New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-30
PAPAL OFFER REFUSED.
". BRAND Rejects Proposal Made
by the Bishops.

| Paris, Jan 2e-The response made tonight
by the Minister OF Education, NJ. BRAND. 20 the
declaration Of the bishops was short and unrnis-
takably clear. The Minister said: THE condi-
lions are unacceptable"
This rejection OF the proffered settlement was
expressed in the course of the debate in the
Chamber OF Deputies the new Public Meet
ings bill the first section Of which was adopted
by an overwhelming majority This bill pro-
vides for holding meetings Of all kinds at any
hour without previous declaration. The Extreme
Socialists made vain endeavOrs TO exclude re-
ligious services from the scope OF the bill, which,
they said was a concession 10 the Vatican. NJ.
BRAND, however, denied vigorously that he was
yielding to clerical pressure, and pointed out the
difficulties that would follow the exclusion of one
body OF French citizens from the rights granted
20 other bodies of citizens. He said that ne
always had been moderate and conciiatory. and
even generous toward the Church. and that he
had thereby obtained the support OF the coun-
try. When the Church. however entered upon
illegal paths he had changed his position. and
the Church suffered defeat.
The Minister then proceeded TO explain his
present attitude toward the decisions Of the
French Episcopate, saying:
The threatening tone and the brutality of
the declaration OF the bishops has struck me
as we'll as you. The conditions are unaccepta-
under which they were laid down The bishops
caused The Pope to adopt declaration admit
ting the possibility of an arrangement with the
local authorities in the matter Of the use OF
churches, which previously had been declared
impossible. That is not the position of a victor.
The government has placed the Church in a
legal position in spite of herself, and that DIFF
hculties have arisen and Will continue to arise
is not surprising The Cabinet will face these
difficulties, thanks TO the support Of the ma
1ority in the Chamber. The opinion Of this ma
jority is clear, even If the text Of the bishops
enactments is not.
The Bishop OF Grenoble. in communicating
the decisions OF the French EpiscOpate TO the
parish priests, instructed them to sign a draft
Of the proposed church lease, and then present
this draft to their respective mayors for cOun-
tersignature, demanding a response within
fOrty-eight hours. In this reply
favorable. the priests are told 20 take no fur
Their steps of any kind.
The proposal OF the French bishops. which
was submitted TO the government though in
vOlving a modification of the position taken
in the last encyclica had the appearance OF
an ultimatum The model contract offered pro-
vides for the virtual lease of the churches in
perpetuity TO the parish priests by the mayors.
the leases being for eighteen years and renew
able by their successors. The leases carry
stipulation engaging the communal municipal
and state authorities not TO interfere with tho
administration OF the Church and parish. are
invalid without the express ratification Of the
bishop. and become null the moment the parish
priest loses the bishops authorization. The
bishops must act together to insure the accept
ance OF the contracts everywhere or nowhere.
1t is made clear that no rent is 90 be paid and
that the contracts must cover all the religious
edifices IN France or none.
The report that Cardinal Richard has sum-
moned another meeting OF bishops is incorrect.