CHURCH AND STATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20889, 3 June 1931, Page 9

CHURCH AND STATE.

PEACE SOUGHT IN ITALY.

PROTEST SENT TO SPAIN.

DEMAND FOR APOLOGY.

By Tclcsrapli— Press Association— Copyright

(Received Juno 2, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, Juno 1

Pope Pius has informed the Cardinals that tho Papal Nuncio, Monsignor Borgongoni Duca, lias formally protested against his treatment in Spain. The Prime Minister, Signoi Mussolini, has asked not only for apologies, but also that severe measures be taken against the ringleaders of the attacks on Roman Catholic property. Along with the Government's instructions to the newspapers not to refer to the dispute with the Church, the hierarchy has appealed to the bishops throughout the country to restrict their activities to their church duties, and not to take part in political organisations. Meanwhile diplomatic negotiations have been opened to seek a friendly sett lenient.. They are inspired by a statement from the Vatican that the State and the Vatican are most anxious to preserve the Concordat.

Several hundred of the Catholic Actionist Party's clubs have been closed, under an article in the police code designed to preserve public order. This was carried out without incident.

Signor Mussolini lias ordered a discontinuance of the newspaper campaign wliich was largely the cause of the Fascist anti-clerical manifestations.