CHURCH AND STATE IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 7

CHURCH AND STATE IN FRANCE.

STATEMENT BY M. BR I AND. Bjf Trlfyrtph.— Aaw'auon.—

:'R*cciTcd December 23. 4.52 p-ia->

London*, December 22. The Chamber of Deputies, by 413 votes to 166, has adopted M. Briand's Public Worships Bill.

M. Briand said the Government had given Roman Catholics liberty in common with all other citizens, and it was not empowered to give more. The Government trusted to the good sense of the Communal Mayors, who, under the Bill, were authorised to give priest* the use of churches. It would be to the interest of the majority to hand over the churches to the priests for the purpose of public worship. The. country was quiet, and approved of the Government's patient and moderate policy. Many of the bishops when the Government ordered that consideration be shown to them on account of their age and infirmities were so afraid of compromising themselves in the eyes of Rome that they had begged to be expelled forcibly from their palaces, lest they should be suspected of having an understanding with the Government. Rome had been secretly and vainly hoping for persecution and violence, in order to revive religious faith amongst Frenchmen. The Government understood Rome, and had resolved to legislate to keep her within legal limits.