are allowed to re-
ceive for four years following the suppress
sion of the appropriation for public worship
an allowance equal 10 the full sum OF
their salary for the first year. TO two
thirds for the second, for one-half to the
third and to one-third for the fourth year.
in communes of less than 1000 inha Ditants,
and for ministers who shall continue to
exercise their functions, the duration of
the four periods indicated shall be doubled.
Applications tor pensions must be pre-
scented within a year.
Elaborate provisions are made for the
transfer of all tho church property
throughout France to the new associations
that may be formed. Thus far not more
than eighty priests have made the declara-
ton required under the law of 1851. and
not more than 100 associations have been
formed
When the enormous number of Catholic
churches In France is considered it will
be seen how the attitude of the Catholics
toward the law makes the task of enforc-
nj ffnnoGsibla nd
vice Of the pope they are offering a pas
sive resistance. which is expected to be
much more effective than violence or the
taking up Of arms.
Little or no blood has been shed since
the government started to enforce the
law, but the Catholics simply refuse to
obey its provisions. None of the priests
who have been arrested for saying mass
in churches without giving notice to the
officials has paid his fine, and all are de-
termined to serve their sentences in jail
as a mark OF their zeal for the old order
Of affairs.
The separation law DEGREES that meet
ings for public worship held in places be-
longing to an association or put at its dis
posal are public. They are relieved from
the formalities OF the law of 1881, but re-
main subject to the supervision of the
duthOIllle5 IN tue interest OF pubic Order.
They may take place only after a decla-
ration has been made indicating the place
in which they are to be held. A single
declaration, however, sufices for all the
regular. stated or special meetings that
shall be held during the year.
1t is forbidden to hold political meet
ings In places regularly used for public
worship, and ceremonies, professions and
other outdoor Observances OF religion shall
continue TO be regulated by the municipal
law. The ringing OF church bells shall be
regulated by municipal decree, and in case
OF disagreement between the mayor and
the president OF any association the matter
is TO be settled by decree OF the project.
Under article Is of the law IL Is
forbidden in future to erect or affix any
religious sign or emblem upon public mon
umsnts - In any public place whatever
with the exception OF edifces set apart for
religious worship. burial grounds, mOnu.
ments Of the dead. museums and exposi
tons Violations OF this article are pun.
ished by simple police penalties. The build
ings and listed movable objects shall bs
freely open TO the visits and inspection OF
the public without charge or fee.
Buildings set apart for public worship
which belong to the state. department OF
commune continue 70 be exempt from thu