The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-06-22
MEXICAN CATHOLICS
REJOICE At HOPES
OF Church SERVICE
Gil Government Moves to Re.
store Ecclesiastical Property
to Hierarchy
MAY HOLD MASS JUNE e
Ambassador Morrow Is Instru.
mental In Bringing Dispute
to Peaceful End
MAY HOLD MASS JUNE e


mental In Bringing Dispute
to Peaceful End
Mexico City, June 22.-(F)-The
Mexican religious question, which has
troubled the peace Of Mexico for the
past three years, has been solved BY
an agreement between the govern.
ment and the church.
BY the accord the Mexican govern
ment permitted broad interpreta-
ton Of the religious laws which the
Roman Catholic church found q sat-
isfactory basis for resuming services
In Mexico's Catholic churches.
The accord followed negotiations,
between President Portes Gil and two
eminent Mexican prelates, MonSignor
Leopoldo Ruiz y Flores, archbishop
Of Michoacan, and Bishop paScual
Diaz Of Tabasco. Simultaneous state
ments were issued by the men con-
cerned last night, thus bringing
toward an end the religious stalemate
Of the last three years.
There was hope the restoration
could proceed quickly enough to per.
NIT services In ct least some Of the
churches June 20. sacred to Saint
Peter, the first mass to be said In
the flower bedecked church of Nues-
ira Sonora de la Guadalupe. near the
capital.
The action followed rapidly an
nouncement last evening Of an ac-
cord between the Mexican govern
ment and the Roman church, in
which the Mexican government per-
mitted q broad Interpretation Of the
religious laws which the church found
q satisfactory basis for returning to
its former status.
Announce Peace
Announcements Of the accord were
made in simultaneous statements is-
sued by President Portes Gil at Cha
pultepec, and by ,Monsignor Leopoldo
Ruiz Flores, archbishop Of Michoacan,
who with Bishop Pascual DiaS Of
Tabasco acted for the vatican.
In the space Ct . few hours the
wheels Of governmental nDaehinery
had been set in motion I'd end the
religious StaleUate which had marked
Mexican national life since August /,
1895. when the Mexican episcopate
withdrew prize. :; from all churches In
protest ct what 1t claimed. were un-
fair legal restrictions.
Notable among the developments
were orders for release of all women
held on religious law violation charges
at Las Tres Marias. island prison col
ony; orders for immigration officials
1t border points to permit return to
Mexico Of any Catholic priest or prel-
ate; release Of 50 religious prisoners
in Mexico City; and orders for inven-
tory of church property preparatory
to turning 1t over to the priests.
VIII License Priests
The settlement between the Holy
See and Chapultepec was that
reached Monday. through Ambassador
Morrow as intermediary. after nego-
tiations which had been pending be-
tween President Portes Oil and the
two bishops had ended in deadlock.
After some delay papal approval was
obtained.
The Mexican government will per-
NIT the episcopate to designate those
priests who will register under the
religious laws, q provision which Will
prevent state license for clericS the
bishops have suppressed.
Religious instruction, while not per-
mitted In the schools. as prohibited
by the constitution, will be permitted
in the churches. !.
The Mexican prelates may apply 1t
any time In the future for modtflca-
ton of the constitution and religious
laws. this privilege being the same
allowed any other Mexican citizen.
Observers believed the agreement
10 be verbal only, and having force
only through the signed announce
ment Of the president. which stated
1t in the form Of q matter Of policy.
It was regard lei also Is settling only
the immediate and acute phase OF
the long controversy. which dated
back in intense form as far Is the
l850s.
The agreement provided for no
change in any Of the Mexican reli-
RIQuS I6W0s VI C4400AA4s8 DNs0 49, SsSss>sss
OF the constitution. Nor did IT mark
definite concession by the episcopate.
The problems provided BY national.
ization Of church property. such sup
preston Of eI,lesiastics as still exists
and other minor phases OF the long
controversy have not been settled, OBJ
servers considered.
Archbishop Ruiz in commenting on
the settlement said: II consider this
Is the beginning Of . real era @
peace for the republic which WIN
without doubt feel the benedictions
which come together with harmony
ana the clooe union Of Z whole nation
with III 3opernment.
President po9tes Gil's statement
said the government had no wish 70
threaten the ideuEity Of the church
Or take ccntfdl q its spiritual Offices.
TUG DIeJ0lNT1 CITY TRAFFIC
Cb(caGo. - ~ 80 A blunderiug sand
baree IN the Chicago rived dislcdsed
the old Ulafk street hridge and threw
1.~A 49,