FRANCE

New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1913, Page 55

FRANCE

THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY. The Comte de Mun, writing in I'Echo de Paris on ' France and the Holy See,' has some strong words on the present situation of the Church in France. ' I have,' he concludes, ' purposely only spoken of national interests, not of Catholic ones. It is for France that I am anxious, not for the Church. Whether the latter be united to or separated from the State, whether she be respected or condemned, supported or abandoned, she will still pursue, without, as within, her immortal task. But how will France, denuded of the strength Catholicism gives her, fulfil even the secular work which lies before her V

THE BASILICA OF MONTMARTRE. The Basilica of Montmarare is fast approaching completion. The interior improvements of the great church will be finished in the spring of 1914. The bronze doors and the carved wood stalls are designed and will soon be commenced. Several of the smaller chapels are being completed. Operations go on regularly, but slowly, and, considering the heavy claims that press upon. the French Catholics, it is a standing miracle that money should be forthcoming to pursue the tremendous work. The story of the origin of the Basilica is an interesting one: it was founded after the Franco-German war and the ' Commune' as an offering of expiation, by a group of priests and laymen. But, still more extraordinary than its foundation, is the story of how, during the last forty years, money for the achievement of the work continues to pour in. The most magnificent gifts of money are often anonymous : they have come occasionally from poorly dressed persons, whose name and station remain a secret. The work appeals not only to the faith ot the devout, but also to their patriotism, and this big, white church, set above their restless capital, is a perpetual protection and a continual prayer.

GOVERNMENT INCONSISTENCY. France is a land of strong contrasts. There are no Catholics more faithful to the Church and to the principles their religion inculcates than the practising French Catholics, and there are scarcely any enemies of the Church more contemptible than Frenchmen who are under the domination of anti-Christian organisations. Of these are the members of the Government. Even the President of the Republic upon whose sense of justice French Catholics have been placing some reliance, has not sufficient courage to perform a single act displeasing to the foes of Christianity (remarks the Catholic Times). At Toulouse he sought the applause of the anti-clericals by declaring that he supported the policy of the neutral or godless school. M. Baudin, the Minister of Marine, has given orders that the French warships are to observe Good Friday in a Christian manner when they are in foreign ports, but not' when they are at home! The French marine is to be a pagan when he is in French waters and a Christian when he is abroad. At Smyrna and the Piraeus, it is stated as an explanation of M. Baudin's order, French vessels got into disfavor and French influence was injured because French worships failed to take part in the usual Christian ceremonies on Good Friday. How greatly French prestige will be raised when foreigners know that henceforward on Good Friday France, though pagan at home, will figure abroad as a Christian nation !