CHURCH AND STATE

Otago Witness, Issue 2757, 16 January 1907, Page 33

CHURCH AND STATE

PARIS, January 11 A prie6t has been acquitted at Toulon on a charge of celebrating ma6s without giving the authorities notification. The court declared that neither the law of 1905 nor that of 1881 was applicable. MADRID, January 10. The Spani.-h bishops have unanimously protested to King Alfonso that if the Associations Bill u> passed it will produce cruel conflicts of conscience. Those comphing with its enactments will incur excommunication, with the censure inflicted for the invasion of Papal rights, jurisdiction, and authority. King Alfonso replied that as the constitutional Sovereign, and with all due respect to the prelates, he could merely hand the petition to his lesponsible Minister, as he had done in the case of all previous addie^es on the subject. ROME. January 12. A Papal encyclical has been issued expressing a desire to comfort the Church in Fiance in her sufferings. It assures her that her trials will lead to final victory, wherefore the union of the Holy Hoe is indispensable. It afeo affirms that the German Public Worship Associations arc nieiely tolerated, not approved, although, unlike the French associations, the> are recognised by the hierarchy. It moreover affirms the determination of tint Papacy to defend the inviolability of lhi churches and their pioperty and liberty. The encyclical denounces the Frenel Association Law at, a confiscation of pro pcity. and anarchy in the matter of publi« worship.