The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-12-19
JUSTICE TO FRANCE.

There is marked disposition
on the part OF many Of our Cath
Ollie exchanges to give undue
prominence to everything that
can be construed into a semblance
of persecution of the Church or
the part of the French govern
ment. This is manifestly unfair
in view of the fact that the gov
eminent is doing all that can be
reasonably expected of it to
atone, so to speak, for it's conduct
towards the Church during the
past decade of years.
The latest charge against the
French government is that it has
neglected to make adequate provi-
sion in the way of religious minis
trations for the soldiers and has
deprived the wounded in hospitals
of an opportunity to practice
their faith and receive the con
ISOLATION OF religion.
We have already referred to the
number Of priests in the army
both as chaplains and as pri.
Yates in the ranks, as well as to
the effort made by M. Millerand
Minister of War, to provide re
ligious ministrations for wounded
and dying soldiers in the military
hospitals. It is true, that Miller
and's first circular forbade the
distribution of scapulars, medals
and other religious insignia among
the troops, but this was not in
tended to deprive the Catholic
soldiers Of the right to receive
possess and wear publicly these
religious emblems, but to prevent
the indiscriminate distribution OF
them to all, whether Catholic OF
non-Catholic. 1t was intended tc
safeguard the religious neutrality
of the government as well as the
liberty Of conscience of the indivi
dual. That it did not deprive
Catholic soldiers Of the privilege
of possessing these objects of piety
is amply attested by the fact thai
they wear medals and scapulars
going into battle.
But if the first circular of the
Minister Of War was so carefully
worded as to give rise to ambigui
ty, the second circular makes i
plain that the government has NJ
intention Of interfering with the
liberty Of conscience of the in
dividual. On the contrary, i
guarantees to all, both Catholic
and non-C Catholic, fullest freedom
in this regard and allows priests
to minister to Catholics, or to al
supposed to be Catholics, withOu-
interference on the part of those
in command. 1t makes no hin
drance to the establishment o
chapels in hospitals and allows
priestly ministrations to thu
wounded and dying as well a
burial obsequies conducted in &C
cOrdance with the ceremonial O.
the Church. 1t calls upon com
manding officers to interpret AM
apply this circular in the spirit o
concord, moderation and toler
ance which dictated it ant
which, under all circumstances
ought to govern their acts in tn
same manner as it inspires the de
cisions of the government itself
The best proof Of the attitude O
the French government toward
the Church is shown i'll the mum
Der of Bishops and priests founC
| among the troops; OF Sisters min
istering to the wounded in fielt
and hospital; and of soldiers hur
rying to hear Mass whenever al
opportunity is afforded them, anC
wearing the emblems OF their re
ligion on the firing line.
Who shall say that this is no
the prelude to d new era i'll tn
history of the Church Of France
What the final outcome may be
the future alone can tell. In tn
meantime, it is the duty Of all VIII
wish to see a better understand
ing between the French govern
ment and the Church to do moth
ing to jeopardize the effort
which the government is now max
ing to show how well disposed i
is towards the Church.