FRANCE AND THE CHURCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13358, 24 December 1906, Page 5

FRANCE AND THE CHURCH.

THE PUBLIC WORSHIP BILL.

United Press Association— By Electri< Telegraph . — Copyright.

Paris, 'December 22.

The French Chamber, by '41>3 to 166, adopted M. Briands Pu'bli« TH'orsnip

Bill. (M. Briand stated that ihe Government "had given Catholics liberty in oomanon with all other i-uikit.3, ««nd .it was not empoweired to £ivo ni< re. It trusted to the si-i\«o .'-f • the communal mayors, who. im'dar . ih. • Bill, a re atithorised to yive piiosts , tb" use of the' churches. "It will be to the mi,:iv>:t, rt the majority to hand c^'er the churches to the priests for the purpose of pub-^ lie" worship," said 31. Briatfd. The country was 'qtiiet, and approved of the v patient and moderate policy of the Government. ''•Waay bishops, when we ordered consideration, to be shown them om account, of their .age and infirmities, were so afra ; d to> compromise themipelves in the eyes of Rdme, that they begged to he expelled forcibly from their palaces, lest they should be suspected of having- an understanding with us. '■'Rome has been secretly an'cl vainly hoping for persecution and' violence in order to revive her religious faith amontgst Frenchmen. , We understood her and resolved; to legislate to 1 keep. Rome within legal limits." , ,