Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-21
MEXICAN CATHOLICS
|. FLOCK TO CHURCH
Baptisms and Combinations
Reach High Figure as July
81 DeadIine Nears.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY. July 21.-Opposi-
ton to the new religious regulations
is being manifested among the
wealthiest people in society and
among the poorest Of the Indian
families
The Indians, alarmed over reports
that all churches may be closed, are
swarming in unusually large num-
bers into Catholic churches and hav.
ing their infants baptized and their
older children confirmed.
Prominent women are declining in
vitations to balls or are refusing to
dance If they attend. They make the
plea that their fellow Catholics are
in distress and it is incumbent upon
them to avoid pleasure as much as
possible. Recently at a ball given In
the American embassy by James r.
Sheffield, the Ambassador. certain
high American families q not at
tend. At a recent ball & en- by For.
eign Minister Saenz certain young
ladies who regarded their attendance
obligatory under the rules OF
etiquette declined to dance. 1t is
estimated that more than 1000 in
fants were baptized in the great his
toric Mexico City Cathedral within
LILO past WCGh anu lIIL li1GAO AAeNs1
been an increase of so per cent I'm
combinations in the churches of the
city generally.
Tramp Many Miles.
At the same time great increase
is reported in the number Of adult
worshipers at all masses, and also in
the number of individuals seen the
day long praying in the churches. A
large percentage of these worshipers
are Indians, barefooted or wearing
sandals and covered with blankets.
Often they tramp weary miles to
bring their infants for baptism and to
pray at some favorite shrine. Their
great black eyes are troubled and per.
picked. They do not seem to under
stand the situation, but they have
heard that their religion is in distress
and constantly they visit the cathe-
dral and churches in Mexico City, in.
voking the aid of their saints. Regu-
lations. which become fully effective
July 81, provide, among other things,
that only Mexican priests may offici.
ate at religious services; that all
church property shall be eonfscated
and that religious instruction may
not be given in schools.
Meetings for the discussion for pro.
cedure under the regulations are be.
ing held by the Knights OF Columbus
the Catholic Women's League, the
Young Mems Association and the Ma.
tional League in Defense of Religious
Freedom. There are some reports
that they will send a. delegation to
confer with President Gales to en-
deavor to have him ameliorate the
situation.
u. s. Issues Visas.
that such action will prove futile as
the idea prevails everywhere that
President Gales and the government
mean exactly what they say when
they declare that the law will be en-
forced to the letter.
United States Consul General Wad.
dell, acting under special authorize.
ton by the State Department at
Washington, has issued passport visas
to eleven Spanish and 8 French nuns
who within a week will proceed to
the United States. It is their desire
to leave Mexico before the new regula.
tons are put into effect. 1t is under
stood from reliable quarters that some
so TO so other French and Spanish
nuns who also could obtain United
States visas have decided to remain
in Mexico and await developments
They intend to leave their school and
cease all religious activity. They will
live in the homes of friends until
the situation becomes more definite
The instruction of Minister OF
Interior Ortega, calling for special
vigilance in the punishment of peri
odicals violating the regulation BY
making any comment on or carrying
any news of national political affairs
is causing considerable speculation in
newspaper circles. Some of the jour.
nalists frankly say they are mystified
and more or less alarmed notWith
standing that the regulations are sup
posed to apply only to religious peri
odicals or those Of marked religious
tendencies"