RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 13

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.

THE TROUBLE IN MEXICO, FATE OF ROMAN CATHOLICS. A. and N.Z„ ' ROME, Dec. 20, The Pope held a secret meeting of the Consistory Court at which, in an address to the Cardinals, h© strongly denounced the Mexican persecution of Roman Catholics, which,, he said, was characterised by inhuman ferocity and impiety. Recent news showed that the persecution was even more cruel than had been supposed. Bishops had been torn from their sees, priests and people had been imprisoned and slaughtered, even while praying, and private schools had been persecuted. The Popei warned French Catholics that they must not co-operate in the programme of putting politics before religion, or accept the leadership of newspapermen whose writings are condemned by Catholic dogma and morality. Referring to Signor Mussolini's recent I escape from assassination the Pope said it was due to the almost visible intervention of Providence. I He deplored that Catholic persons had ' been attacked and buildings and organisations devastated at a moment when he himself, the bishops and the faithful were united in a service of thanksgiving at Signor Mussolini's escape, and bo rejoiced that the Government had punished the perpetrator^