Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-23
Church PEACE DUE
SHORTLY IN MEXICO
Gales Terms Pave Way to
Resume Services Unless Un-
foreseen Hitch Arises.
By the Associated Press.

MEXICO CITY, August IA
settlement of the controversy be-
tween church and state seemed today
to be imminent. Unless unforeseen
obstacles are encountered it is likely
that services in Catholic churches
throughout the republic. which have
been discontinued for three weeks,
will be resumed In n short time.
A conference of Bishop Diaz of
Tabasco, secretary of the Catholic
episcopate: Most Rev. Leopoldo Ruiz Y
Flores, Archbishop Of Michoacan. and
President Gales at the Chapultepec
Palace was truly satisfactory" says
a statement by the episcopate.
The prelates were Informed by
President Gales that the requirement
contained in the new religious regu-
lationS that priests should register
with the government authorities was
made purely for administrative pur-
poses and that it was not the intention
of the government to interfere with
the church on questions Of dogma.
Declaration Is Accepted
The episcopate has accepted this
declar ration, and ii Is announced that
as soon as the churches have full
filled the legal requirements there
will be no further objection to resum-
Ing church services.
II is not the intention of the epis-
copate, however, to abandon Its in
tention TO seek through the new Con
gress, which will convene early next
month, TO have the religious clauses
In the constitution amended so that
the church may function unhindered
by them.
The reception of the two prelates
by President Gales is described as
having been cordial. A statement Is
sued by the episcopate says the diff
ferent phases of the religious situa-
ton were made clear during an in
terchange of impressions.
The belief was general today that
as soon as details were adjusted there
would be an end to the economic boy
colt and a resumption of normal re-
ligious life.
Economic Losses sF'eH.
The fact that Catholic merchants
and manufacturers, facing ruin. had
urged compromise in order to pre-
vent further losses through the eco
nomic boycott Of the League for De
Tense of Religious Freedom, and that
flnanciers had informed the govern.
ment that Mexican credit abroad was
being menaced, are believed to have
had large share in the develop
ments.
A special committee. headed by
Archbishops Mora V del Rio and con-
sisting of 10 archhishops and bishops
here from various parts of Mexico
is studying carefully the future course
of the Roman Catholic episcopate in
the present religious controversy with
the government
The committee is Centering atten-
ton in the developments of the past
few days, especially the turn that
the situation has taken as a result
of the conference on Saturday night
between President Gales and Arch
bishop Ruiz Flores and Bishop Diaz.
Reports Made to Vatican.
1t is understood that the committee
has been sending detailed cable com
munications to the Vatican through
Mgr. Caruana at Havana. the papal
q legate who recently was expelled from
Mexico. Any action by the episcopate
concerning the registration Of priests.
as required by the new religious regu-
lation, and resumption Of church serv-
ices is believed to depend on the
Pope's reply.
A considerable time may pass before
Congress acts one way or the other
upon the religious clauses. Conse-
quently the public is centering it's
hopes upon the possibility that the
episcopate will resume church serv-
ices as a result of President Gales
assurance that the registration of
priests is only for administrative pur-
poses and that the government does
not purpose TO interfere with religious
dogmaS.
Although the episcopate will not
take any action on the economic boy
colt which was ordered by the League
for the Defense of Religious Liberty,
some in close touch with the situa-
ton think that the league will aban-
don the boycott whenever the episco-
pate orders church services to be re-
sumed. In other quarters, however,
there is fear that the league may at
tempt to maintain the boycott until
congress amends the constitution, an
act which would continue the present
business distress for some months and
possibly longer.
Militant Factions Exist.
There exists what might be called
militant element among the Cath
ollcs who favor continuing the boycott
epiSCopdte's statement describing Sat
urday nights conference with Presi-
dent Gales as truly satisfactory" as
too optimistic. This element will be
satisfied with nothing except a conclu-
sion that can definitely be proclaimed
Catholic victory"
Persons close to leaders of both the
eplscopate and the government. how
ever. assert that the essential spirit of
the conference between President
Gales and the prelates would lead to
an agreement preserving their mutual
dignity without neceSsitating that
either party be declared conqueror or
conquered.
There are also some elements with
in the government itself who are OPP
posed to anything except a clear-Cut
government victory. whereby the
church would accept the religious
regulations without qualification. 1t is
realized that either these or other I'M
foreseen factors may Illustrate
speedy settlement, but. unless Presi-
dent Gales or the episCopate alters the
attitude which each maintained at
Saturdays conference ii is felt that
the prospects continue favorable.
HNEC OM 1000 NANATInM