A Twentieth Century Inquisition
PEOPLE who advocate a union of religion and the state in this country, or the use of the civil power to maintain religious institutions, might with much profit consider the present working of the church-and-state system in Spain. In that country, it appears from recent reports, Protestants are subjected to every kind of annoyance and every form of persecution which the law will permit, and zealous religionists are not always careful to keep within the limits of the law in their efforts to suppress a “heretical” form of worship. Toleration is accorded in some degree to Protestantism in Spain, and Protestants are frequently reminded that “toleration” does not always tolerate. The privileges which are condescendingly allowed to Protestantism by the representatives of the prevailing religion, constitute a very slight bulwark against the intolerance of its enemies. There is a vast difference between being tolerated, and being accorded religious freedom as a natural right. The disabilities to which Protestants are subject in Spain is attracting some attention in other lands, and are the subject of a recent article in the Independence Belge, of Brussels, Belgium, some extracts from which are given in Public Opinion, under the heading, “Twentieth Century Inquisition in Spain.” “The struggle which the Protestants are having with the Catholics to-day in Spain remind one,” says Public Opinion, “of the palmy days of the Inquisition. Although the outside world seldom hears of this fierce battle, a recent occurrence has thrown a glaring light over the machinations of the church, and even of the king, in their efforts to stifle the practise of the Protestant faith. And this notwithstanding the fact that Article II of the Spanish constitution guarantees the freedom of Protestant worship provided it occurs ‘private.’” What this occurrence was, and the interpretation put upon the word “private” by those zealous for the suppression of Protestant worship, is set forth at length in the Independence Belge. In connection with these statements it should be remembered that a movement for Sunday enforcement is now sweeping over portions of Europe, notably France, Italy, and Spain, which has borrowed much of its force from the example of the United States in this respect. It is only natural that in Spain such a movement should stimulate zeal for the supremacy of the Catholic system of worship, and a corresponding hostility toward true Protestantism. Quoting from the Independence Belge, Public Opinion says:— The writer in the Independence Belge uses as a basis for his article the recent action of the bishop of Barcelona. This man has drawn down upon his head the general condemnation of the Spaniards by publishing private letters of Senor Villaverde and of the king, these individuals promising to do everything they could to stamp out the nauseous Protestant faith. “The methods of the Barcelona churchmen are identical with those pursued by other Spanish religious fanatics. If a Protestant body desires to erect a church or school in Spain, it finds the way beset with innumerable obstacles as a result of the work of the Catholic priests and churchmen. These men first try to create an atmosphere hostile to ‘the projects of the heretics’ among the people, and particularly among the women of all classes. And this because the influence of the women in religious questions in Spain is very great. After this has been accomplished, everything possible is done to delay the progress of, or to prevent the erection and purchase of, buildings of any sort. In order to do this, influence is brought to bear on the building departments, building inspectors, and sanitary officials. “The bishop of Barcelona used all of the above measures and more to prevent the erection of a Protestant church in his city, but when he saw he could not prevent the ultimate consummation of the plan, he wrote to the king and Senor Villaverde in reference to the matter, receiving compromising replies which in a spirit of vindictive rage and religious fanaticism he has seen fit to publish. In his letter the king declares that ‘as a Catholic king and submissive and devout son of the only true church, I am deeply pained at the new attempt against the faith of our ancestors, and against the religion of the state, the destinies of which have been confided to me by divine providence. I do not hesitate to assure you, Senor Cardinal, that I will do everything possible to crush the plans which your eminence has disclosed to me.’ The publication of this letter and one from M. Villaverde, far more servile, has aroused the bitter protest of the rank and file of the Spanish press. The honorable cardinal, however, with cynical indifference, has replied by having thousands of copies of the letters published, and these he is distributing. “On their side the ‘heretical Protestants’ have replied by sending a deputation to Senor Villaverde, which petitioned for an observance of the rights guaranteed by the constitution, and at the same time presented to the premier a list of grievances. The Protestants declare that the people have been stirred up against them; that they have been prevented from carrying on their worship; that difficulties have been thrown in their way when they try to find work in order to support themselves; that Spanish Protestants in hospitals and at the hour of death have been persecuted and compelled to accept the office of a priest instead of a minister of their faith. These and other griefs are elaborated in the petition, and as it has the support of the British ambassador, something may result.”