CHURCH OUSTED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1931, Page 7

CHURCH OUSTED

SPAIN MAKES DECISION SEPARATION FROM STATE JESUITS TO BE DISBANDED T’u‘ : STORMY SCENES IN CORTES “WILL LEAD TO CIVIL WAR” CABINET RECONSTRUCTED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Madrid, Oct. 14. While youths were demonstrating outside and shouting “Down with the clergy,” the Cortes, by 287 votes to 45, approved the separation of the Church and the State. Religious orders whose activities are considered to endanger the State are to be disbanded and others submitted to severe regulations. The Cortes later decided to dissolve the Jesuit Order and hand over its properties to charitable institutions.

Senor Madarinaga, a Catholic Basque, declared that an army would be needed to expel the Jesuits from the north. Stormy scenes marked the debate. The new article of constitution prohibits religious orders from embarking in commercial undertakings and requires an annual statement of their financial dealings. Pro-churchites said Spain was next to Russia and Mexico for the anti-religious spirit and predicted that it would lead to. civil war.

The adoption of the article led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Senor Zamora, and a new Cabinet was formed. Senor Azana (formerly Minister of War) replaces Senor Zamora. Senor Quiroga, the ex-Minister of Marine, replaces Senor Maura, and Senor Giralt succeeds Senor Ouiroga. Anti-Jesuit demonstrations are proceeding in various parts of the country.