The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-15
PRIESTS FORCED TO
MARRY IN MEXICO
Catholic Clergymen Tell Lam
sing Carranza Has Broken
Pledge to U. 8.
TELL OF NEW CRUELTIES

WASHINGTON. Dec. 14.-Declaring that
Carranza has violated every pledge give
by him to the American Government se-
garding guarantees of religious liberty
Mgr. Francis G. Kelley. president OF the
Catholic Church Extension Society. and
the Rev. Thomas v. Shannon editor OF
the Nep World. called on Secretary Lam
sing to-day and laid before him details
OF hardshlps imposed on priests. nuns
and members OF the church since the
First Chief was recognized.
According to the Information presented
to Mr.. Lansing. priests in certain sec
lions of Mexico have been orderde. unde
pain Of exile. to violate their vow and
marry. Others have been required 10
cast aside their clerical garb and dress
In peon blankets.
At u~uadalajara the Catholic Univer-
sity n the chapel were partially de-
Htroyed. Catholic women In More Ia
have been refused pei mission 70 20 to
confession and in the same State "A Cath
Ollie cathedral has been turned into a
headquarters for the Obrero Mundial "A
Mexican organization corresponding to
the Industrial Workers of the World in
this country.
His Pledges Ignored.
Although Cafranza gave pledges TO the
United States that no would guarantee
religious liberty as u condition OF his
obtaining recognition from the Cni.ed
States and tho six Latin American Pow =
ers. Mgr. Kelley told Mr.. Lansing that
not tae slightest vestige of such religious
freedom has been granted. On the rom
trary. he declared that Carranza's Gov
ernors in various States were issu! ig
arbitrary DEGREES against the Catholics
whenever it pleased them.
He reminded the Secretary of State
that the latter, six weeks ago, had sug-
gested to Father Shannon an appeal to
Carranza, through Eliseo ~Arrendondo, the
new Mexican Ambassador to the United
States. Although such an appeal was
made and although Arredondo expressed
much sympathy. no relief. Mgr Kelley
said. has resulted.
According to the two priests Secretary
Lansing manifested mucn sympathy
during the conference and promised TO
do what he could to bring about an i'm
promevent In the situation.
From letters which we have received
at Chicago and San Antonio" said
Father Kelley. we know that anti-re-
being issued.
For example. in YucAtan. the Gov
ernor has ordered all priests tn larry
and to work eight hours a day In the
public offices or h. expelled. In the
north clergymen have been made inca
pable Of owning any property. Even
their homes are to he taken from them.
The homes Of the clergy in Mexico are
not the property OF the Church. as In
the United States. but represent the
savings of priests.
wOmen's Plea Refused.
"In Guadalajara the university and
the chapel nave been partially destroyed
Tn. faculties Of law and medicine have
been suppressed. In Morelia II personal
appeal to Carranza by Catholic women
asking him to suppress the decree
against the sacrament OF penance was
refused. They even have gone SO far
as to forbid clergymen from wearing
o~vercoats. They must dress in poems
blankets.
"All this has been done since tbs
pledge was made for religious liberty
and all absolutely against the Consti'
tuition Of Mexico. Before recognition the
Department Of state insisted OF having
the religious liberty pledge, II Car
~ranza's representatives gave II. Yet ir
spite Of the fact that Mexican repre-
sentatives have stated that there Ia NJ
ceason why the clergy cannot go back
PASSPORTS have been refused them.
Most OF the new DEGREES have beer
issued by individual Governors and tn,
question arises can C%arranza contro
these Governors. Frankly I do not thinl
he can. | want to emphasize the fac
that this is not legislation to which WI
object. but arbitrary DEGREES.
six weeks ago at Secretary Lansing
suggestion Dr. Shannon saw Mr.. Are
dondo, who Informed him that there was
no reason why the clergy who had beer
expelled should not go back TO Mexico
and expressed the belief that the re
ligious troubles Of Mexico could III
Strengthened out"
Mgr. Kelley denied that the Catholi'
Church was in politics IN Mexico.
asked whether the Catholic Churcl
in Mexico and this country would eve
resign itself to Carranza as head OF tn
Government In Mexico he declared tina
with the Catholics 1t was "A question Q
principles. not men"
our talk with Mr.. Lansing has mad,
us very hopeful that he will do something
to put an end to these outrages. Jus
what ne did not indicate"