UNDER INTERDICT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 11

UNDER INTERDICT

ROYALIST FRENCH VILLAGE

ACTION FEANCAISE AT WORK

J "Times" Cables. ! PABIS, 27th January. Phe Archbishop of Aix has placed the village of Barbentaue under an interdict owing to the rebellious proceedings of the members of the Action Francaiso. The local .leader of the party died and the rites of tho church were refused in accordance with the long-standing instructions. Two thousand supporters from the neighbouring districts boro a coffin to tho church, conducted a service, anil marched to the cemetery headed by a -cross. They chanted the service at the grave. Tho clergy were absent throughout. The Archbishop regarded tho proceedings as an act of disobedience and a usurpation of the church's authority, and has withdrawn the clergy, forbidden masses and bellringing, and closed tho church. Baptisms and marriages must be celebrated in adjoining parishes.

Barbentane has always been a Boyalist hotbed. The members of the Afation Fraiicaisc announce r.heir intention of forcibly occupying the church. Tho Paris newspaper, "L'Action Francaise," blames both church and State for attempting to suppress Royalist sentiments.