Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-31
Mexican Govt.
To Carry Out Law
Of 1917 Constitution

Mexico City. July 30.-[P)-The dra-
matte struggle between the Roman
Catholic church and the Mexican gov
eminent enters its crucial phase to-
morrow when the new government re-
ligious regulations, providing for the
reinforcement of the constitution of
1917. go into effect
President Gales and his government
have at their command the military,
administrative and judicial powers of
Mexico and the support of the confed-
Grafton of labor. The church has call
ed into use what has been described
as a partial interdict," dread meas
ure to the faithful, and is supported
by the National League for Defense
of Religious Liberty
The governments stand is that the
church and the state must be kept
separated and that the church must
stay out of politics. The churchs
stand is that it is being prosecuted by
a hostile government which is threat
ening religious freedom and that it has
not meddled in politics.
So far-reaching are the issues in
controversy that Pope Plus has APP
pealed to the faithful throughout the
world to raise their voice in prayer
for their Mexican co-religionists and
Mexican flock.
| The government regulations, in
brief, are as follows:
No foreign ministers of any re-
ligion may function in Mexico: church
ownership of property Is forbidden
and all such property reverts to the
state; religious instruction in schools
is forbidden: religious orders such as
converts and monasteries are forbid
den: priests and ministers are forbid
den to participate in politics or to hold
political meetings; to criticize thu gov
eminent or criticize and oppose the
constitution, laws or acts of the gov
eminent or to incite others to do so;
outdoor religious ceremonials and the
wearing by priests of their religious
robes outside of their churches or res
licences are forbidden: periodicals of a
religious nature are forbidden to com
nlent upon the government acts or to
print news concerning the actions of
the government.
Punishment may range from a fine
of 500 pesos, or Is days Imprisonment,
or both, up to six years imprison-
ment, or additional punishment" as
the court may care to impose. Trial
by jury is these cases is not provided
for.
Endorsements of these constitution
al provisions, which date back to the
constitution of 1857, has met with de-
termined opposition by the church.
Archbishop Mora Del Rio has issued
an order to all priests not to perform
their Offices after midnight tonight,
when the regulations go into effect.
The League for Defense of Religious
Liberty has issued an appeal for an
10 u - ieto
tests against the governments atti-
rude.
Hundreds Of thousands of Mexico's
10. 600, 900 or more Catholics, startled
by the news that priests, acting under
orders of their archbishops, will cease
functioning in protests against the
regulations have been 1ocking to half
hourly masses in the 1000 Catholic
churches throughout Mexico. Bap-
tisms, combinations. marriages and
other priestly functions have been per-
formed by the thousand in the past
few weeks. Rarely has country seen
such a wave of religious attendance.
The governments answer is that it
will not be sWerved from its course
and that it will stamp out any at
tempts to weaken enforcement of its
regulations. In this it has the support
CT the Confederation of Labor and its
affiliated unions who last night as
sured President Gales of their ap-
prevail of his attitude.