The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-05-20
THE LATEST LAW OF SEPA
RATION.


Those who are familiar with the
recent Law Of Separation enacted
by the Provisional Government Of
Portugal, are not surprised that it
has received the unqualified con-
demnation of His Holiness, Pope
Plus x. It would seem that those
who were instrumental in framing
the law were moved by malice
towards the Church, as it aims at
depriving her of all her natural
rights. 1t is far worse in every
way than the French Separation
Law, and fully bears out the es-
innate Of it given a few days be-
fore it's PRONUNCIATION by Alfonso
Costa, the Minister Of Justice, who
declared that it is destined Sin
two generations to render Portu-
gal immune from Catholicism
Some Of the most drastic provi-
sions of this law are summarized
as follows in the current issue Of
"Rome':
"Public worship is to be exer-
cised not even by cultural associa-
lions but by Associations Benefic-
enze, which are purely civil socie-
ties, and from which all priests
and bishops are rigidly excluded!
Churches, both those existing at
present and those that may be
built in the future by the free
offerings of the people, are to pass
to the State without any compen-
sation after ninety-nine years. At
least one-third Of the money raised
for the purposes Of religion is to
be devoted to public benefcence.
Except in churches and cemeteries
it is forbidden to expose in any
public place, even on the facades
of private houses, any sign or en-
blem Of religion. One Of the arti-
cles of Chapter V runs thus: Not
only is the Government the owner
of all existing churches, of which
it leaves as many as it thinks nee
essary for religious purposes, but
by law all the churches which
have belonged to the Jesuits can
no longer be used for worship and
they will be turned by the gov
eminent to other uses. -
Furthermore, no priest educated
in Rome is allowed to exercise his
ministry in Portugal; associations
organized solely for the purpose
of fostering religion and piety are
forbidden; children are not allow
ed to assist at any religious exer-
cises during school hours and these
hours may be so arranged as to
prevent their attendance at any re-
}ligious service; the DEGREES or 9TH
er acts Of the Pope, or Of the Bish-
ops, must not be published to the
faithful in church, or in any place
used as church, or even printed
in newspapers or separately, until
they have been presented to the
Minister of Justice who may, at
his pleasure, refuse to give the re-
quired permission for their pro
mitigation.
In view Of these unjust and mi
quitious regulations aimed at the
destruction Of the, Catholic Church
in Portugal, what can the Holy
, Father do but place upon them
the bann of his severest condemna.
ton? From our European CORE.
spondent we learn that. on May 4
, the Bishops of Portugal, with the
exception Of the Bishops Of COIN.
J bra and Of Braganza, who are toe
i'll to travel, held meeting under
: the presidency Of the Patriarch Of
: Lisbon, for the purpose Of decid
{ ing upon the course to be pursued
/ in regard to the Law of Separa
ton. It was unanimously decided
3 Ito address communication to the
Provisional Government before
E taking any steps to issue pastor
) al to the people of the different
7 dioceses. This Joint letter will ex
: press the conviction of the Bish
ops that the Law of Separation
/, cannot be accepted by them on be
/ half of the Catholics of Portugal
q in as much as it is nothing but al
S attack on the dignity of tn,
t Church and the fundamental prin
: ciples of religion. The Bishop,
I propose to await the reply of tn,
/ Government to this protest befor,