The San Francisco call., 1907-02-28
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
DEN0UNCE FRENCH LAWS
Adopt Resolutions Against
Oppression of the
Catholic Church

The Catholic church in France was
Rev. Charles A Ramm in st. Dominic't
Church Tuesday night, under the aus
pices of San Francisco Council No 615
knights OF Columbus. James R Keith
grand knight of the council, introduced
the speaker. Father Ramm gave an out
line of the history of the controversy
between church and state in France and
appealed to Christians of all sects to
lend their sympathy in the fight which
was being waged by the French church
for Christianity and liberty of con-
science He declared that the spirit OF
the French revolution which dethroned
religion was still rife in France and
was at the bottom OF the crusade
against the Catholic church.
To prove his contention Father
Ramm quoted as he said, Not the
vague mouthings OF ranters," but the
public utterances OF responsible men.
NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau had said that the
state must be supreme and the church
must be driven out Of the schools NJ.
BRAND, now Minister of Education, had
said that "the time had come to get
rid Of the Christian idea, which was
corrupting the minds of the youth.
Jesus Christ had been hunted out of the
government, out of the army and the
navy, and he must be hunted out of
the country" A member of the Senate
had said: The triumph of the Galilean
has lasted twenty centuries, and it is
now time for it to CO." The anti
Christian sentiment of the government,
said Father Ramm, showed itself in
everything, from the most petty
tyranny exercised over the private life
of the lowest government official to the
limitations of the privileges OF the
President, who could not publicly men,
ton the name of God and who must
avoid entering a church.
A large audience listened to Father
Ramm's address. 1t was evident that
the interest was very keen. Father
Plus Murphy, head of the Dominican
order; Father Sullivan, chaplain of the
council and the officers of the knights
of Columbus, were seated near the
altar railing The front pews were oc-
cupied by members of the lodge.
The following resolutions were read
by Past Grand Knight Neal Porter and
adopted by unanimous rising vote
Whereas. The republic OF France, in the en-
eSurch 0a M lns hss viisuiI % ostsS + 2.
fundamental principles of equity, Justice and
civic and religious liberty that should govern
property and in safeguarding mans inalienabie
right to worship his God according to his con-
science; and
Whereas, The wanton persecution Of the Cath
olfc hierarchy. clergy and faithful of France;
the ruthless expulsion and exile of the religious
orders and communities of the Catholic church
the suppression OF its seminaries; the forceful
closing Of its schools colleges and converts: the
connscation and spoliaton of its property; the
edinces. is a perndious reputation of the sacred
obligations OF the concordat and despotic and
arbitrary exercise Of the functions of organized
government; and
whereas The sovereign pontin, Plus Z, in
condemning and resisting this iniQuitous ''1aw
OF spoliation and confecation," alone stands
forth the gentle but fearless and determined
champion, not only Of his suffering children Of
the faithful, but OF the Christian people of the
throw Christianity In France; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That San Francisco Council No. 615
knights OF Columbus. does hereby soiemnly
pledge its most devoted loyalty and fealty to
his Holiness Plus X IN HIS irreyocable and
righteous determination to resist the tyrannous
oppression of the Catholic church and the un-
Just suppression of Catholic worship through
out France; and be II further
Resolved, That San Francisco Council does
hereby denounce and protest against the per-
secutory legislation and acts of the republic of
France as "a declaration Of war not only against
the Christian faith. but against all spiritual
IDEAS and a violation OF the individual rights
and personal freedom OF man.
The exercises closed with the bene-
diction of the blessed sacrament by
Father O'Rourke of the Dominican
order.