The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-01-28
SATURDAY. JANUARY 90, 1911.
SPAIN AND THE VATICAN.

The situation in Spain continues
acute. The relations between the
government and the Vatican show
no signs of Improvement. The
difficulties are for from an AMIGA
BILE adjustment if recent events in
Spain be taken as an indication of
the attitude of the Spanish au-
thorities towards the Holy See.
The secular press places the
blame for these strained relations
on the Vatican. This must be at
triuted to the campaign of mis-
representation carried on by the
press agents of Premier Canelejas.
They have persistently misrepre-
sented the sentiments of the Span
ish people towards the Holy See
and have tried to convince the
world that the intolerance Of the
Church of Rome is responsible for
all that has transpired in the land
of the Cid. So generally have
these erroneous statements been
scattered abroad that it is difficult
to know the real state Of affairs.
Without entering into details, it
may be said that the orr ginal cause
Of the trouble must be sought for
in the disregard shown by the
Spanish government for the terms
of the COncordat which has here
tofore governed the relations be-
tween Spain and the Vatican.
The compact freely entered into
by both parties defined the status
Of the Church and her rights in
Spain; and makes liberal conces-
sions to the Spanish government
in it's dealings with the Church.
The Concordat is, therefore, a sol
emn pact which is to be observed
loyalty by both parties to it.
The Vatican has always shown
a willingness to negotiate the
questions that have arisen from
time to time regarding the pro-
visions Of the Concordat. When
Premier Moret wished to restrict
the number Of religious orders in
Spain, the Vatican was not unwil-
ling to discuss the matter in a
friendly spirit and to abide by the
decision But when Senior Can
elejas succeeded Moret as Prem
Ter, he, without consulting the Va
tican, took measures to limit the
number Of religious orders. This
violation of the terms Of the Con
cordat naturally displeased the
Roman authorities and, as a mat,
ter Of course, all negotiations were
suspended. How could the Vati,
can do otherwise? It could hard.
ly be expected to enter into a dis.
cussion of the very matter which
had already been definitely dis
posed Of by the Spanish govern.
ment. Furthermore, it is evident
that Canelejas was not sincere in
his professed desire for an under
standing with the Vatican. This
is shown by his action in securing
the passage Of the so-called "Pad
lock Bill" prohibiting the intro
duction Of any other religious or
ders into Spain during the mex
two years.
One would think that Spain wa
overrun with religious. AS mat
ter of fact it has fewer in proper
ton to it's population than mos
European countries. Belgium ha
SO religious for every 10000 in
habitants; England has 80; Ger
many, 20; Ireland, q; while SPAN
has only &c. The pretended
alarm about the increase in tn
number of religious in Spain i
nothing but shallow pretext t.
cover anti-clerical animus.
This becomes more evident whe1
we consider what the monks ant
nuns have done and are doing 70
Spain They provide free school
ing for 133,991 children of al
classes, while in the free publ
schools only 5,821 children are ed
ucated. They serve the sick with
out compensation in Ill hospitals
and for a mere pittance in 80
others; while 1,503 sisters atten
the sick in their own homes. TIL
Little Sisters Of the Poor and sin
liar congregations support nearl