Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-26
CATHOLIC LEADERS
IN MEXICO FACE
SED|T|ON CHARGES
Pastoral Letter Asks People
to Seek Change in Con-
stitution's Clauses.
GALES SAYS BOYCOTT
!. SUPPORTERS WILL FAIL
Declares Government Will Enforce
Rules Against Politically Am
bilious" Elements.
By the Associated Press.

OH AHNOSIl6dliUI vi d puSlOI ACItCA
issued yesterday under the signatures
of archbishops and bishops.
The letter announced that begin
ming next Sunday no priests would
officiate at religious ceremonies in the
Catholic churches throughout Mexico
in view of the government intention
to put into effect its new regulations
of religious institutions.
The letter said that efforts would be
made to have the anti-religious pro-
vision of the constitution amended.
1t is the intention of the depart
ment of interior to determine if the
pastoral letter violates the constitu'
ton.
May Arrest SignerS.
If it is determined there has been
a violation the attorney general will
be notified and he can cite the signers
to the district court for examination
or order their arrest if he concludes
the facts justify such a step.
President Gales in lengthy state
ment to the newspaper predicts the
failure of the economic boycott
against Mexico by the National
League for the Defense of Religious
Freedom.
The President says the government
will determine whether this propa-
ganda was seditious. He declares
that in view of the fact that the
archbishop of Mexico City three times
has made known his intention to
oppose the constitution, the govern
ment cannot overlook the conditions.
at would be simple weakness If the
government were indifferent to what
might be dangerous disturbance OF
the peace" he said.
Pastors to Name Committees.
II is announced that a committee
Of eight members of congregations
will be appointed by the priest of
each Catholic church to assume
charge of the churches July 81 at
midnight. when the priests cease
their religious duties and retire from
the churches under the instructions
contained in the pastoral letter. The
churches will remain open for Wor-
ship, but no priests will officiate.
Another Catholic leader Eugenio
Alcoor, president of the Association
for Nocturnal Alteration, has been
placed in jail He is charged with
supporting the economic boycott of
the National League for the Defense
Of Religious Freedom. One of the
leagues directors, Senior Viscarra,
72 hours pending an investigation.
The authorities have released under
bail of 5000 pesos each Senior Cara,
Senior Ceniceros Villareal and Senior
Bustos, directors of the league. who
were arrested last week charged with
having signed the leagues boycott
manifesto.
Orders have been issued TO the
judicial police of Mexico City and
throughout the country to search
residences where it is suspected sup
porters of the boycott and other
movements opposing the religious
regulations live.
Labor to Back Government.
The labor unions of the federal
district all of which belong to the
Regional Confederation of Labor, at
a meeting held to consider the re-
lisious situation announced their sup
port of the governments program
A committee was appointed at the
meeting to notify President Gales /
that the laborites were backing him |
in his policy of putting the religious |
laws into effect.
In his statement to the newspapers |
President Gales said:
THE purpose of the Catholic agita- |
tors will fail and will give definite |
evidence of their lack of strength. be-
cause Mexican economic life IS lnde-
pendent of groups of agitators, and
neither industry nor commerce sede-
pendent upon those responsible Tor
this ridiculous economic boycott move
ment.
s"The virile forces of Mexico have
always developed without allowing
themselves to be led by those who /
make use of religion for exhibition
purposes or profit These virile /.
forces, whether Catholics, Protestants
or of any other religious denomina-
ton, will not be affected by the
efforts of this evil-intentioned group. ,,
I'm order to form an opinion of i
the present religious situation, the i
president continued ''it is necessary !
to remember that Archbishop Mora |
Y Del Rio on three separate occasions /
made public his intention of opposing |
the Mexican constitution. The gov |
ernment could not overlook this be |
cause it would simply be weakness ii
the government were Indifferent TO !
what might be a dangerous disturb !
ance of the public peace.
Does Not Plan New Laws.
What can the government of any
county do he asked. when a |
X
publicly rejects the fundamental laws, |
announces its intention to fight such |
laws, and incites the people TO re- |
pudiate the constitution. MY govern !
ment can only demand strict obedi- |
ence of the constitution.
I'VE have had no need to pass new !
laws but merely to enforce already |
existing legislation--the reform laws |
of more than so years ago, and the |
1917 constitution-oniy issuing regu- !
lations establishing penalties.
"Such establishment of penalties |
is logically necessary; otherwise en-
forcement of the constitutional re-
ligious clauses, which the clergy itself /
admits ii has been violating, would |
be impossible.
We have prescribed penalties in /
accordance with the authority invested !
in US by congress. The penalties are |
not excessive and are no different |
from those fixed for violation of the \
constitution in all civilized countries.
THE government has clearly stated /
that our conduct, whatever our phil
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