Evening star., 1926-08-09
CATHOLIC ANNEXES
AND POSSESSIONS
SEALED BY MEXICO
All But Actual Places of Wor-
ship to Be Held Pend
ing Agreement.
REST OF CHURCH SCHOOLS
LIKELY TO BE CLOSED
Episcopacy Declares Respect for
All Laws But Those Considered
Violating Rights.
BY the Associated Press.

MEA1CO 0lI1, August S-All
Catholic Church "anneXes" and all
church valuables. except actual places
of worship, have been placed under
government seal throughout Mexico
until the present controversy between
the Mexican government and the
Roman Catholic episcopate is settled.
it was announced today by the de
partment of the interior.
The Mexican government began
taking over these places. where
church possessions are stored US SuuE
as the governments new rcligiou,
regulations went into effect. at mid
night July 81 ami the Catholic priests
ceased to perform their offices in pro
test.
The men and women arrested SeV
eral days ago on a charge of plotting
against tho life of President Gales
because of his uuyieldInG attitude i'll
the religious controversy were dis
charged today. Police officials an
nounced that no evidence iustifying
their being held for trial had been
found.
Methodist Case to lie Revived.
The Catholic EpiScopdtc issued
statement declaring its respect for
Mexican laws and the constitution.
except as they violate The positive
rights of the church. The statement
also expresses the hope that a sus
gested congressional enactment of
new religious regulations he done in a
liberal spirit and not To offer another
obstacle to Il settlement.
1t was stated today that the Mexico
III
pending since 1920 seeking to have
declared national property two native
Methodist churches IN Mexico City.
1t was not thought that the court
action would affect the general stu
alton. since the government has
claimed ownership for more than 60
years of all church property, which
it maintains the government merely
lends to the congregations.
Mexico CityS second SUNDAY under
the new religious regulations passed
quietly. the city'h life proceeding quite
as usual Good crowds attended the
bull fights and motion picture theatcrs
although not in as large numbers as
generally.
Replies 10 Statement.
The Catholic episcopatc today gave
a statement to the ASSocia ted Press
in reply to one issued i'll San Fran
cisco by Aaron SaenZ, Mexican min
lister of foreign affairs. Scnor Saenz
declared there was no persecution be
ing carried out by the Mexican gov
ernment, but that the attitude of a
"Subversive character" that the diff
ferent religious elements had been as
Stunning in Mexico compelled the gov
ernment to enforce the provisions of
the Mexican law dealing with reli-
giouS affairs.
Several times we have announced.
and at present we are S.ad to de-
clare to the American people" says
the statement. that as a duty of con-
science we respect. and teach our peO-
pie to respect, all fundamental laws
of the country and all laws which are
not opposed to the dictates of reason
and the positive rights of the church.
But regarding those secondary prin-
cipleS. contrary to that liberty of
thought which the Mexican constitu-
ton itself proclaims, it is impossible
for us to accept them without amend
ment.
ITO do otherwise would be treason
to ourselves, and would place the
Mexican constitution in Il ridiculous
position"
Protestant Churches Open.
Official announcement that the gov
ernment intended TO enforce the reli-
gious regulations upon Protestant
churches just as upon Catholic
churches has had little outward effect
Mexico City's two Protestant churches
garfield out the usual services yeSter-
day and no move was made to inter
fere with them.
Goodly numbers OF worshipers en-
tered the priestless Catholic churches
for prayers. Tranquility prevailed
everywhere. No disorders were re
ported from any part of the republic
The Catholic episcopate gave no
sign of abandoning it's passive oppo-
sition. The government on it's part
with equal firmness maintained that
it must enforce the constitution of
the country.
The people for the most part seem
resigned and willing patiently to
await developments in the situation.
Meanwhile many of them are reduc
ing their expenditures in accordance
with the economic boycott called BY
the National League for Defense of
Religious Liberty, hoping to bring
about depression in business condi-
tiOnS OF sufficient scope to cause the
government to modify it's religious at
titude.
Pastors Must Register.
With regard to Protestant churches
it is explained that the government
in announcing that IT would enforce
the law as 1t applies to al churches
does not mean that the government
will Immediately seize or convert
Protestant church property TO it's own
uses, but will reserve the right to do
so in the future under the contention
that all church property belongs TO
the nation.
All Protestant pastors will be re
quired to register and give to the
municipal authorities an inventory
of all church property, but each con.
gregation will be allowed to use this
property.
II is the belief of the Catholic
epiScopate that several government
leaders have been automatically ex-
communicated from the church by
reason Of their attitude in the re-
ligious controversy This opinion was
expressed in a statement made by
the episcopate to question submit
ted by DIR. Alva Taylor, s-iitor of
the Christian Century. in the
United States. who is at the head of
group of American ministers and