The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-09-11
Continues from page -
CATHOLIC RENAISSANCE IN
FRANCE.

Will this Catholic renaissance en-
dure? The converts themselves say
that it will, and everyone is con-
WINGED of it, not only the clergy, not
only the Catholics, but also their
enemies, as seen in the warning of
the militant Socialist to LHumanite
1t will endure because it rests upon
a Christian foundation, serious and
solid, and was occasioned by blow
so terrible, so general and prolonged
that it has made a profound impress.
sion.
What of the Future?
The Catholic renaissance in France
is, therefore, certain. But what will be
it's consequences? What forecast
may we make? AS far as it is pos
sible to reckon the future by the pres,
ent, judging by what we see and hear
at the present time, we have reason to
assert that the changed point of view
in France will produce a complete
change in the religious situation
when the war is over. 1t is already
spoken of everywhere, and especially
among the working people. 1t is the
universal cry. Henceforth France will
not give place to an anti-religious pol
icy. Assuredly the sectaries-the in.
imical minority not disarm. One
should not be astonished to see them
open an active campaign against
Catholics. Formerly, by means OF
skillful calumnies, they might have
drawn in their wake the whole mass
of indifferents. But today that great
mass is no longer Indifferent; that is
the major point. By means of the
war, it has formed religious opin.
ion. Most of the thousands of sol.
diers who during days never to be
forgotten, have lived with the priest
and with death, believe and practice
their religion today; even those who
have not found faith and piety, have
only sympathy and respect for priests
and religion; there is not one among
them who would favor an anti-clerical
policy; not one who would permit it
1t would be like firing on their com
rades in the trenches.
"The Compact of Thanh"
Whatever may be the personal con
victions of those in power now, they
will have to conform to the spirit OF
the country or resign their places te
others. In this respect the govern
ment is the prisoner of events anC
must obey them. France is practic
ally Catholic again, and Alsace-Lor
raine, in becoming French, insists
upon keeping it's religious liberties
On that side, also, the government
will be obliged to respect Catholic
belief: every patriot will see to it
This is already understood. What is
called 'the compact of Thanh" is nov
an historic fact. On the twenty-nintI
of November, 1914, in the little towr
of Thanh, under the tricolor flag o.
reunion, General Joffre announced tt
the Alsatians, in the name of the gov
eminent: France brings to you with
the liberties she has always respect
ed, respect for your personal liberties
the liberties of the Alsatians, of yeul
traditions, of your convictions, o
your customs"
A few months later, on February
"a, 1915, at Saint Armain, Presiden
Poincare, in the presence of all tn,
Alsatian mayors of that neighbor
hood, solemnly repeated and confirm
ed the declaration of Thanh. He pre-
sided at a class in a public schoo
taught by Sisters; he decorated Re
hgious who had done nothing more
than educate children. 1t has, there
fore, been solemnly announced ant
accepted that Alsace is to have relig
ious liberty liberty of instruction
liberty of worship, normal relations
with Rome. And these same liberties
would they be denied on the othe,
side of the Vosges? Would there b.
two Frances: an Alsatian Catholi,
France and another non-Catholi,
France? Is this likely? Is it posi-
bic with the new state of mind? Fol
instance, in the future will not tn,
current flow irresistibly towards re
newed diplomatic relations with thu
Vatican, will not all allow themselve.
to be carried along by it gently ant
noiselessly?
Government to Rebuild Churches.
Furthermore, many signs point to {
religious peace. To the pastors o.
Meurthe and Moselle, the project, NJ
Mirmon, who up to that time hat
| passed for an anti-clerical, stated
plainly: 1--WE will rebuild you
churches" And when M. Poincart
visited the places devastated by thu
Germans, he approved M. Mirmon'i
speech and confirmed his promise
The government will rebuild thu
churches! There was time when i
talked of closing them: but we are ;
long way off from that The exeeu
ton of the laws against the Congre
cations is stopped. Who would dream
of taking it up again? Who would
wish to exile again those who rushed
to their country's defence?
The war has united the French
When the President of the Republic
went in person to express to the bonn
barded city of Arras the affectionat.
sympathy of the country, he was seer
walking in the street between bishop
and project. May we not see in thii
a symbol of reconciliation? May W,
not say with reason of Catholi,
France the words which come to tn,
| lips when. after the winter. one see,