FRANCE AND THE POPE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 15

FRANCE AND THE POPE.

The Paris correspondent of The Times writes on 10th April: The Figaro brings tidings to-day that the Popo is not disposed to accept tho associations cultuelles, which, according to the Separation Law, are to represent the material interests of the Church in Franco. The "very well-informed person" from whom the Figaro receives this news Hays that it is no longer possible to ignore the fact that the Pope has irrevocably decided to refuse to authorise the creation of tho associations cultuelles, and that, the Cardinals and prelates are almost unanimously in agreement with him. Tho Separation Law is definitely regarded "as a sort of civil institution of the clergy grafted upon a spoliation which the Holy Father can no more accept than his predecessors did the first constitution civile. To lend itself to such degradation and subjection would be to dishonour the Church, and it is considered that a martyred Church is better than a dishonoured Church. It is said that martyrdom vivifies whilu dishonour kills. Up to the present all who came to Rome tb offer advice were welcome, whatever their opinions were, but now the door is closed against all who favour conciliation. The Pope is weary of the pusillaniinqus counsels with which ho has been beset, and with Uie invincible serenity -of a mail of faith is resolved to accomplish what he regards as his duty towards Christendom." Referring to, the appeal mado by M. Brunetiere and other leading French Catholics to tho episcopal o in favour ol a fair trial of the Separation Law, this

writer says that ,the Vatican has been grieved by the "irregularity of an intervention which would constitute a most perilous precedent." Ho goes on to eny that one of the dangers most foared by the Pope is tho effect which a capitulation in France would have up- ! on his position in other Catholic countries with which the Holy See i» bound Ibv the Concordat. If he resigned him- ' self to the breaking of that contract by France and the substitution for _ it, without previous agreement with himself, of a lay system, that example would not fail to bo followed by all the other Catholic countries, and tho whole international organisation of the Church would fall "to pieces. "Therefore, in order to avoid being dispossessed every, where, the Holy Sco feels bound tq show itself inexorably irreconcilable in, France." In conclusion, the informant of the Figaro explains the Pope's delay in givin° his orders, which aro anxiously awaited by the Catholics of France. Ho postpones doing so until after the elections, hoping that tho constituencies wilj not cull upon their representatives to apply the "iniquitous" Separation Law in a lenient fashion, but will retjueat them to revoke it and restore the budget of public worship, which would necesuarily be followed by the renewal of relations with the Uoly Sfjo and the conclusion of a new Concordat. The Pope does not propose to submit to the French Bishops decisions already taken, which he considers to belong solely tq his oivn apostolic authority. The Debuts, which has received similai information from Rome, is, however, loth to give it unreserved ci-idenco, and remarks that for tho last 3o years every time the Catholics organised themselves! us a party and went fo battle they were routed. All their political enterprises, ended in defeat, and after each defeat they have lost more ground.