The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-27
MEX|CANS FLOCK
TO CATHEDRALS
Continued From Page y


and exposure, four babies died in
the crush of waiting parents Mon
day.
The presidential decree providing
penalties for violation of the religious
laws of Mexico will become effective
Aug. l, and it is in protest against
this that the clergy has decided to
suspend its functions. The decree,
which reforms the penal code, COM
prises 3S articles and was signed by
President Gales and secretary Of the
interior Tejeda June "a
What is Provided
Clause one of the decree, which is
of especial interest to foreigners, pro
vides that ministers Of any creed
must be Mexicans by birth Infringe
ment will be punishable by a $3.50
fine or IS, days Imprisonment fol-
lowed by expulsion from the country,
as provided by article 33 Of the con-
stitution.
The new law will effectuate the old
constitutional provision that all
church property belongs to the State.
Religious orders will be prohibited
from acquiring or administering
property or capital on penalty Of i'm
prisonment Of their individual mem
bers for from one to two years.
Converts, Monasteries Hit
Religious orders, converts and
monasteries will be dissolved when
all persons connected with them
have been identified. and members
again communing will be subject to
from one to two years in prison.
Superiors, prelates, priors or direc-
tors infringing the law will be liable
to six years in prison, except that
women shall suffer only two-thirds Of
the prescribed penalty.
One of the principal features of
this most comprehensive religious
law in Mexican history is the clause
providing for the secularization Of
all schools. 1t is estimated that
100000 children will be affected by
this clause. Those responsible for
private schools in which this clause
is violated will be fined $3.50 for the
first offense and will be ordered to
close their schools il the offense is
repeated.
Ban Explained
In abolishing religious orders,
Clause Of the decree says that the
State cannot permit any contract.
agreement or compact to be effective
which has for its object the loss
or sacrifice of mans liberty on ac-
count Of work Or religion views"
Any. individual practiclng his re-
ligion, or any minister of any creed,
who through public statements,
writing or sermons incites the pub.
lie to refuse to acknowledge exist
ing politicai institutions or to disobey
the law will be punished by six years
Imprisonment and fine. If disorders
result from the Indictment, the
punishment may be greater. Punish
ment also will be- provided for mem
bers Of groups using force, threats
or moral force against the author
tiles.
Newspapers Watched
Not only will all ministers be for
hidden to participate in religious
propaganda, either privately or
publicly, and forbidden to critise the
constitution. but newspapers having
religious tendencies will be for
hidden to comment on national pcli-
tics or to inform their readers of the
acts of the authorities, or of
particulars relating to the function
ing Of public institutions.
Political meetings in churches
will be forbidden, but religious cere-
monies may be held as usual.
Municipal authorities will be re-
quired to register all churches and
church properties with 80 days after
the decree becomes. effective and to
submit it to the secretary of the in
terror.
A copy of tins law has been posted
on the outside of every church in
Mexico.