The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-01
MEXICO HITS
BACK At POPE
FOR CRITICISM
Pontiff'S EnCyClicaI Called
'BaSiCaIIy Vulgar in
Statement.
'SEDITI0N ACT CLAIMED
Catholic Clergy Charged
With Responsibility in
Oregon Killing.
'SEDITIoN ACT CLAIMED
BY JOHN r. MORRIS
United Press staff Correspondent

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 1.-Catholic
clergy we're charged with respons-
ibilify for the assassination of Pres
ident- Elect Obregon in 1928 in a
statement issued today rejecting the
government attitude and condemn
ing as "basically vulgar the en-
cyclical issued Friday by Pope Plus
XI.
The pope was charged with at
tempting to agitate opinion threat
ening at seditiouS movement"
The encyclical. attacking Mex
ico's anti-religious laws, was con-
demned as criminal interference by
home with our international
affairs"
The pope's message, addressed to
the Mexican episcopate, was called
utterly unjustif1ed, "basically viIl-
gar" and far from the humility
preached by Christ"
Tells Government Attitude
The Mexican statement came
from Louis Leon, director of the
newspaper Ell Nacional and recog-
nized leader of the national revo-
lutionary government party in
the chamber of deputies.
The statement was carefully pre-
pared. It was known to reflect the
attitude of the government.
"We should not be surprised at
the belated protest against legis-
lation issued by the federal govern
ment last December (when the
number of priests was restricted
inasmuch as the Vatican's attitude
has another explanation" the
statement said.
I'm recent months the prosecut-
ing authorities have made notable
progress in the investigation of
those responsible for the assassi-
nation of President-elect Obregon.
Lacking in Humility
Recently, Father Jiminez was
arrested, and in the nearest future,
it will be established that those di-
rectly responsible for the assassina-
ton of Obregon were the directors
of the Catholic Mexican clergy.
Perhaps on this account they
pretend to establish state of con-
f1ict with the Mexican revolutionary
movmeent to avoid the tremendous
responsibility of the clergy for the
assassination of MeXico's president
elect" the statement said.
Mexican legislation regarding
the religious question was issued in
accordance with our constitution,
and in the exercise of our sover-
eighty as an autonomous nation,
which we can not permit any for
eigner to discuss" the statement
said.
"The pope's observations on our
legislation was far from Christian
humility and lacking even in ele-
mentary courtesy"
Called Criminal Interference
The statement regretted that at a
time when the new government OF
General Rodriguez held full public
confidence" and when all opinions
are devoted to work with the OBJ
ject of national reconstruction,
there should come foreign intriguers
attempting to agitate public opin-
ion, and injecting therein Catholic
hate threatening seditious move
ment.
II believe that all Mexican opin-
ion, without distinction of creed,
energetically will condemn this
critical attitude. The whole world
may rest assured that the Mexican
government, backed by the popular
masses which are the backbone Of
the revolution, will answer with Sc
renity but with the utmost energy
this criminal interference of Rome
in our internal affairs"