The Catholic bulletin., 1917-09-22
HISTORY OF MEXICO.
BY Eber Cole Byam.
PART XXI.

The new Mexican Constitution"
adopted by the Liberal Assembly at
Queretaro in February last, declares,
among other things, that:
Article g. Education is free, but
that which is provided in the official
educational establishments will be
|non-sectarian Claica); likewise the
primary instruction, elemental and
superior, that is impaired in private
establishments. No religious organi-
zation, nor any minister of any cult,
may establish or direct schools of
primary instruction.
article 5. The State cannot permit
the fulfillment of any contract, pact,
or agreement which has for its object
the impairment, loss or irrevocable
sacrifice of the liberty of man, whether
by labor, education or religious vow.
The law, in consequence, cannot per-
NIT the establishment of religious or
ders, of any denomination, whatever
may, be the pretended object of their
creation.
.tArticle 6. Expression of ideas can
not be the object of administrative or
judicial inquiry, except when they
may attack morality, the rights of a
third party, provoke crime, or dis
turb the public order"
Here again we have the ambiguity.
The Liberals" claim that the Catho-
lie Church attacks morals, the rights
of others, provokes crime, and dis
turbs the public order.
article "a. Every man is free to
profess whatever religious belief best
suits him, and to practice the cere-
monies, devotions or acts of the
respective cult in the temples. or his
private house, provided the same does
not constitute an infraction of the
laws"
More ambiguity, for the States are
free to pass almost any laws their
Liberal spite may suggest.)
Every religious act of public cult
must be celebrated precisely within
the temples, which shall always be
subject to the vigilance of the au-
thorities."
(How would American Catholics
or Protestants-like that provision ap-
piled in the United States?)
ARTICLE q. Section 2. The re-
ligious associations denominated
churches, whatever may be their
creed, cannot in any manner have the
right to>acquire, possess or administer
real estate, nor any funds loaned upon
same; such property which they may
now hold, either in their own name,
or the names of other parties, shall
become the property of the Nation,
any person being authorized to de-
nounce any such property discover
able. Presumption will be sufficient
proof to warrant such announcement
Temples intended for public worship
are the property of the Nation, repre-
sented by the Federal Government,
which will determine the temples
that may be used for that purpose
Episcopal residences, parish houses,
seminaries, asylums or colleges be-
longing to religious associations; con-
vents, or whatever other edifces
which may have been constructed or
intended for the administration,
propaganda or teaching of any relig
ious cult, become at once the property
of the Nation, to be used exclusively
in the public service of the Fedora
ton or of the States within whose
jurisdiction they may be. Any tenn
pies erected in the future shall be the
property of the Nation
(In the foregoing we see the meas
ure taken to definitely make impos-
sible the recovery of stolen property
article q. Section 8. Beneficent
institutions, public or private, which
have for their object the aid of the
needy, scientific research, the diffu-
sion of learning, the material aid of
their members, or any other legitimate
purpose, cannot acquire, possess or
administer funds loaned upon real es-
tate which are placed for terms longer
than ten years. Under no circum-
stances may associations of this char
acter be subject to the patronage, di-
rection, charge or vigilance of any
religious association, nor of the min
lister of any cult, nor their connec-
,tions, even if these be not in active
service"
(How's that for Liberty and
"Equality?")
Article 1870. To the Federal power
belongs the. right to exercise inter
vention in matters of religious wor-
ship and external discipline as may
be designated by the law. Congress
cannot dictate laws establishing or
prohibiting any religion whatever"
dDoes that look like Separation of
Church and State?'s
"Matrimony is civil contract. This
and all other civil acts by persons
come under the exclusive control of
the authorities of civil order, in ac-
cordance with the laws, and will have.
the force and effect which these laws
give to them
(In other words, the State refuses
to recognize the validity of a Church
wedding.
The legislatures of the States will
only have the right to determine, ac-
cording to local need, the maximum
number of religious ministers. To