Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-26

menI. also because our dtliuuc 10
Just obedience of orders and because
it is just defense of legitimate rights,
Therefore, confronting the impos-
sibility of practicing our sacred min
istry under the conditions imposed by
this decree, and after having con
suited the most holy father. his holt
ness, the Pope, and with his ratifica-
ton we order that after July 81, until
we order otherwise, all religious serv.
ices requiring the intervention Of
priests shall be suspended in all the
churches of the country.
Does Not Mean Introduction.
1--WE advise you, beloved sons, that
this is not meant to impose on you
the grave penalty Of introduction, but
we merely intend to use the only
weapon at present at our disposal to
protest against the anti-religious
clauses of the constitution and the
laws thereby sanctioned.
Church buildings viii not be closed,
so worshipers may pray within them.
The priests in charge OF the buildings
will be withdrawn in order to release
them from the penalties imposed by
the decree, and so priests will not
have to give the notifications required
by the law. We leave the churches
under the care of the worshipers,
and we are sure they win guard the
sanctuaries which they inherited from
ancestors or which they built them
selves for the worship of God.
las the law does not grant Catholic
primary schools the necessary per-
mission to impart religious teachings
TO which they are bound, we impose
it upon the conscience of all fathers
to prevent their sons from attending
schools where their faith and good
customs are endangered and where
the texts violate that religious neu-
trality recognized by the constitution
itself
1T is painful. indeed, to our pater-
nal heart that we are forced to adopt
such grave measures, for which we
assume full responsibility. But you
will understand by what has been
said that we cannot adopt other lines
of conduct
Urges Perseverance In Religion.
Have faith in US, beloved sons, as
we have faith in your unbreakable
loyalty. Let us all have faith In God.
But do not lead barren life because
of this confidence. Remember that
Nineveh was saved from destruction
by prayers OF penitents. Persevere
luTOuEH NOu nAlA tAAV hOAS o. "%SAA
PRAYERS. fasts and penitence also.
"Do not forget those poor priests
who are left without means to live.
Show your pain by refusing TO attend
mundane amusements. Seek by all
permissible and peaceful means annul'
ment of those laws that will deprive
you and your sons Of the priceless
and necessary treasure, religious life.
Neither your social standing, nor
orders you may receive. nor anything
whatsoever viii relieve you of the
grave crime before God and man OF
cooperating in the serious evils which
are brought about by the application
of the anti-Catholic laws.
And for a greater reason it is nee
essary to attach the shameful title of
traitor to our own religion and to ap-
ply heavy canonical penalties to any
persons who, under cover of so-called
popular action, may give information
against the clergy or sacred property"
This refers to the procedure whereby
persons may inform the government
of cases where the clergy or churches
own property forbidden by the consti-
tuition, enabling the government to
confseate such property, the identity
of their tnforners remaining secret
Recommendation Is Threatened.
Some of the penalties which the
Catholic Church may impose upon
persons who have been baptized there
in are:
"Excommunication of those who is.
sue laws, regulations or DEGREES
against the rights and liberty of the
church.
Recommendation of those who di.
rectly or Indirectly prevent the exer-
else of religious Jurisdiction.
Accommodation of those who
dare to bring bishop before laical
court.
RECOMMENDATION Of those giving
their names to Masonry or similar
sects that plot against the church or
against the church authorities.
communication of those who
usurp, themselves or through others,
ecclesiastical property of any nature,
or prevent those righttfully entitled to
such property from receiving its
benefits.
ION August / his holiness the Pope
and the whole Catholic world will pray
for the Mexican church. Let us Join
the holy father and our brothers
throughout the world in making that
day of special prayer and penitence.
Let US strengthen our spirits, re-
Numbering how Jesus was prosecuted
and reyiled, but resurrected. And so
with the Mexican church; after the
persecution 1t will be resurrected more
glorious than before"
The letter concludes by imparting
the pastoral benediction.