CHURCH REFUSES RITES

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1929, Page 9

CHURCH REFUSES RITES

VILLAGE UNDER INTERDICT

FRENCH SOCIETY REBELLIOUS

MEMBERS THREATEN FORCH

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian Press Association. Times Cable. Paris, Jan. 27.. The Archbishop of Aix has placed the village of Barbcntane under interdict owing to the rebellious proceedings of members of the Action Francaise. The local leader of the Action Francaise died, and the rites of the church were refused in accordance with long-stand-ing instructions. Two thousand supporters from neigh- i bouring districts bore the coffin to the church and conducted a service. They then marched to the cemetery, headed oy a cross, and chanted a service at the grave. - The clergy were absent throughout, and the Archbishop regarded the proceedings as an act of disobedience and usurpation of the church’s authority, and has withdrawn the clergy, forbidden masses and bell-ring-ing, and closed the church. Baptisms and marriages must be celebrated in adjoining parishes. Barbentane has always been a Royal-.-ist hot-bed. Members of the Action Francaise announce their intention of forcibly occupying the church. The newspaper Action Francaise blames both the Church and the State' for,« attempting to suppress Royalist sentiments,.