The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-31
MEXICO FATHER
BEARS CHURCH
STRIFE BURDEN
Parent Enmeshed in Clash
of Orders by Bishops
and State.
This is the fourth and last Of series
on the religious situation in Mexico.
BY JACQUES D'ARMAND
United Press stan Correspondent
,r-o--.-f--s fq35 by United Pressl

,CopvriFht. 1885. BY United Press
MEXICO CITY. Jan. 31.-Upon
the Mexican head Of family, the
father Of children Of school age, has
fallen the greatest weight Of the
recently intensified church-state
conflict in Mexico.
Mexico's compulsory education law
makes it mandatory upon parents to
send their children to public or ap-
proved school curricula and refuses
licenses to private schools that do
not conform.
On the other hand, pastoral let
ter recently isued by Archbishop
Ruiz Y Flores. papsl delegates to
Mexico. forbids all Catholic parents
to send their children to such
schools under pain Of excommunica-
ton. the church's most rigid punish
ment.
Situation in Deadlock
With approximately 95 per cent
of Mexican parents members OF the
Catholic Church, the situation IS
regarded as one that must bring
about a crisis in the church-state
deadlock. Parents must either open
II defy the constituted law of the
republic by refusing TO send their
children to school or incur the
penalties Of canonical law. In either
case the parent incures the wrath
of civil or ecclesiastical authority.
The pastoral letter, issued from
San Antonio, Tex, where Archbishop
Ruiz Y Flores is eXiled and under
indictment on charges of fOment-
ing rebellion in Mexico, left no
doubt as to the determination OF
the church to use all its power TO
combat sOcialistic education. In
fOrceful language it denies the right
of the government to Interfere in
family control of the child's edUca-
ton. A section Of the letter says:
The church recognizes no hui
man power to prevent it from doing
what it considers necessary to save
souls. In spiritual matters it is
subordinate to no one. The ideal
situation would be a harmonious
one with the church united with the
state for the general good, but
where this is denied. the church
will tolerate separation of the two
powers only so long as the civil
power does not interfere in what
does not concern 1t.
Church in Mourning
1--WE definitely prohitit Catholics
under the penalty o. curing
sanctions establish Jlical
law from learninc. y af-
<ectively CO-Oper9 ming
or teaching what is i5tic
education, to wit: tn be-
longs to the state an 10 the
family. that the educG,4cl of the
child should strive by all means to
uproOt from the soul of the child all
religious ideas, event to the exist
ence of God. Wherefore, we def
nitely forbid Catholics from opening
or supporting schools in which So
cialism is taught. and also pro-
hibit Catholic fathers from sending
children to such schools"
The letter also bars all members
of the National Revolutionary party
from receiving the holy sacrament
or participating actively in any re-
ligiouS ceremony and forbids Cath
olics to incur unusual expense or
indulge in eXtravagant amusement,
adding that the church is in
mourning"
Church Schools Closed
All schools heretofore operated
directly or indirectly by the church
have closed definitely. Foreign
schools operated privately. including
American. English, German and
French institutions. have remained
closed since the Christmas vaca-
tionS pending issuance of instruc-
tons from the Federal Department
of Education containing regulations
under which they will be allowed
to operate.
< Most of them have announced
that they will reopen in cOmph-
,ance with the socialiStic education
law.
Catholic parents accept the stu
alton with various emotions. Some
of them, mostly American Catho-
lies, are entering their children IN
schools in the United States. 9th
ers who can not afford to take such
action are hoping for a turn in the
situation that Will enable them to
educate their children and keep
peace with both church and state.